A Vindication of the Right’s of Women By Mary Wollstonecraft A Biography & Introduction by : Mr. Morgan

Wollstonecraft’s early life Feminist writer and intellectual Mary Wollstonecraft was born on April 27, 1759 in London. She was raised by her abusive father who often spent the family money on unsuccessful ventures in farming. Her father’s antics and mother’s death caused her to set out on her own.

Wollstonecraft’s early life (con’t) Wollstonecraft went to live with her friend Fanny Blood -- a family enclave that made its living by needlework and painting. Her sister Eliza escaped the home by marriage. Her husband believed she suffered a nervous breakdown as a result of having a child so he called for Mary. Mary believed it was the marriage itself that caused the breakdown and helped her sister escape the marriage and helped her filed for a legal seperation.

Wollstonecraft’s early life (con’t) In 1784 Wollstonecraft along with Eliza and Flanny Blood opened up a school because Mary was disappointed with the lack of professional opportunities for women. In 1785, Flanny leaves to school to accept a marriage offer and once she becomes pregnant begs Mary to help her through childbirth. Mary does assist her and this places the school in danger because of her absence. Mary’s friend dies after delivery and the baby dies soon afterwards.

Wollstonecraft’s early life (con’t) Wollstonecraft found her school in untenable financial condition and was forced to close it. She wrote a book called, Thoughts on the Education of Daughters (1787) based on her education experience which was not successful. She was still determined to earn her living by the pen and eventually joined the publishing company, the Analytical Review where she met other famous writers such as: Thomas Paine, William Blake, William Wordsworth and William Godwin.

Wollstonecraft’s early life (con’t) Wollstonecraft wrote Vindication of the Rights of Men (1790) in response to Burke’s Reflection of the Revolution of in France where she attacked him for defending land property over human rights and patriarchy. This made her well known as a writer over night. Two years later we saw the publication of the work that made her famous and that survives the centuries for the depth and cogency of its analysis, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, published in 1792.

Wollstonecraft’s Later Life Wollstonecraft left for Paris in the same year and fell in love with Gilbert Imlay, an American adventurer. They had an illegitimate daughter together and eventually Imlay leaves her and their daughter together. She returns to London and the literary circle and where she begins a romance with William Goodwin. They married soon afterwards so their child together would be legitimate .

Wollstonecraft’s Later Life Wollstonecraft gave birth to her second child and named her Mary. The delivery went well but the placenta broke during birth and became infected. Wollstonecraft died leaving behind her husband and two children. Her tombstone reads, “Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, Author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: Born 27 April 1759: Died 10 September 1797.”

Introduction to a Vindication Edmund Burke wrote The Revolution in France in which he supported the American colonist in their rebellion against England. This was scandalous during this time and defended “the aristocratic concepts of paternalism, loyalty, chivalry, the hereditary principle.”

Introduction to a Vindication Wollstonecraft wrote, A Vindication of the Rights of Men in response to Burke novel. Wollstonecraft argues : -people should be judged on their merits, not their birthright - emphasizes the benefits of hard work, self-discipline, frugality - Believed society could progress through rational debate

Introduction to a Vindication In 1791 Charles Maurice reported to the French National Assembly that women should only receive a domestic education which infuriated Wollstonecraft. She took to her pen to share her grievances, and this was how A Vindication of the Rights of Woman was born.

Introduction to a Vindication Wollstonecraft responds to those educational and political theorists of the 18th century who did not believe women should have an education. Wollstonecraft maintains that they [women] are human beings deserving of the same fundamental rights as men. She goes on to argue that women ought to have an education commensurate with their position in society, claiming that women are essential to the nation because they educate its children and because they could be companions to their husbands instead of wives.

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication How does Wollstonecraft begins A Vindication of the Rights of Women? (Consider how she feels and what two differences does she identify about the treatment of men and women.) She begins by saying she’s been feeling depressed lately. After looking at the history of humanity, she has decided that men and women are either very different or history has been extremely unfair to women.

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication What conclusion does Wollstonecraft comes to after she oftens “turned over various books written on the subject of education”?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication Define simile and metaphor. Explain the simile and metaphor Wollstonecraft implores in regard to women.

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication What reason does Wollstonecraft provide for men not allowing women to have a general education?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication What does Wollstonecraft have to say about the previous works of literature that were written on the improvement of women in society?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication According to Wollstonecraft what separates the human species from brute creation?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication What question does Wollstonecraft feel she can’t avoid and what opinion does she offer?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication Virtue: a trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being.

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication What misconceptions does Wollstonecraft point out in the labeling of a “masculine women”?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication Why does Wollstonecraft want to appeal to the middle class? What does she mean by “natural state”?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication What does Wollstonecraft mean when she says it is necessary for her to give a “cursory account of the contents of the work it introduces”?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication Wollstonecraft redirects this section of in her audience to another group: identify said group and what does she want for them.

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication Why does Wollstonecraft want women to dismiss ‘feminine phrases”? What are some example those phrases? What does Wollstonecraft have to say about virtue in this section?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication Define the literary device diction. How would you describe Wollstonecraft’s diction? What does Wollstonecraft tell us about her language use going forward?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication Define the literary device diction. How would you describe Wollstonecraft’s diction? What does Wollstonecraft tell us about her language use going forward?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication How does she feel about the language that has already been used in regards to how writers/society addresses women?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication What are Wollstonecraft’s thoughts on marriage and its affect on women?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication Has Wollstonecraft’s tone changed? What is her critique of society in regard to women?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication What misconceptions does Wollstonecraft point out men have when it comes to the idea of educated women?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication What are some examples of the mistaken notion of “female excellence” Wollstonecraft believes women fall under?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication How should we understand Wollstonecraft’s final statement in her introduction to Vindication?

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication Summary of her major points: Women’s interest in dressing up and looking pretty is a primary case of nurture, rather than nature. Women should speak their minds without being perceived as “masculine”.

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication 3. Women’s poor education is what makes them miserable and teaches them to be superficial. 4. Wollstonecraft admits men are stronger than women but brute strength shouldn’t count for much.

Introduction: An Analysis of Vindication 5. It is clear to Wollstonecraft that women have been unnaturally stunted in their growth by a society that wants to keep them as weak as possible. She is confident that rational argument will prove that it is in everyone’s interest for women to receive a better education.