A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
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ISBN:0521436338
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Composed during the tumultuous years of the French Revolution, Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman is one of the earliest works of feminist philosophy. In Wollstonecraft’s own day the term “feminist” did not exist, but many of Wollstonecraft’s ideas constitute what we today would call feminist: she promoted equality in education, championed rational thought for all people, and objected to the classification of women as mere emotional creatures. In a groundbreaking move, Wollestonecraft argues that women should be educated rationally in order to make them useful to society—as true companions to their husbands and as mothers to the nation’s children. She belittles authors who argue that women were too fragile or sensitive for abstract, intellectual thought, and responds that women are not only capable of such thought, but must pursue it in order to better their world. Although Wollestonecraft stops short of claiming absolute equality between men and women, her insistent philosophy about the importance of women continues to exercise a great influence over ideas about equality today.
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Opening Lines (Experimental)
BY MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT.
TO M. TALLEYRAND PERIGORD, LATE BISHOP OF AUTUN.
Having read with great pleasure a pamphlet, which you have lately published, on National Education, I dedicate this volume to you, the first dedication that I have ever written, to induce you to read it with attention; and, ...
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4/5
Reviewed by Christiana on May 7, 2009
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
Splendid! Wordy, with flowery speech; while still managing to be profound.
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Ratings for 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman' by Wollstonecraft, Mary
| charlottevalle | ![]() | 2008-10-01 | |
| Christiana | ![]() | Read review | 2009-05-07 |
| jmdrew | ![]() | 2009-03-16 | |
| Xena13 | ![]() | 2010-10-13 |
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
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