AU Management Power, Lies, Society Discussion

IT IS
TIME TO EFFECT A
REVOLUTION
IN
FEMALE MANNERS-TIME TO
RESTORE THEM
TO THEIR LOST DIGNiTY-
AND MAKE THEM,
AS A PART OF
THE HUMAN SPECIES
PENGUIN BOOKS
Great Ideas
Mary WoUstonecraft
A
Vindication of the Rights
of Woman
PENGUIN BOOKS
—
GREAT IDEAS
PENGUIN BOOKS
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This edition published in Penguin Books (UK) 2004
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Reprinted from
A
10
8642
Vindication of the Rights of
Woman,
edited and introduced by Miriam Brody
(Penguin Classics, 1975).
ISBN
0 14 30.3750
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Contents
Author’s Introduction
The
Prevailing Opinion of a Sexual
Character Discussed
The Same
Subject Continued
Observations on the State of Degradation
to
which
Woman is Reduced by
Various Causes
Morality Undermined by Sexual Notions
of the Importance of a
Of the
Good
Reputation
Pernicious Effects which Arise from
the Unnatural Distinctions Established
in Society
On
National Education
Some
Instances of the Folly
which the
Ignorance of Women Generates; with
Concluding Reflections on the Moral
Improvement
that a Revolution in
Female Manners Might Naturally Be
Expected to Produce
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in
2014
https://archive.org/details/vindicationofrightOOwoll
Author’s Introduction
After considering the historic page, and viewing the
living
world with anxious
solicitude, the
most melan-
choly emotions of sorrowful indignation have depressed
my
spirits,
and
have sighed when obliged to confess
I
made
that either Nature has
man
a great difference
between
and man, or that the civilization which has hitherto
taken place in the world has been very
partial.
have
I
turned over various books written on the subject of
education, and patiently observed the conduct of parents
and the management of schools; but what has been
the result? – a profound conviction that the neglected
education of my fellow-creatures
the misery
rendered
I
deplore, and that
weak and wretched by
causes, originating
the grand source of
in particular, are
a variety of concurring
from one hasty conclusion. The con-
duct and manners of
that their
is
women,
women,
minds are not
in fact, evidently
prove
in a healthy state; for, like the
flowers which are planted in too rich a
soil,
strength and
usefulness are sacrificed to beauty; and the flaunting
leaves, after
having pleased a fastidious eye, fade,
garded on the
stalk,
long before the season
ought to have arrived
barren blooming
cation, gathered
by
men who,
I
at maturity.
One
attribute to a false
when
they
cause of this
system of edu-
from the books written on
considering females rather as
I
disre-
this subject
women than
Mary
Wollstonecraft
human creatures, have been more anxious to make them
and rational
alluring mistresses than affectionate wives
mothers; and the understanding of the sex has been
so bubbled by this specious homage, that the civilized
women
of the present century, with a few exceptions,
when
are only anxious to inspire love,
cherish a nobler ambition, and
by
they ought to
their abilities
and
virtues exact respect.
In a treatise, therefore,
on female
rights
and manners,
the works which have been particularly written for their
improvement must not be overlooked, especially when
it is asserted, in direct terms, that the minds of women
are enfeebled by false refinement; that the books of
instruction, written by men of genius, have had the same
tendency as more frivolous productions; and that, in the
true style of Mahometanism, they are treated as a kind
human
of subordinate beings, and not as a part of the
species,
when improvable
dignified distinction
creation,
and puts
Yet, because
I
reason
which
raises
is
allowed to be the
men
above the brute
a natural sceptre in a feeble hand.
am
a
readers to suppose that
woman, I would not lead my
I mean violently to agitate the
contested question respecting the quality or inferiority
my way, and
cannot
of the
sex;
pass
over without subjecting the main tendency of my
it
but as the subject
lies in
reasoning to misconstruction,
deliver, in a
few words,
of the physical world
point of strength
is
is,
I
shall stop a
my opinion.
it is
In the
I
moment
to
government
observable that the female in
in general, inferior to the male. This
the law of Nature; and
it
does not appear to be
suspended or abrogated in favour of woman.
2
A
degree
A
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
of physical superiority cannot, therefore, be denied, and
it is
a noble prerogative!
men
pre-eminence,
But not content with this natural
endeavour to sink us
lower,
still
merely to render us alluring objects for a moment; and
women,
intoxicated
by the adoration which men, under
the influence of their senses, pay them, do not seek to
become
amusement
obtain a durable interest in their hearts, or to
who
the friends of the fellow-creatures
find
in their society.
am
I
aware of an obvious inference. From every
quarter have
heard exclamations against masculine
I
women, but where are
appellation men mean to
they to be found?
virtues, or,
if it
by
this
inveigh against their ardour in
hunting, shooting, and gaming,
join in the cry; but
If
I
shall
most
cordially
be against the imitation of manly
more properly
speaking, the attainment of
those talents and virtues, the exercise of which ennobles
the
human
scale of
character,
animal being,
termed mankind,
sophic eye must,
may
every day
all
I
and which
raises
females in the
when they are comprehensively
who view them with a philo-
those
should think, wish with me, that they
grow more and more masculine.
This discussion naturally divides the subject.
first
tures,
earth to unfold their faculties; and afterwards
more
I
shall
I
women in the grand light of human creawho, in common with men, are placed on this
consider
I
shall
particularly point out their peculiar designation.
wish also to steer clear of an error which
many
respectable writers have fallen into; for the instruction
which has hitherto been addressed to women, has rather
been applicable to ladies, if the little indirect advice that
3
Mary
is
Wollstonecraft
scattered through ‘Sandford and Merton’ be excepted;
but, addressing
my
sex in a firmer tone,
I
pay particular
attention to those in the middle class, because they
appear to be in the most natural
of
false
refinement, immorality, and vanity, have ever
been shed by the
above the
a
Perhaps the seeds
state.
great.
Weak,
common wants
and
artificial
beings, raised
affections of their race, in
premature unnatural manner, undermine the very
foundation of virtue, and spread corruption through the
whole mass of society! As
a class of
mankind they have
the strongest claim to pity; the education of the rich
tends to render
mind
is
which
them vain and helpless, and the unfolding
not strengthened by the practice of those duties
dignify the
human
character.
They only
live to
amuse themselves, and by the same law which in Nature
invariably produces certain effects, they soon only afford
barren amusement.
But
as
I
purpose taking a separate view of the different
ranks of society, and of the moral character of
in each, this hint
is
for the present sufficient;
only alluded to the subject because
it
women
and
appears to
I
have
me
to
be the very essence of an introduction to give a cursory
account of the contents of the work
My own sex,
I
it
hope, will excuse me,
introduces.
if 1 treat
them like
rational creatures, instead of flattering their fascinating
graces,
and viewing them
as if
they were in a state of
perpetual childhood, unable to stand alone.
wish to point out
ness consists.
I
in
what
true dignity and
wish to persuade
women
I
earnestly
human happito
endeavour
to acquire strength, both of
mind and body, and
convince them that the
phrases, susceptibility of
soft;
4
to
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
A
heart, delicacy of sentiment,
and refinement of taste, are
almost synonymous with epithets of weakness, and that
those beings
who
are only the objects of pity,
kind of love which has been termed
become
and that
will
its sister,
soon
objects of contempt.
Dismissing,
which the
then,
those
pretty
feminine
phrases,
men condescendingly use to soften our slavish
dependence, and despising that weak elegancy of mind,
and sweet
exquisite sensibility,
docility of manners, sup-
posed to be the sexual characteristics of the weaker
vessel,
I
that the
wish to show that elegance
character as a
of
sex,
this
inferior to virtue,
human being,
is
to obtain a
regardless of the distinction
and that secondary views should be brought to
simple touchstone.
This
my
is
object of laudable ambition
first
is
a
rough sketch of my plan; and should I express
conviction with the energetic emotions that
I
feel
whenever I think of the subject, the dictates of experience
and reflection will be felt by some of my readers. Animated by this important object, I shall disdain to cull my
phrases or polish my style. I aim at being useful, and
sincerity will render
to persuade
by the
by the elegance of
me
unaffected; for wishing rather
force of
my
my
arguments than dazzle
language,
I
shall
not waste
my
time in rounding periods, or in fabricating the turgid
bombast of
things,
which, coming from the
artificial feelings,
head, never reach the heart.
I
shall
be employed about
not words! and, anxious to render
respectable
members of society,
I
my
shall try to
sex
more
avoid that
flowery diction which has slided from essays into novels,
and from novels into familiar
5
letters
and conversations.
Mary
These pretty
Wollstonecraft
dropping
superlatives,
tongue, vitiate the
taste,
and create
glibly
a kind of sickly deli-
away from simple unadorned
cacy that turns
a deluge of false sentiments
from the
truth;
and overstretched
and
feelings,
stifling the natural
emotions of the heart, render the
domestic pleasures
insipid, that
exercise of those severe duties,
ought to sweeten the
which educate a rational
and immortal being for a nobler
of action.
field
The education of women has of
late
attended to than formerly; yet they are
and ridiculed or
frivolous sex,
endeavour by
is
pitied
still
been more
reckoned a
by the writers who
improve them. It
satire or instruction to
acknowledged that they spend many of the first years of
their lives in acquiring a smattering of accomplishments;
meanwhile strength of body and mind
are sacrificed to
libertine notions of beauty, to the desire of establishing
themselves – the only
– by marriage. And
them,
when
way women can
this desire
rise in
the world
making mere animals of
they marry they act as such children
be expected to
act
– they
dress, they paint,
may
and nickname
God’s creatures. Surely these weak beings are only
for a seraglio!
Can they be expected
to
govern
fit
a family
with judgement, or take care of the poor babes
whom
they bring into the world?
fairly deduced from the present
from the prevalent fondness for
pleasure which takes place of ambition and those nobler
If,
then,
it
can be
conduct of the
sex,
passions that open and enlarge the soul, that the instruction
which
women
have hitherto received has only
tended, with the constitution of
them
civil society, to
insignificant objects of desire
6
render
– mere propagators
A
of fools! –
if it
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
can be proved that in aiming to accomplish
them, without cultivating their understandings, they are
made ridiculous
bloom of beauty is
taken out of their sphere of duties, and
and useless when the short-lived
over,
I
presume
men
that rational
will excuse
me
for
endeavouring to persuade them to become more mascu-
and respectable.
line
Indeed the word masculine
little
reason to fear that
is
women
only a bugbear; there
will acquire too
is
much
courage or fortitude, for their apparent inferiority with
respect to bodily strength
degree dependent on
but
why
should
it
must render them
in
some
men in the various relations of life;
be increased by prejudices that give a
sex to virtue, and confound simple truths with sensual
reveries?
Women
are, in fact, so
much degraded by mistaken
I do not mean to add
notions of female excellence, that
a paradox
when
I
assert that this artificial
weakness
produces a propensity to tyrannize, and gives birth to
cunning, the natural opponent of strength, which leads
them
to play off those contemptible infantine airs that
undermine esteem even whilst they excite desire. Let
men become more chaste and modest, and if women do
not grow wiser in the same ratio
have weaker understandings.
to say that
I
viduals have
now
It
it
will
seems scarcely necessary
speak of the sex in general.
more
Many indi-
sense than their male relatives; and, as
nothing preponderates where there
for
be clear that they
an equilibrium without
some women govern
their
it
is
a constant struggle
has naturally
more
gravity,
husbands without degrading
themselves, because intellect will always govern.
7
The Prevailing Opinion of a Sexual
Character Discussed
To
account
for,
and excuse the tyranny of man, many
ingenious arguments have been brought forward to
prove, that the
two
ought to aim
at attaining a
or, to
speak
explicitly,
sufficient strength
serves the
them
sexes, in the
women
Yet
souls, that there
by Providence
are not allowed to have
of mind to acquire what really de-
name of virtue.
to have
acquirement of virtue,
very different character;
to lead
it
is
should seem, allowing
but one
way
appointed
mankind to either virtue or
happiness.
If then
women are not a swarm of ephemeron triflers,
why should they be kept in ignorance under the specious
name of innocence? Men complain, and with reason, of
the follies and caprices of our sex, when they do not
keenly
vices.
satirise
Behold,
ignorance!
our headstrong passions and grovelling
I
should answer, the natural effect of
The mind
will ever
be unstable that has only
prejudices to rest on, and the current will run with
destructive fury
force.
when
there are
no
barriers to break
its
Women are told from their infancy, and taught by
the example of their mothers, that a
human
little
knowledge of
weakness, justly termed cunning, softness of
temper, outward obedience, and a scrupulous attention
to a puerile kind of propriety, will obtain for
the protection of
man; and should they be
9
them
beautiful.
Mary
everything else
is
Wollstonecraft
needless, for at least twenty years of
their lives.
Thus Milton
v^hen he
and sweet
describes our
first frail
women
us that
tells
attractive grace,
are
mother; though
formed
for softness
cannot comprehend his
I
meaning, unless, in the true Mahometan strain, he meant
to deprive us of souls,
and insinuate that we were beings
only designed by sweet attractive grace, and docile blind
obedience, to gratify the senses of man
when he can no
longer soar on the wing of contemplation.
How grossly do they insult us who thus advise us only
to render ourselves gentle, domestic brutes! For instance, the
winning softness so warmly and frequently
recommended,
by obeying. What
that governs
expressions, and
how
insignificant
be an immortal one? –
who
will
is
childish
the being – can
it
condescend to govern
by such sinister methods? ‘Certainly,’ says Lord Bacon,
‘man is of kin to the beasts by his body; and if he be not
of kin to God by his spirit, he is a base and ignoble
creature!’ Men, indeed, appear to me to act in a very
unphilosophical manner,
good conduct of
when
women by
they try to secure the
attempting to keep them
always in a state of childhood. Rousseau was more
consistent
when he wished to stop the progress of reason
men eat of the tree of knowledge,
women will come in for a taste; but, fi:”om the imperfect
cultivation which their understandings now receive, they
in
both
sexes, for if
only attain a knowledge of evil.
Children,
epithet
is
I
grant, should
applied to
for weakness.
For
be innocent; but
men, or women,
if it
it is
but a
be allowed that
10
when
civil
the
term
women were
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
A
destined by Providence to acquire
by the
human
virtues, and,
exercise of their understandings, that stability of
character
which
is
the firmest ground to rest our future
hopes upon, they must be permitted to turn to the
fountain of
light,
and not forced to shape
by the twinkling of a mere
satellite.
their course
Milton,
I
grant,
was
of a very different opinion; for he only bends to the
indefeasible right of beauty,
to render
though
two passages which
consistent.
I
it
would be
now mean
difficult
to contrast,
But into similar inconsistencies are great
men
often led by their senses:
To whom
thus Eve with perfect beauty adorn’ d.
My author and disposer,
Unargued
God
Is
is
I
obey; so
God
what thou
ordains;
thy law, thou mine: to
woman’s
happiest
bid’st
know no more
knowledge and her praise.
These are exactly the arguments that
children; but
strength, and,
have added, your reason
I
till it
you must look up
think,
and only
arrives at
to
rely
I
have used to
is
now
some degree of maturity,
me for advice, – then you
on God
[.
gaining
.
ought to
.]
manners of women, let us,
disregarding sensual arguments, trace what we should
endeavour to make them in order to co-operate, if the
In treating therefore of the
Supreme Being.
By individual education, I mean, for the sense of the
word is not precisely defined, such an attention to a child
as will slowly sharpen the senses, form the temper,
expression be not too bold, with the
regulate the passions as they begin to ferment, and set
II
Mary Wolbtonecraft
the understanding to
work
before the body arrives at
man may only have to proceed, not
maturity; so that the
to begin, the important task of learning to think
and
reason.
To
prevent any misconstruction,
I
must
add, that
I
do not believe that a private education can
work
wonders which some sanguine writers have
to it. Men and women must be educated,
attributed
the
in a great
by the opinions and manners of the society they
live in. In every age there has been a stream of popular
opinion that has carried all before it, and given a family
degree,
character, as
be inferred,
it
were, to the century.
that,
till
It
may
effect
for if but
that
if
is
however,
It is,
my present purpose to assert that, whatever
circumstances have on the
may become
fairly
society be differently constituted,
much cannot be expected from education.
sufficient for
then
abilities,
virtuous by the exercise of its
every being
own
reason;
one being was created with vicious inclinations,
positively bad,
we worship
a
God,
what can save us from atheism? or
is
not that
God
a devil?
Consequently, the most perfect education, in
opinion,
is
such an exercise of the understanding
best calculated to strengthen the
my
as
is
body and form the
heart. Or, in other words, to enable the individual to
attain such habits of virtue as will render
In fact,
virtues
it
is
a farce to call
do not
result
it
independent.
any being virtuous whose
from the exercise of its own reason.
This was Rousseau’s opinion respecting men;
to
women, and
I
extend
it
confidently assert that they have been
drawn out of their sphere by false refinement, and not
by an endeavour to acquire masculine qualities. Still the
12
A
regal
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
homage which they
until the
receive
manners of the times
on more reasonable
is
so intoxicating, that
and formed
are changed,
principles,
it
may be
impossible to
convince them that the illegitimate power which they
obtain by degrading themselves is a curse, and
must return to nature and equality if they wish
that they
to secure
the placid satisfaction that unsophisticated affections
impart. But for this epoch
we must
wait – wait perhaps
kings and nobles, enlightened by reason, and, prefer-
till
ring the real dignity of
their
gaudy hereditary
man
throw
off
women
do
to childish state,
and
trappings;
if
then
not resign the arbitrary power of beauty – they will
prove that they have
I
may be
what
I
less
mind than man.
accused of arrogance;
firmly believe, that
all
still
I
must declare
the writers
who have
written on the subject of female education and manners,
Dr Gregory, have contributed to renartificial, weak characters, than they
would otherwise have been; and consequently, more
useless members of society. I might have expressed this
conviction in a lower key, but I am afraid it would
from Rousseau
der
to
women more
have been the whine of affectation, and not the
faithful
expression of my feelings, of the clear result which experi-
ence and reflection have led
tion extends to the
me
to
draw
[.
.
.]
My objec-
whole purport of those books, which
tend, in
my
species,
and render
opinion, to degrade one-half of the
women
human
pleasing at the expense of
every solid virtue.
Though,
to reason
on Rousseau’s ground, if man did
mind when his body
attain a degree of perfection of
arrived at maturity,
it
might be proper, in order to make
13
Mary Wollstonecmft
a
man and
his wife one, that she
his understanding;
should rely entirely on
and the graceful
ivy, clasping the
oak
would form a whole in which strength
and beauty would be equally conspicuous. But, alas!
that supported
it,
husbands, as well as their helpmates, are often only
overgrown
scarcely
– nay, thanks to early debauchery,
in their outward form, – and if the blind
children,
men
lead the blind, one need not
come from heaven
to tell
us the consequence.
Many
are the causes that, in the present corrupt state
of society, contribute to enslave
their understandings
To do
by cramping
their senses.
more mischief than
perhaps, that silently does
rest, is their
women
and sharpening
One,
all
the
disregard of order.
everything in an orderly manner
is
a
most
important precept, which women, who, generally speaking, receive
only a disorderly kind of education, seldom

attend to with that degree of exactness that men,
who
from their infancy are broken into method, observe. This
negligent kind of guesswork – for what other epithet can
be used to point out the random exertions of
instinctive
common
a sort of
sense never brought to the test of
reason? – prevents their generalizing matters of
fact;
so
they do today what they did yesterday, merely because
they did
it
yesterday.
This contempt of the understanding in early
life
has
more baneful consequences than is commonly supposed;
for the
attain
knowledge which women of strong minds
from various circumstances, of a more desultory
little
is,
kind than the knowledge of men, and
by sheer observations on
real life
14
it is
acquired
more
than from comparing
A
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
what has been
individually observed with the results
of experience generalized by speculation. Led by their
dependent situation and domestic employments more
what they learn is rather by snatches; and
as learning is with them in general only a secondary
thing, they do not pursue any one branch with that
into society,
persevering ardour necessary to give vigour to the facul-
and clearness to the judgement. In the present
ties
of society a
learning
little
is
state
required to support the
character of a gentleman, and boys are obliged to submit
to a
few years of
women,
discipline.
But in the education of
the cultivation of the understanding
subordinate to the acquirement of
complishment. Even
when
some corporeal
serious scientific study,
turned too soon on
prevented from
half-
Besides, in youth, their facul-
life
if
they have natural sagacity,
and manners. They dwell on
and modifications, without tracing them back to
effects
causes;
and complicated rules to adjust behaviour are
weak substitute
As
ac-
not brought forward by emulation; and having
ties are
it is
is
and beauty which relaxed
formed limbs never exhibit.
no
always
enervated by confinement
and false notions of modesty, the body
attaining that grace
is
a
a
for simple principles.
proof that education gives
this
appearance of
we may instance the example of
men, who are, like them, sent into the world
before their minds have been stored with knowledge, or
weakness to females,
military
fortified
by
principles.
soldiers acquire a
little
The consequences
superficial
are similar;
knowledge, snatched
from the muddy current of conversation, and from continually
mixing with society, they gain what
15
is
termed
a
Mary
Wollstonecraji
knowledge of the world; and this acquaintance with
manners and customs has frequently been confounded
with a knowledge of the human heart. But can the crude
of casual observation, never brought to the
fruit
test
of judgement, formed by comparing speculation and
experience, deserve such a distinction? Soldiers, as well
as
women,
practise the
Where
politeness.
is
minor
virtues with punctilious
then the sexual difference,
when
the education has been the same? All the difference that
I
can discern arises from the superior advantage of liberty
which enables the former to see more of life.
It is wandering from my present subject, perhaps, to
make a political remark; but as it was produced naturally
by the train of my reflections, I shall not pass it silently
over.
Standing armies can never consist of resolute robust
men; they may be well-disciplined machines, but they
will seldom contain men under the influence of strong
passions, or with very vigorous faculties; and as for any
depth of understanding,
as rarely to
And the
I
will venture to affirm that
be found in the army
cause,
I
maintain,
is
it is
amongst women.
as
the same.
It
may be
further
observed that
officers are also particularly attentive to
their persons,
fond of dancing, crowded rooms, adven-
tures,
lives
and
is
ridicule. Like the fair sex, the business
only live to please.
distinction of sexes, for they are
to
of their
were taught to please, and they
Yet they do not lose their rank in the
gallantry; they
still
reckoned superior
women, though in what their superiority
consists, be-
yond what I have just mentioned, it is difficult to discover.
The great misfortune is this, that they both acquire
i6
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
A
manners before morals, and a knowledge of life before
they have from reflection any acquaintance with the
grand ideal outline of human nature. The consequence
is
natural. Satisfied with
a prey to prejudices,
credit,
common
and taking
nature, they
all
become
on
their opinions
they blindly submit to authority. So that
have any sense,
it
a kind
is
if
they
of instinctive glance that
manbelow
catches proportions, and decides with respect to
ners,
but
when arguments
fails
are to be pursued
the surface, or opinions analysed.
May not the same remark be applied to women? Nay,
may be carried still further, for they are
the argument
both thrown out of a useful station by the unnatural
distinctions
established
in
hereditary honours have
civilized
life.
Riches
and
made cyphers of women
to
give consequence to the numerical figure; and idleness
has produced a mixture of gallantry and despotism into
society,
which leads the very
men who
are the slaves of
their mistresses to tyrannize over their sisters, wives,
and daughters. This
file, it is
it,
true.
and there
is
only keeping them in rank and
Strengthen the female mind by enlarging
will
blind obedience
is
be an end to blind obedience; but
as
ever sought for by power, tyrants and
sensualists are in the right
when they endeavour to keep
woman in the dark, because the former only want slaves,
and the
latter a plaything.
The
been the most dangerous of
been duped by
sensualist, indeed, has
tyrants,
their lovers, as princes
and
by
women
have
their ministers,
whilst dreaming that they reigned over them.
I
now principally allude to
of Sophia
is
undoubtedly
Rousseau, for his character
a captivating one,
17
though
it
Mary
appears to
me
Wollstonecraft
grossly unnatural.
However,
it is
not the
superstructure, but the foundation of her character, the
on which her education was built, that I mean
warmly as I admire the genius of that able
whose opinions I shall often have occasion to
principles
to attack; nay,
writer,
cite,
indignation always takes place of admiration, and
the rigid frown of insulted virtue effaces the smile of
complacency which
raise
who,
his
eloquent periods are wont to
when 1 read his voluptuous reveries.
in his
Is this
ardour for virtue, would banish
the
man
the
all
of peace, and almost carry us back to Spartan
soft arts
discipline?
Is this
the
man who delights to paint the useftil
good dispositions,
which carry the glowing soul out
are these mighty sentiments lowered
struggles of passion, the triumphs of
and the heroic
of
itself?
when he
little
flights
How
describes the pretty foot and enticing airs of his
favourite!
But for the present
waive the
I
subject,
and instead of severely reprehending the transient
effusions of overweening sensibility,
I
shall
only observe
whoever has cast a benevolent eye on society must
often have been gratified by the sight of humble mutual
love not dignified by sentiment, or strengthened by a
union in intellectual pursuits. The domestic trifles of the
that
day have afforded matters for
innocent caresses have softened
quire great exercise of
mind or
cheerftil converse,
toils
and
which did not
re-
stretch of thought; yet
has not the sight of this moderate
felicity excited
more
tenderness than respect? – an emotion similar to what
we
feel
when
children are playing or animals sporting;
whilst the contemplation of the noble struggles of suffer-
ing merit has raised admiration, and carried our thoughts
i8
A
to that
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
world where sensation
will give place to reason.
Women are therefore to be considered either as moral
beings, or so
weak
that they
must be
entirely subjected
to the superior faculties of men.
Let us examine this question. Rousseau declares that
a
woman
should never for a
moment
feel herself inde-
pendent, that she should be governed by fear to exercise
made a coquettish slave in order
more alluring object of desire, a sweeter
companion to man, whenever he chose to relax himself.
He carries the arguments, which he pretends to draw
her natural cunning, and
to render her a
from the indications of nature,
and
that truth
virtue,
still
further,
and insinuates
fortitude, the corner-stones of
all
human
should be cultivated with certain restrictions,
because, with respect to the female character, obedience
is
the grand lesson
which ought
to be impressed with
unrelenting rigour.
What
nonsense!
sufficient strength
When
will a great
man
arise
with
of mind to puff away the fames which
pride and sensuality have thus spread over the subject?
women
by nature inferior to men, their virtues
must be the same in quality, if not in degree, or virtue is
If
are
a relative idea; consequently their
founded on the same
principles,
conduct should be
and have the same aim.
Connected with man as daughters, wives, and mothers,
their
of
moral character
fulfilling
may be
estimated by their
manner
those simple duties; but the end, the grand
end, of their exertions should be to unfold their
faculties,
and acquire the dignity of conscious
They may
try to render their
never to forget, in
common
19
own
virtue.
road pleasant; but ought
with man, that
life
yields
Mary Wollstonecmft
not the
felicity
mean
not
which can
an immortal
satisfy
I
do
to insinuate that either sex should be so lost
views
in abstract reflections or distant
affections
soul.
and duties that
lie
as to forget the
before them, and are, in
means appointed to produce the fruit of life;
I would warmly recommend them,
even while I assert that they afford most satisfaction
truth, the
on the
when
contrary,
they are considered in their true sober
may have
created for man,
taken
poetical story; yet as very few,
its rise
is
it
light.
woman was
Probably the prevailing opinion that
from Moses’
presumed,
who
have bestowed any serious thought on the subject ever
supposed that Eve was,
ribs,
the deduction
literally
speaking, one of Adam’s
must be allowed to
fall
to the ground,
or only be so far admitted as
it
proves that man, from
the remotest antiquity, found
it
convenient to exert his
strength to subjugate his companion, and his invention
show
to
that she
ought to have her neck bent under the
yoke, because the whole creation was only created for
his
convenience or pleasure.
Let
it
not be concluded that
order of things.
I
constitution of their bodies,
by Providence
I
wish to invert the
have already granted
from the
that,
men seemed to be
designed
to attain a greater degree of virtue.
I
speak
see not the
shadow
of a reason to conclude that their virtues should
differ in
collectively of the
whole
sex;
respect to their nature. In
but
fact,
I
how
can they,
has only one eternal standard? I must therefore,
if
if I
virtue
reason
consequentially, as strenuously maintain that they have
the
same simple
It
direction as that there
is
a
God.
follows then that cunning should not be opposed to
20
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
A
wisdom,
little
cares to great exertions, or insipid softness,
name
varnished over with the
of gentleness, to that
which grand views alone can inspire.
I shall be told that woman would then lose many of
her peculiar graces, and the opinion of a well-known
poet might be quoted to refute my unqualified assertion.
For Pope has said, in the name of the whole male sex:
fortitude
Yet ne’er so sure our passion to create,
As when she touched the brink of all
In
what
light this sally places
we
hate.
men and women
leave to the judicious to determine. Meanwhile,
content myself with observing, that
I
I
shall
I
shall
cannot discover
why, unless they are mortal, females should always be
degraded by being made subservient to love or
To
speak disrespectfully of love
is,
lust.
know, high
I
treason against sentiment and fine feelings; but
I
wish to
speak the simple language of truth, and rather to address
the head than the heart.
To endeavour
to reason love
out of the world would be to out-Quixote Cervantes,
and equally offend against common sense; but an endeavour to restrain
it
this
tumultuous passion, and to prove that
should not be allowed to dethrone superior powers, or
to usurp the sceptre
which the understanding should
ever coolly wield, appears
less wild.
Youth is the season for love in both sexes; but in those
days of thoughtless enjoyment provision should be made
for the
more important
years of
life,
when
male writers
who
have followed
21
his steps,
reflection
most of the
have warmly
takes place of sensation. But Rousseau, and
Mary
Wollstonecraft
whole tendency of female education
be directed to one point – to render them
indicated that the
ought to
pleasing.
me
Let
who
reason with the supporters of
have any knowledge of
human
this
opinion
Do
nature.
they
imagine that marriage can eradicate the habitude of life?
The woman who has only been taught
to please will
soon find that her charms are oblique sunbeams, and
that they cannot have
heart
is
when
much
on her husband’s
effect
they are seen every day,
when
the
summer
passed and gone. Will she then have sufficient native
energy to look into herself for comfort, and cultivate her
dormant
faculties? or
is it
not more rational to expect
men, and, in the emotions
by the experience of new conquests, endeavour
that she will try to please other
raised
to forget the mortification her love or pride has received?
When
the husband ceases to be a lover, and the time
will inevitably
grow languid,
come, her desire of pleasing
become
or
will then
a spring of bitterness;
and love,
perhaps, the most evanescent of all passions, gives place
to jealousy or vanity.
I
now speak of women who are restrained by principle
or prejudice. Such
from an
women, though
they would shrink
intrigue with real abhorrence, yet, nevertheless,
wish to be convinced by the homage of gallantry that
they are cruelly neglected by their husbands;
weeks
are spent in
congenial souls,
spirits
their health
is
undermined and
their
How then can the great art
of pleasing be such a necessary study?
The
days and
dreaming of the happiness enjoyed by
till
broken by discontent.
a mistress.
or,
it is
chaste wife and serious
22
only useful to
mother should
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
A
only consider her power to please as the polish of her
virtues,
and the affection of her husband
comforts that render her task
as
less difficult,
one of the
and her
life
happier. But, whether she be loved or neglected, her first
wish should be to make herself respectable, and not to
rely for
all
infirmities
her happiness on a being subject to
like
with herself
The worthy Dr Gregory
fell
into a similar error.
I
respect his heart, but entirely disapprove of his celebrated
Legacy
to his
He
Daughters.
them
advises
to cultivate a fondness for dress,
because a fondness for dress, he
them.
I
am
asserts,
If
natural to
unable to comprehend what either he or
Rousseau mean when they frequently use
term.
is
this indefinite
they told us that in a pre-existent state the soul
was fond of
dress,
and brought
this inclination
with
it
new body, I should listen to them with a half-smile,
often do when hear a rant about innate elegance.
into a
as
I
But
I
if
he only meant to say that the exercise of the
faculties will
produce
this fondness,
I
deny
natural; but arises, like false ambition in
it.
It is
not
men, from
a
love of power.
Dr Gregory goes much further; he actually recommends dissimulation, and advises an innocent girl to give
the
lie
to her feelings,
gaiety of heart
and not dance with
would make her
making her gestures immodest.
common
sense,
why
spirit,
when
feet
eloquent without
In the
name of truth and
should not one
woman
acknowl-
edge that she can take more exercise than another?
in other
why,
to
or,
words, that she has a sound constitution; and
damp
innocent vivacity,
23
is
she darkly to be told
Mary
men
Wollstonecraft
draw conclusions which she little thinks
of? Let the libertine draw what inference he pleases; but,
I hope, that no sensible mother will restrain the natural
frankness of youth by instilling such indecent cautions.
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh;
and a wiser than Solomon hath said that the heart should
that
will
be made clean, and not
which
it
exactness
is
not very
when
trivial
ceremonies observed,
difficult to fulfil
with scrupulous
vice reigns in the heart.
Women ought to endeavour to purify their hearts; but
can they do so when their uncultivated understandings
make them entirely dependent on their senses for
employment and amusement, when no noble pursuits
set them above the little vanities of the day, or enable
them to curb the wild emotions that agitate a reed, over
which every passing breeze has power? To gain the
affections of a virtuous
man,
is
affectation necessary?
Nature has given woman a weaker frame than man; but,
must a wife, who,
by the exercise of her mind and body whilst she was
discharging the duties of a daughter, wife, and mother,
to ensure her husband’s affections,
has allowed her constitution to retain its natural strength,
and her nerves
scend to use
a healthy tone,
art,
and feign
–
is
she,
I
say, to
conde-
a sickly delicacy, in order to
Weakness may excite
the arrogant pride of man, but
secure her husband’s affection?
tenderness, and gratify
the lordly caresses of a protector will not gratify a noble
mind
that pants
Fondness
is
a
In a seraglio,
the epicure
for
and deserves to be respected.
poor substitute
I
grant, that
must have
for friendship!
all
these arts are necessary;
his palate tickled, or
24
he
will sink
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
A
into apathy; but have
satisfied
life
women
so
little
ambition
as to
be
with such a condition? Can they supinely dream
away
in the lap
of pleasure, or the languor of weari-
ness, rather than assert their claim to pursue reasonable
pleasures,
and render themselves conspicuous by practis-
ing the virtues which dignify mankind? Surely she has
who
not an immortal soul
employed
to
can loiter
life
adorn her person, that she
away merely
may amuse
the
languid hours, and soften the cares of a fellow-creature
who is willing to be enlivened by her smiles and tricks,
when the serious business of life is over.
Besides, the woman who strengthens her body and
mind
by managing her family and
become the friend, and not
the humble dependent of her husband; and if she, by
exercises her
will,
practising various virtues,
possessing such substantial qualities, merit his regard,
she will not find
it
necessary to conceal her affection,
nor to pretend to an unnatural coldness of constitution
to excite her husband’s passions. In fact,
if
we
revert
women who
have
distinguished themselves have neither been the
most
to history,
we
shall find that the
beautiful nor the
most gentle of their
Nature, or, to speak with
made
all
sex.
propriety, God, has
man has sought him out many
work. now allude to that part of
things right; but
inventions to
mar
Dr Gregory’s
treatise,
let
strict
her husband
affection.
the
I
where he
know
advises a wife never to
the extent of her sensibility or
Voluptuous precaution, and
absurd. Love,
from
its
as ineffectual as
very nature, must be transitory.
To
seek for a secret that would render
be
as
it
constant,
wild a search as for the philosopher
25
s
would
stone, or
Mary Wolhtonecraji
the grand panacea; and the discovery
useless, or rather pernicious, to
band of society
shrewd satirist,
friendship.
is
It
would be
equally
mankind. The most holy
has been well
‘that rare as true love
is,
said,
by
a
true friendship
is still rarer’.
This
will
is
an obvious truth, and, the cause not lying deep,
not elude a
Love, the
slight glance
common
of inquiry.
passion, in
which chance and
sensation take place of choice and reason,
degree,
felt
by the mass of mankind;
for it
is
is,
in
some
not necessary
to speak, at present, of the emotions that rise above or
sink
below
love. This passion, naturally increased
suspense and
difficulties,
tomed
and
state,
by
draws the mind out of its accus-
exalts the affections;
but the security
of marriage allowing the fever of love to subside, a
healthy temperature
who
have not
is
thought insipid only by those
sufficient intellect to substitute the
calm
tenderness of friendship, the confidence of respect,
in-
stead of blind admiration, and the sensual emotions of
fondness.
This
is,
must
be, the course of nature. Friendship or
indifference inevitably succeeds love.
And
this consti-
tution seems perfectly to harmonize with the system of
government which prevails in the moral world. Passions
are spurs to action, and open the mind; but they sink into
mere appetites, become a personal and momentary gratification when the object is gained, and the satisfied mind
rests in enjoyment. The man who had some virtue
whilst he was struggling for a crown often becomes a
voluptuous tyrant
the lover
is
not
when
lost in the
it
graces his brow; and,
when
husband, the dotard, a prey to
26
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
A
childish caprices
duties of life,
dence in
and fond jealousies, neglects the serious
and the caresses which should
his children are lavished
excite confi-
on the overgrown
child, his wife.
In order to
the duties of
fulfil
life,
and to be able to
pursue with vigour the various employments which
form the moral
character, a master
and mistress of
a
family ought not to continue to love each other with
passion.
I
mean
to say that they
ought not to indulge
those emotions which disturb the order of society, and
engross the thoughts that should be otherwise employed.
The mind
that has never
wants vigour, –
A
if it
been engrossed by one object
can long be
so,
it is
weak.
mistaken education, a narrow uncultivated mind,
and many sexual prejudices, tend to make
women more
constant than men; but, for the present,
I
on
still
this
branch of the subject.
I
will
go
shall
not touch
further,
and
advance, without dreaming of a paradox, that an unhappy
marriage
is
often very advantageous to a family, and that
the neglected wife
is,
in general, the best
mother.
And
would almost always be the consequence if the
female mind were more enlarged; for, it seems to be the
common dispensation of Providence, that what we gain
in present enjoyment should be deducted from the treathis
sure of life, experience; and that
when we
are gathering
the flowers of the day, and revelling in pleasure, the solid
fruit
same
of
time.
right or
and wisdom should not be caught
toil
The way
left;
and he
from one pleasure
acquire neither
lies
before us,
who will pass
to another,
wisdom nor
we must
away
at the
turn to the
bounding
must not complain if he
life
in
respectability of character.
27
Mary
Wollstonecraft
tal,
and that
moment, that the soul is not immorman was only created for the present scene,
–
think
we
should have reason to complain that love,
Supposing, for a
I
grew
infantine fondness, ever
insipid
and palled upon
the sense. Let us eat, drink, and love, for
die,
would be,
of life; and
ity
for a fleeting
in fact, the
who
tomorrow we
language of reason, the moral-
but a fool would part with a
shadow? But,
if
reality
awed by observing
improbable powers of the mind,
we
the
disdain to confine
our wishes or thoughts to such a comparatively mean
field
as
of action, that only appears grand and important,
it is
connected with a boundless prospect and sublime
hopes, what necessity
and
why must
is
there for falsehood in conduct,
the sacred majesty of truth be violated to
good that saps the very foundation
must the female mind be tainted by
detain a deceitful
of virtue?
Why
coquettish arts to gratify the sensualist, and prevent
love from subsiding into friendship, or compassionate
tenderness,
when these are not qualities on which friend-
ship can be built? Let the honest heart
show
itself,
and
reason teach passion to submit to necessity; or, let the
dignified pursuit of virtue
and knowledge
raise the
mind
above those emotions which rather embitter than
sweeten the cup of
life,
when
they are not restrained
within due bounds.
I
is
do not mean to allude
to the romantic passion,
the concomitant of genius.
Who
can
clip its
which
wing?
But that grand passion not proportioned to the puny
enjoyments of
life,
is
only true to the sentiment, and
The
passions which have been celebrated
for their durability
have always been unfortunate. They
feeds
on
itself
28
A
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
have acquired strength by absence and constitutional
melancholy. The fancy has hovered round a form of
beauty dimly seen; but familiarity might have turned
admiration into disgust,
or, at least, into indifference,
and allowed the imagination
With
leisure to start fresh
perfect propriety, according to this
game.
view of things,
does Rousseau make the mistress of his soul, Eloisa, love
St Preux,
when
life
was fading before
her; but this
no
is
proof of the immortality of the passion.
Of
the
same complexion
is
Dr Gregory’s
advice
respecting delicacy of sentiment, which he advises a
woman not to
acquire,
if
she have determined to marry.
This determination, however, perfectly consistent with
his
former advice, he
and earnestly per-
calls indelicate,
suades his daughters to conceal
it,
though
their conduct, as if it were indelicate to
it
may govern
have the
common
appetites of human nature.
Noble morality! and consistent with the cautious prudence of a
little
soul that cannot extend
the present minute division of existence.
its
views beyond
If all
the faculties
of woman’s mind are only to be cultivated as they respect
her dependence on man;
if,
when a husband be obtained,
she have arrived at her goal, and meanly proud, rests
satisfied
with such a paltry crown,
edly, scarcely raised
animal kingdom; but,
high
calling,
let
her grovel content-
by her employments above the
if
struggling for the prize of her
she look beyond the present scene,
let
her
cultivate her understanding without stopping to consider
what character the husband may have
whom
she
is
destined to marry. Let her only determine, without being
too anxious about present happiness, to acquire the
29
Mary
qualities that
Wollstonecraft
ennoble a rational being, and a rough
inelegant husband
may shock
her taste without des-
model her
troying her peace of mind. She will not
soul
to suit the frailties of her companion, but to bear with
them;
his character
may be a trial, but not an impediment
to virtue.
If
Dr Gregory confined his remark to romantic
tations of constant love
and congenial feelings, he should
have recollected that experience
can never
tion
I
is
make
it
will banish
us cease to wish
kept alive
own
at the
expec-
for,
when
what advice
the imagina-
expense of reason.
frequently happens, that
women who
have
fostered a romantic unnatural delicacy of feeling, waste
their lives in imagining how
with a husband
who
happy they should have been
could love them with a fervid
creasing affection every day, and
all
in-
day. But they might
as well pine married as single, and would not be a jot
more unhappy with a bad husband than longing for a
good one. That a proper education, or, to speak with
more precision, a well-stored mind, would enable a
woman
to support a single
life
with dignity,
but that she should avoid cultivating her
husband should occasionally shock
stance for a shadow.
what use
is
To
it,
say the truth,
an improved
taste, if
her
do not know of
the individual be not
rendered more independent of the casualties of
new
grant;
quitting a sub-
is
I
I
taste, lest
life;
sources of enjoyment, only dependent on the
if
soli-
tary operations of the mind, are not opened. People of
taste,
married or
single,
without
distinction, will ever
be
disgusted by various things that touch not less observing
minds.
On
this
conclusion the argument must not be
30
A
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
sum
allowed to hinge; but in the whole
taste to
of enjoyment
is
be denominated a blessing?
The question is, whether it procures most pain or
pleasure? The answer will decide the propriety of Dr
Gregory’s advice, and show how absurd and tyrannic
it is
thus to lay
to educate
down
a
system of slavery, or to attempt
moral beings by any other
rules than those
deduced from pure reason, which apply to the whole
species.
Gentleness of manners, forbearance and long suffering, are
such amiable Godlike
qualities, that in
sublime
poetic strains the Deity has been invested with them; and,
no representation of His goodness so strongly
on the human affections as those that represent
Him abundant in mercy and willing to pardon. Gentleness, considered in this point of view, bears on its front
all the characteristics of grandeur, combined with the
winning graces of condescension; but what a different
aspect it assumes when it is the submissive demeanour
perhaps,
fastens
of dependence, the support of weakness that loves,
because
it
wants protection; and
is
forbearing, because
it must silently endure injuries; smiling under the lash at
which it dare not snarl. Abject as this picture appears, it
is
the portrait of an accomplished
woman,
according to
the received opinion of female excellence, separated
specious reasoners from
kindly restore the
man
rib,
human
by
excellence. Or, they
and make one moral being of
and woman; not forgetting to give her
all
a
the
‘submissive charms’.
How women
are to exist in that state
where there
neither to be marrying nor giving in marriage,
31
we
is
are
Mary
not
of
For though moralists have agreed that the tenor
told.
life
Wollstonecraji
seems to prove that man
circumstances for a future
woman only
in advising
state,
prepared by various
is
they constantly concur
to provide for the present.
Gentleness, docility, and a spaniel-like affection are, on
this
ground, consistently recommended as the cardinal
virtues of the sex; and, disregarding the arbitrary econ-
omy
of nature, one writer has declared that
line for a
woman
to be melancholy. She
be the toy of man,
his rattle,
and
it
it is
mascu-
was created
must jingle
to
in his ears
whenever, dismissing reason, he chooses to be amused.
To recommend
is
gentleness, indeed,
strictly philosophical.
A
frail
on
a
broad basis
being should labour to
be gentle. But when forbearance confounds right and
wrong,
it
it
however convenient
companion – that companion will
an inferior, and only inspire a vapid
ceases to be a virtue; and,
may be found
in a
ever be considered as
tenderness,
which easily degenerates into contempt. Still,
make a being gentle, whose natural
could really
if advice
disposition admitted not of such a fine polish, something
towards the advancement of order would be attained;
but
if,
as
might quickly be demonstrated, only affection
be produced by
throws
this
indiscriminate
a stumbling-block in the
counsel,
ment, and true melioration of temper, the sex
much
benefited by
ment of superficial
may procure
As
is
not
sacrificing solid virtues to the attain-
graces,
though
for a
few years they
the individuals regal sway.
a philosopher,
epithets
which
way of gradual improve-
I
read with indignation the plausible
which men use to soften their insults; and, as a
I ask what is meant by such heterogeneous
moralist,
32
A
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
associations, as fair defects, amiable weaknesses, etc.? If
there be but one criterion of morals, but one architype
for
man,
women
appear to be suspended by destiny,
according to the vulgar
of Mahomet’s
tale
have neither the unerring
instinct
coffin;
they
of brutes, nor are
on a perfect model. They
were made to be loved, and must not aim at respect, lest
they should be hunted out of society as masculine.
But to view the subject in another point of view. Do
allowed to
fix
the eye of reason
passive indolent
women make the best wives? Confining
moment of existence, let
how such weak creatures perform their part. Do
women who, by the attainment of a few superficial
our discussion to the present
us see
the
accomplishments,
have
strengthened
the
prevailing
prejudice, merely contribute to the happiness of their
husbands?
Do they display their charms merely to amuse
them? And have women who have early imbibed notions
of passive obedience, sufficient character to manage a
family or educate children? So far from
surveying the history of woman,
with the severest
weakest
it,
that, after
cannot help agreeing
considering the sex as the
satirist,
as well as the
I
most oppressed half of the
What does history disclose but marks
how few women have emancipated
the galling yoke of sovereign
species.
of inferiority, and
themselves from
man? So few that the excep-
remind me of an ingenious conjecture respecting
Newton – that he was probably a being of superior order
tions
accidentally caged in a
train of thinking,
extraordinary
I
human body.
Following the same
have been led to imagine that the few
women who
have rushed
in eccentrical
directions out of the orbit prescribed to their sex,
33
were
Mary
male
it
spirits,
Wollstonecraft
confined by mistake in female frames. But
be not philosophical to think of sex
when
the soul
if
is
mentioned, the inferiority must depend on the organs;
or the heavenly
fire,
which
to ferment the clay,
is
is
not
given in equal portions.
But avoiding,
as
have hitherto done, any direct
I
comparison of the two sexes
acknowledging the
or frankly
collectively,
inferiority of
the present appearance of things,
woman,
I
shall
according to
only
insist that
men have increased that inferiority till women are almost
sunk below the standard of rational creatures. Let their
have room to unfold, and their virtues to gain
faculties
and then determine where the whole sex must
strength,
let it be remembered
number of distinguished women I do not
stand in the intellectual scale. Yet
that for a small
ask a place.
It is difficult
for us purblind mortals to say to
height human discoveries and improvements
when
the
stumble
on
every step; but,
more
a
prophetic
will
gloom of despotism
at
will
without being gifted with a
doubt whether she
which unites man with
appear that
like the
for the use of
woman
venture to predict that
be either the friend or slave of man.
as at present,
link
I
which makes us
when morality shall be settled
solid basis, then,
spirit,
subsides,
what
may arrive,
is
a
We
shall not,
moral agent, or the
brutes. But should
it
then
brutes they were principally created
man, he
will let
them
patiently bite the
and not mock them with empty praise; or, should
rationality be proved, he will not impede their
bridle,
their
improvement merely
will not,
with
all
to gratify his sensual appetites.
the graces of rhetoric, advise
34
He
them
to
A
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
submit implicitly their understanding to the guidance of
man. He
women,
will not,
when he
assert that they
of the education of
treats
ought never to have the
free
would he recommend cunning and
dissimulation to beings who are acquiring, in like manner
use of reason, nor
as himself, the virtues
of humanity.
Surely there can be but one rule of right,
has an eternal foundation, and
strictly so called, to
it is
whoever
manner,
lives
morality
sacrifices virtue,
present convenience, or
to act in such a
if
whose duty
only for the passing
day, and cannot be an accountable creature.
The poet then should have dropped
he
his sneer
when
says:
If
weak women go
stars are more
The
astray,
in fault than they.
For that they are bound by the adamantine chain of
destiny
is
most
certain, if it
to exercise their
never to
rise
own
be proved that they are never
reason, never to be independent,
above opinion, or to
rational will that only
bows
to
feel the dignity
of a
God, and often forgets
that the universe contains any being but itself
and the
model of perfection
turned,
to
which
its
ardent gaze
is
to adore attributes that, softened into virtues,
may be
imitated in kind, though the degree overwhelms the
enraptured mind.
If, I
say, for
Reason
offers
I
would not impress by declamation when
her sober
light, if they
acting like rational creatures, let
slaves; or, like the brutes
who
35
be really capable of
them not be
treated like
are dependent
on the
Mary
reason of man,
when
they associate with him; but
vate their minds, give
principle,
Wollstonecraft
them
and let them
culti-
the salutary sublime curb of
attain conscious dignity
by feeling
themselves only dependent on God. Teach them, in
common
with man, to submit to necessity, instead of
giving, to render
them more
pleasing, a sex to morals.
Further, should experience prove that they cannot
same degree of strength of mind, perseverance,
be the same in kind,
though they may vainly struggle for the same degree;
attain the
and
fortitude, let their virtues
and the superiority of
clearer;
and truth,
as
man
it is
will
of no modification, would be
order of society, as
be inverted, for
it is
be equally
a simple principle,
at
that reason assigned her,
which admits
present regulated,
and
not
common to both. Nay the
woman would then
to bring the balance even,
clear, if
arts
would not
only have the rank
could not be practised
much less
to turn
it.
These may be termed Utopian dreams. Thanks to that
Being
who
impressed them on
sufficient strength
reason,
till,
soul,
and gave
support of my virtue,
I
me
my own
becoming dependent only on Him
for the
view, with indignation, the mis-
taken notions that enslave
I
my
of mind to dare to exert
my sex.
love man as my fellow; but his sceptre, real or usurped,
extends not to me, unless the reason of an individual
demands my homage; and even then the submission is to
reason, and not to man. In fact, the conduct of an accountable being must be regulated by the operations of its own
reason; or on what foundation rests the throne of God?
It appears to me necessary to dwell on these obvious
truths,
because females have been insulated,
36
as
it
were;
A
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
and while they have been stripped of the virtues that
should clothe humanity, they have been decked with
artificial
graces that enable
them to
exercise a short-lived
tyranny. Love, in their bosoms, taking place of every
nobler passion, their sole ambition
emotion instead of inspiring
desire, like the servility in absolute
all
strength of character. Liberty
and
if
women be,
by
is
respect;
is
to be
fair,
to raise
and
this
ignoble
monarchies, destroys
the
mother of virtue,
and
their very constitution, slaves,
not allowed to breathe the sharp invigorating
freedom, they must ever languish
like exotics,
reckoned beautiful flaws in nature. Let
it
of
air
and be
also
be
remembered, that they are the only flaw.
As to the argument respecting the subjection in which
the sex has ever
been
held,
it
retorts
on man. The many
have always been enthralled by the few; and monsters,
who
scarcely have
excellence,
shown any discernment of human
have tyrannized over thousands of their
fellow-creatures.
Why
ments submitted
to such degradation? For,
versally
have
acknowledged that
men
kings,
of superior endow-
viewed
is it
not uni-
collectively,
have ever been
inferior, in abilities and virtue, to the
same number of men taken from the common mass of
mankind – yet have they not, and are they not still
treated with a degree of reverence that
reason? China
man
has been
is
is
an insult to
not the only country where a living
made
a
God. Men have submitted to
superior strength to enjoy with impunity the pleasure of
the
moment; women have only done
therefore
till it is
proved that the
resigns the birthright of a
man,
37
the same, and
courtier,
is
who
servilely
not a moral agent,
it
Mary Wollstonecmft
cannot be demonstrated that
inferior to
man because
woman
is
essentially
she has always been subjugated.
Brutal force has hitherto governed the world, and that
the science of politics
is
in
its
infancy,
is
evident from
philosophers scrupling to give the knowledge most
useful to
I
shall
establish
man
that determinate distinction.
argument any farther than to
an obvious inference, that as sound politics
not pursue
diffuse liberty,
more wise and
this
mankind, including woman,
virtuous.
38
will
become
The Same Subject Continued
Bodily strength from being the distinction of heroes
now
sunk into such unmerited contempt that men,
well as
as
women, seem
takes
it
from
to think
it
unnecessary; the
is
as
latter,
and from that
undue power; and
their feminine graces,
lovely weakness, the source of their
the former, because
it
appears inimical to the character
of a gentleman.
That they have both, by departing from one extreme
run into another,
may
be proved; but
easily
first it
may
be proper to observe that a vulgar error has obtained a
degree of
clusion, in
which has given force to a false conwhich an effect has been mistaken for a cause.
credit,
People of genius have very frequently impaired their
constitutions
health,
by study or
careless inattention to their
and the violence of their passions bearing
portion to the vigour of their
destroying the scabbard has
and
superficial observers
men
of genius have
intellects,
a pro-
the sword’s
become almost
proverbial,
have inferred from thence that
commonly weak,
or, to
use a
more
fashionable phrase, delicate constitutions. Yet the con-
on diligent
most cases
been accompanied by superior strength of body, – natutrary,
I
believe, will appear to
inquiry,
ral
I
be the
find that strength of
fact; for,
mind has
in
soundness of constitution, – not that robust tone of
nerves and vigour of muscles, which arise firom bodily
39
Mary
labour,
when
the
mind
Wollstonecraft
is
quiescent, or only directs the
hands.
Dr
Priestley has remarked, in the preface to his bio-
men
graphical chart, that the majority of great
have
beyond forty-five. And considering the thoughtless
manner in which they have lavished their strength when
lived
investigating a favourite science, they have wasted the
lamp of
life,
lost in poetic
forgetful of the midnight hour; or,
when
dreams, fancy has peopled the scene, and
the soul has been disturbed,
shook the constitution
by the passions that meditation has raised, – whose
till it
objects, the baseless fabric of a vision, faded before the
exhausted eye, – they must have had iron frames. Shakespeare never grasped the airy dagger with a nerveless
hand, nor did Milton tremble
when he led Satan far from
the confines of his dreary prison. These were not the
ravings of imbecility, the sickly effusions of distempered
brains,
but the exuberance of fancy, that
‘in a fine
frenzy’
wandering, was not continually reminded of its material
shackles.
I
am aware that this argument would carry me further
than
and
it
may be supposed wish
still
I
adhering to
my
first
bodily strength seems to give
over
woman; and
this
is
to go; but
position,
man
I
I
follow truth,
will allow that
a natural superiority
the only solid basis
the superiority of the sex can be built. But
I
on which
still
insist
that not only the virtue but the knowledge of the
sexes should be the
that
women,
creatures,
same
in nature, if not in degree,
two
and
considered not only as moral but rational
ought to endeavour to acquire
(or perfections)
by the same means
40
as
human virtues
men, instead of
A
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
being educated
like a fanciful
kind of half being – one of
Rousseau’s wild chimeras.
But
if
strength of body be with
the boast of men,
proud of
man whose
refine
that they
are
some show of reason
women so infatuated as to be
Rousseau has furnished them with
a defect?
plausible excuse,
and
why
which could only have occurred
a
to a
imagination had been allowed to run wild,
on the impressions made by
exquisite senses;
might for-sooth have a pretext for yielding to
a natural appetite
without violating a romantic species
of modesty, which
gratifies the pride
and libertinism
of man.
Women,
deluded by these sentiments, sometimes
playing
power by
on the weakness of men; and they may well glory
in their
illicit
boast of their weakness, cunningly obtaining
more
real
ficed to
sway,
power than
temporary
Turkish bashaws, they have
for, like
their masters;
gratifications,
but virtue
and the
is
sacri-
respectability
of life to the triumph of an hour.
Women, as well as despots, have now perhaps more
power than they would have if the world, divided and
subdivided into kingdoms and families, were governed
by laws deduced from the exercise of reason; but
obtaining
is
it,
to carry
on the comparison,
in
their character
degraded, and licentiousness spread through the whole
aggregate of society.
few.
are
I,
more
virtue
The many become
pedestal to the
therefore, will venture to assert that
till
rationally educated, the progress of
and improvement
continual checks.
And
if it
in
women
human
knowledge must receive
be granted that
woman was
not created merely to gratify the appetite of man, or to
41
Mary
be the upper servant,
care of his line,
Wollstonecraft
who
provides his meals and takes
must follow
first
care of those
mothers or fathers
who really attend to the
education of
females should be,
if not
it
that the
to strengthen the body, at least
not to destroy the constitution by mistaken notions of
beauty and female excellence; nor should
girls
ever be
allowed to imbibe the pernicious notion that a defect
by any chemical process of reasoning, become an
can,
excellence.
[.
.]
•
But should
it
be proved that
than man, whence does
it
woman is naturally weaker
follow that
it is
natural for her
to labour to become
still weaker than nature intended her
Arguments of this cast are an insult to common
sense, and savour of passion. The divine right of husbands,
like the divine right of kings, may, it is to be hoped, in
to be?
this
enlightened age, be contested without danger; and
though conviction may not
putants, yet,
when
silence
many boisterous
any prevailing prejudice
is
dis-
attacked,
the wise will consider, and leave the narrow-minded to
with thoughtless vehemence at innovation.
The mother who wishes to give true dignity of charac-
rail
ter to
her daughter must, regardless of the sneers of
on a plan diametrically opposite to
which Rousseau has recommended with all the
deluding charms of eloquence and philosophic sophistry,
ignorance, proceed
that
for his eloquence renders absurdities plausible,
and
his
dogmatic conclusions puzzle, without convincing, those
who
have not
ability to refute
42
them.
A
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
Throughout the whole animal kingdom every young
creature requires almost continual exercise, and the
infancy of children, conformable to this intimation,
should be passed in harmless gambols that exercise the
feet
and hands, without requiring very minute direction
from the head, or the constant attention of
fact,
natural exercise of the understanding as
to
a nurse. In
the care necessary for self-preservation
little
is
the
first
inventions
amuse the present moment unfold the imagination.
But these wise designs of nature are counteracted by
mistaken fondness or blind
moment
to
its
zeal.
own direction –
The
is
not
particularly a girl
thus rendered dependent. Dependence
To
child
preserve personal beauty –
is
left
a
– and
called natural.
woman’s
glory – the
limbs and faculties are cramped with worse than Chinese
which they are condemned
open air, weakens the
muscles and relaxes the nerves. As for Rousseau’s
remarks, which have since been echoed by several
writers, that they have naturally, that is, from their birth,
bands, and the sedentary
life
to live, whilst boys frolic in the
independent of education, a fondness for
and
talking, they are so puerile as
refutation.
That
a
girl,
together listening to the
attend at her mother’s
conversation,
is,
dolls, dressing,
not to merit a serious
condemned to sit for hours
idle chat of weak nurses, or to
toilet, will
endeavour to join the
indeed, very natural; and that she will
mother or aunts, and amuse herself by adornas they do in dressing her, poor
innocent babe! is undoubtedly a most natural consequence. For men of the greatest abilities have seldom
had sufficient strength to rise above the surrounding
imitate her
ing her
lifeless doll,
43
Mary Wollstonecmft
atmosphere; and
pages of genius have always been
if the
blurred by the prejudices of the age,
should be
made
In this
who,
medium.
for a sex,
things through a false
manner,
may
some allowance
like kings,
always see
the fondness for dress, conspicu-
ous in
woman, be
ing
the result of a desire to please the sex
it
easily
accounted
for,
without suppos-
on which
they are dependent. The absurdity, in short, of supposing
that a girl
is
naturally a coquette, and that a desire
connected with the impulse of nature to propagate the
should appear even before an improper edu-
species,
cation has,
by heating the imagination,
prematurely,
is
called
it
forth
so unphilosophical, that such a sagacious
observer as Rousseau would not have adopted
it,
if
he had not been accustomed to make reason give way
to his desire of singularity, and truth to a favourite
paradox.
Yet thus to give a sex to mind was not very consistent
with the principles of a
man who
argued so warmly, and
what a weak
way of an hypothesis!
so well, for the immortality of the soul. But
barrier is truth when
it
stands in the
Rousseau respected – almost adored virtue – and yet
he allowed himself to love with sensual fondness. His
imagination constantly prepared inflammable fuel for his
inflammable senses; but, in order to reconcile
for self-denial, fortitude,
a
mind
invert a
like his
and those heroic
his respect
virtues,
which
could not coolly admire, he labours to
law of nature, and broaches
a doctrine preg-
nant with mischief, and derogatory to the character of
supreme wisdom.
His ridiculous
stories,
which tend
44
to prove that girls
A
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
are naturally attentive to their persons, without laying
any
[.
I
on
stress
daily example, are
below contempt.
..]
have, probably, had an opportunity of observing
girls in their
infancy than
my own feelings,
yet, so far
the
and
J. J.
I
more
can recollect
have looked steadily around me;
from coinciding with him in opinion respecting
dawn of the female
first
affirm, that a girl,
by
I
Rousseau.
inactivity, or
whose
character,
spirits
I
will venture to
have not been damped
innocence tainted by
false
shame, will
always be a romp, and the doll will never excite attention
distinction
no alternative. Girls and
would play harmlessly together, if the
of sex was not inculcated long before nature
makes any
difference.
unless confinement allows her
boys, in short,
indisputable fact, that
of
my
observation,
will go further, and
most of the women,
I
who
have acted
affirm, as
an
in the circle
like rational crea-
shown any vigour of intellect, have accidentally
as some of the elegant formers
fair sex would insinuate.
tures, or
been allowed to run wild,
of the
The baneful consequences which flow from
tion to health during infancy
than
is
inatten-
and youth, extend further
supposed – dependence of body naturally pro-
duces dependence of mind; and
how
can she be a good
whose time is
or endure sickness? Nor can
wife or mother, the greater part of
employed
it
to
guard against
be expected that a woman will resolutely endeavour to
strengthen her constitution and abstain from enervating
indulgences,
if artificial
notions of beauty, and false
45
Mary
Wollstonecraft
descriptions of sensibility, have
been
with her motives of action. Most
early entangled
men
are
sometimes
obliged to bear with bodily inconveniences, and to
endure, occasionally, the inclemency of the elements;
but genteel
women are, literally speaking,
slaves to their
bodies, and glory in their subjection.
I
knew a weak woman of fashion, who was more
commonly proud of her delicacy and sensibility.
once
than
She thought a distinguishing
height of
all
have seen
taste
and puny appetite the
human perfection, and acted accordingly. I
weak sophisticated being neglect all the
this
duties of life, yet recline with self-complacency
and boast of her want of appetite
as a
on
a sofa,
proof of delicacy
that extended to, or, perhaps, arose from, her exquisite
sensibility; for
it
is
difficult to
render
intelligible
such
moment, I have seen her
worthy old gentlewoman, whom unexpected
misfortunes had made dependent on her ostentatious
ridiculous jargon. Yet, at the
insult a
bounty, and who, in better days, had claims on her
gratitude.
Is it
become such
possible that a
a
human creature could have
weak and depraved
being,
if,
like the
Sybarites, dissolved in luxury, everything like virtue
had
not been worn away, or never impressed by precept, a
poor
substitute,
it is
true, for cultivation
it
serves as a fence against vice?
[.
..]
Women
are
everywhere
of mind, though
in this deplorable state; for,
in order to preserve their innocence, as ignorance
courteously termed, truth
is
is
hidden from them, and they
46
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
A
made
are
assume an
to
infancy that beauty
itself to
artificial
character before their
have acquired any strength. Taught from
faculties
is
woman’s
sceptre, the
the body, and roaming round
seeks to adore
its
prison.
their
mind shapes
its gilt
cage, only
Men have various employments
and pursuits which engage
their attention,
and give a
women,
confined to
character to the opening mind; but
one, and having their thoughts constantly directed to
the
most
insignificant part of themselves,
views beyond the triumph of the hour. But were
their
their understanding
to
once emancipated from the slavery
which the pride and
sensuality of
short-sighted desire, like that of
we
read of their weaknesses with surprise.
to pursue the
Perhaps,
who,
argument
if the
whom
in tyrants, of
should probably
must be allowed
little fiirther.
language of Scripture, went about
he should devour, he could not more
effectually degrade the
man
I
their
existence of an evil being were allowed,
in the allegorical
seeking
a
man and
dominion
present sway, has subjected them,
a
seldom extend
human
character, than
by giving
absolute power.
This argument branches into various ramifications.
Birth, riches,
man above
sink
him
and every
his fellows,
advantage that exalt a
without any mental exertion,
below them. In proportion
played upon by designing men,
in reality
weakness, he
is
bloated monster has lost
tribes
extrinsic
of men,
such a leader,
like flocks
is
all
traces of humanity.
to this
till
the
And that
of sheep, should quietly follow
a solecism that only a desire of present
enjoyment and narrowness of understanding can
solve.
Educated in slavish dependence, and enervated by luxury
47
Mary
and
where
sloth,
shall
we
to assert the rights of
moral beings,
who
will
find
men who will stand forth
man, or claim the
privilege of
should have but one road to excel-
monarchs and
lence? Slavery to
world
Wollstonecraft
be long in freeing
ministers,
itself fi-om,
which the
and whose
human
deadly grasp stops the progress of the
mind,
is
not yet abolished.
Let not
men then in the pride
of power, use the same
arguments that tyrannic kings and venal ministers have
woman
used, and fallaciously assert that
ought to be
subjected because she has always been so. But, when
man, governed by reasonable laws, enjoys his natural
freedom,
let
him
with him; and,
despise
till
woman,
she do not share
it
that glorious period arrives, in des-
canting on the folly of the sex,
his
if
let
him not overlook
own.
Women,
it is
true, obtaining
power by unjust means,
by practising or fostering vice, evidently lose the rank
which reason would assign them, and they become either
abject slaves or capricious tyrants.
plicity, all dignity
as
men
They
lose
all
sim-
of mind, in acquiring power, and act
are observed to act
when they have been exalted
by the same means.
It is
time to effect a revolution in female manners –
time to restore to them their
them,
as a part
of the
lost dignity
– and make
human species, labour by reforming
themselves to reform the world.
It is
time to separate
unchangeable morals from local manners.
demi-gods,
why
let
us serve them!
And
if
If
men
be
the dignity of
the female soul be as disputable as that of animals –
if
their reason does not afford sufficient light to direct their
48
A
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
conduct whilst unerring
surely of
all
instinct
denied – they are
is
most miserable! and, bent
creatures the
beneath the iron hand of destiny, must submit to be a. fair
justify the ways of Providence
by pointing out some irrefragable
reason for thus making such a large portion of mankind
accountable and not accountable, would puzzle the
But to
defect in creation.
respecting them,
subtilest casuist.
[.
It
..]
were
women would
be wished that
to
affection for their husbands,
ciple that
base
is
cherish an
founded on the same
devotion ought to rest upon.
there under heaven – for
let
No
them beware of the
fallacious light of sentiment; too often
used
phrase for sensuality.
think, that
women
their infancy
follows then,
It
I
Why
do
and
men
a being
Still
I
know
manner
like
as to
be
between two opinions, and expect
do they expect virtue from a slave,
halt
Why
whom the
rendered weak,
from
act for themselves.
impossibilities?
from
as a softer
should either be shut up
Eastern princes, or educated in such a
able to think
prin-
other firm
if
constitution of civil society has
not vicious?
that
it
will require a considerable length
of time to eradicate the firmly rooted prejudices which
sensualists
have planted;
to convince
interest
women
it
will also require
some time
that they act contrary to their real
on an enlarged scale, when they cherish or
weakness under the name of
delicacy,
affect
and to convince
the world that the poisoned source of female vices and
49
Mary
follies, if it
Wollstonecraft
be necessary, in compliance with custom, to
use synonymous terms in a lax sense, has been the
homage
sensual
for
it
paid to beauty: – to beauty of features;
has been shrewdly observed by a
that a pretty
woman,
allowed to be so by
fine
woman, who
as
German
an object of desire,
men
inspires
of
all
writer,
generally
is
descriptions; whilst a
more sublime emotions by
displaying intellectual beauty,
may be overlooked or
men who find their
observed with indifference, by those
happiness in the gratification of their appetites.
I
foresee
an obvious retort – whilst man remains such an imperfect
being as he appears hitherto to have been, he
or
will,
be the slave of his appetites; and those
less,
more
women
power who gratify a predominant one,
degraded by a physical, if not by a moral
obtaining most
the sex
is
necessity.
This objection has,
I
grant,
some force; but while such
a sublime precept exists, as, ‘Be pure as
Father
is
pure’;
your heavenly
would seem that the virtues of man
by the Being who alone could limit
it
are not limited
them; and that he may press forward without considering
by indulging such a
it has been said,
Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther; and here shall
thy proud waves be stayed.’ Vainly then do they beat
and foam, restrained by the power that confines the
whether he
steps out of his sphere
noble ambition.
To
the wild billows
struggling planets in their orbits, matter yields to the
great
governing
Spirit.
But an immortal
soul,
not
restrained by mechanical laws and struggling to free itself
from the shackles of matter, contributes to, instead of
disturbing, the order of creation, when, co-operating
50
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
A
with the Father of
spirits,
it
tries to
govern
itself
by
the invariable rule that, in a degree, before which our
imagination
faints,
Besides, if
is,
the universe
woman
regulated.
is
be educated for dependence, that
to act according to the will of another fallible being,
and submit, right or wrong, to power, where are
we
to
stop? Are they to be considered as viceregents allowed
to reign over a small domain,
conduct to a higher tribunal,
It
will not
act like
men
be
difficult to
and answerable for
liable to error?
prove that such delegates will
subjected by fear, and
and servants endure
as the
to
whim
wonder
of the
if
make
their tyrannical
they submit without reason, they
will,
their children
oppression. As
having no fixed
conduct by, be kind, or
rules to square their
their
moment
directs;
cruel, just
and we ought not
sometimes, galled by their heavy yoke,
they take a malignant pleasure in resting
it
on weaker
shoulders.
But, supposing a
woman,
married to a sensible man,
without making her
trained
who
up
to obedience, be
directs her
feel the servility
judgement
of her subjection,
much propriety by this reflected light as
can be expected when reason is taken at secondhand, yet
she cannot ensure the life of her protector; he may die
to act with as
and leave her with
A
a large family.
double duty devolves on her; to educate them in
the character of both father and mother; to form their
principles
and secure
never thought,
their property. But, alas! she has
much less

acted for herself She has only
learned to please men, to depend gracefully on them;
yet,
encumbered with
children,
51
how
is
she to obtain
Mary WoUstonecraft
another protector – a husband to supply the place of
A
reason?
rational
man,
for
romantic ground, though he
we are not treading on
may think her a pleasing
marry
docile creature, will not choose to
love,
a family for
when the world contains many more pretty creaWhat is then to become of her? She either falls an
prey to some mean fortune-hunter, who defrauds
tures.
easy
her children of their paternal inheritance, and renders
her miserable; or becomes the victim of discontent and
blind indulgence. Unable to educate her sons, or impress
them with
assert, that
respect,
–
for
it
is
not a play on words to
people are never respected, though
important station,
who
are not respectable,
under the anguish of unavailing impotent
serpent’s tooth enters into her very soul,
This
is
I
if
not with
also, to the grave.
is
not an overcharged picture; on the contrary,
a very possible case,
fallen
The
regret.
and the vices
of licentious youth bring her with sorrow,
poverty
filling an
– she pines
it
and something similar must have
under every attentive eye.
have, however, taken
it
was
for granted, that she
well disposed, though experience shows, that the blind
may as easily be led into
a ditch as along the beaten road.
But supposing, no very improbable conjecture, that
being only taught to please must
in pleasing;
will she
be
what an example of
still
folly,
not to say
vice,
be to her innocent daughters! The mother
lost in the coquette, and, instead
a
find her happiness
will
of making friends of
her daughters, view them with eyes askance, for they
are rivals – rivals
more
cruel than any other, because
they invite a comparison, and drive her from the throne
52
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
A
of beauty,
who has never thought of a seat on the bench
of reason.
does not require a lively pencil, or the discriminating
It
outline of a caricature, to sketch the domestic miseries
and petty vices which such
she only acts as a
Still
a mistress of a family diffuses.
woman
ought to
brought
act,
up according to Rousseau’s system. She can never be
reproached for being masculine, or turning out of her
may observe
sphere; nay, she
another of his grand
rules,
and, cautiously preserving her reputation free from spot,
be reckoned a good kind of woman. Yet in what respect
can she be termed good? She abstains,
any great struggle, from
how
does she
enough
fulfil
it is
true,
without
committing gross crimes; but
her duties? Duties! in truth she has
to think of to adorn her
body and nurse
weak
a
constitution.
With respect to
for herself; but
religion, she
conformed,
never presumed to judge
should, to the ceremonies of the
brought up
own
her
in,
have
a
as
dependent creature
Church which she was
piously believing that wiser heads than
settled that business;
and not to doubt
is
her point of perfection. She therefore pays her tithe of
mint and cumin – and thanks her
other
women are.
God
that she
These are the blessed
effects
is
not as
of a good
education! These are the virtues of man’s helpmate!
I
must
relieve
myself by drawing a different picture.
now
Let fancy
understanding, for
mediocrity,
cise,
whose
present a
I
woman
do not wish
to leave the line of
constitution, strengthened
has allowed her body to acquire
mind,
at the
same
with a tolerable
its fiall
by
exer-
vigour; her
time, gradually expanding itself to
53
Mary
Wollstonecraft
comprehend the moral duties of life, and in what human
virtue
and dignity
Formed
consist.
thus by the discharge of the relative duties of
her station, she marries from affection, without losing
and looking beyond matrimonial
sight of prudence,
felicity,
she secures her husband’s respect before
necessary to exert
mean
arts to please
him and
it
is
feed a
doomed to expire when the
object became familiar, when friendship and forbearance
take place of a more ardent affection. This is the natural
dying flame, which nature
death of love, and domestic peace
struggles to prevent
husband to be virtuous; or she
not destroyed by
is
extinction.
its
also
I
is still
suppose the
more
in
want of
a
widow,
independent principles.
Fate,
however, breaks
this tie.
She
is left
perhaps, without a sufficient provision; but she
desolate!
The pang of nature
is felt;
but
after
is
not
time has
softened sorrow into melancholy resignation, her heart
turns to her children with redoubled fondness, and anxi-
ous to provide for them, affection gives a sacred heroic
cast to her maternal duties.
She thinks that not only the
eye sees her virtuous efforts from
now must
flow, and
her imagination, a
whom all her comfort
whose approbation
little
is
abstracted and exalted
life;
by
but
grief,
dwells on the fond hope that the eyes which her trembling
hand closed, may still see how she subdues every wayward
passion to
fulfil
the double duty of being the father as
well as the mother of her children. Raised to heroism by
misfortunes, she represses the first faint dawning of a natural inclination,
before
it
ripens into love, and in the bloom
of life forgets her sex – forgets the pleasure of an awaken-
54
A
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
ing passion, which might again have been inspired and
no longer thinks of pleasing, and conscious
from priding herself on account of
the praise which her conduct demands. Her children
have her love, and her brightest hopes are beyond the
grave, where her imagination often strays.
I think I see her surrounded by her children, reaping
the reward of her care. The intelligent eye meets hers,
whilst health and innocence smile on their chubby
cheeks, and as they grow up the cares of life are lessened
by their grateful attention. She lives to see the virtues
which she endeavoured to plant on principles, fixed into
returned. She
dignity prevents her
habits, to see
her children attain a strength of character
sufficient to enable
them
to endure adversity without
forgetting their mother’s example.
The
task of
life
thus
fulfilled,
the sleep of death, and rising
‘
Behold,
Thou
gavest
me
a
she calmly waits for
from the grave, may say
talent, and here are five
talents.’
I
I
wish to
sum up what I have said in a few words, for
down my gauntlet, and deny the existence
here throw
of sexual virtues, not excepting modesty. For
woman,
truth, if
I
man
and
understand the meaning of the word,
must be the same; yet the fanciful female character, so
prettily drawn by poets and novelists, demanding the
sacrifice of truth and sincerity, virtue becomes a relative
idea, having no other foundation than utility, and of that
men pretend arbitrarily to judge, shaping it to
own convenience.
Women, allow, may have different duties to fulfil;
utility
their
I
but they are human duties, and the principles that should
55
Mary WoUstonecmft
regulate the discharge of them,
I
sturdily maintain,
must
be the same.
To become
standing
is
respectable, the exercise of their under-
necessary, there
independence of character;
they must only
bow
is
I
no other foundation
mean
for
explicitly to say that
to the authority of reason, instead
of being the modest slaves of opinion.
In the superior ranks of life
man
with a
of superior
how
seldom do
or even
abilities,
acquirements? The reason appears to
me
clear, the state
they are born in was an unnatural one.
character has ever been formed by the
individual, or class, pursues;
and
if
we meet
common
The human
employments the
the faculties are not
sharpened by necessity, they must remain obtuse. The
argument may
fairly
be extended to women;
for,
seldom
occupied by serious business, the pursuit of pleasure
gives that insignificancy to their character
the society of the great so insipid.
firmness, produced
to fly
by
from themselves
passions,
and the
till
to noisy pleasures,
and
artificial
vanity takes place of every social affection,
humanity can scarcely be
cerned. Such are the blessings of
at
The same want of
them both
a similar cause, forces
characteristics of
they are
which renders
civil
dis-
governments,
as
present organized, that wealth and female
softness equally tend to debase mankind,
duced by the same cause; but allowing
and are pro-
women
to be
rational creatures, they should be incited to acquire
virtues
which they may
rational being be
obtained by
its
own
call their
own,
for
how
ennobled by anything that
exertions?
56
can a
is
not
Observations on the State of
Degradation
which
to
Woman
is
Reduced hy Various Causes
That woman is naturally weak, or degraded by
rence of circumstances,
I
shall
a concur-
think, clear. But this position
is, I
simply contrast with a conclusion, which
frequently heard
fall
aristocracy: that the
from
men
sensible
in
I
have
favour of an
mass of mankind cannot be any-
thing, or the obsequious slaves,
who
patiently allow
themselves to be driven forward, would
feel their
own
consequence, and spurn their chains. Men, they further
observe, submit everywhere to oppression,
have only to
yet, instead
up
lift
their heads to
throw
when
they
off the yoke;
of asserting their birthright, they quietly
Xet us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.’ Women, I argue from analogy, are degraded
by the same propensity to enjoy the present moment,
and at last despise the freedom which they have not
sufficient virtue to struggle to attain. But I must be more
lick the dust,
and
say,
explicit.
With respect to the culture of the
mously allowed that sex is out of the
line
of rationality granted to
woman
unani-
is
never to
loveliness’, the portion
is,
indeed, very scanty;
denying her genius and judgement,
57
it is
question; but the
of subordination in the mental powers
be passed over. Only ‘absolute in
for
heart,
it
is
scarcely
Mary Wolhtonecmft
possible to divine
what remains
to characterize intellect.
if
may be allowed the
human reason; for, were
The stamen of immortality,
phrase,
man
in
is
the perfectibility of
I
created perfect, or did a flood of knowledge break
upon him, when he arrived at maturity,
error,
I
that precluded
should doubt whether his existence would be
continued after the dissolution of the body. But, in the
present state of things, every difficulty in morals that
human
escapes from
discussion,
and equally
baffles the
investigation of profound thinking, and the lightning
glance of genius,
an argument on which
is
belief of the immortality of the soul.
quentially, the simple
build
I
Reason
is,
power of improvement;
my
conse-
or,
more
properly speaking, of discerning truth. Every individual
is
in this respect a
world
in
itself.
More
or less
may
be
conspicuous in one being than another; but the nature
of reason must be the same in
of divinity, the
tie
all, if it
be an emanation
that connects the creature with the
Creator; for, can that soul be stamped with the heavenly
image, that
is
not perfected by the exercise of
its
own
reason? Yet outwardly ornamented with elaborate care,
and so adorned to delight man,
love’, the soul of
tion,
‘that
with honour he
may
woman is not allowed to have this distinc-
and man, ever placed between her and reason, she is
always represented as only created to see through a gross
medium, and to take things on trust. But dismissing these
fanciftil theories,
it
be what
it
will,
and considering
whether she have reason or
a
moment,
I
woman as
a
whole,
let
instead of a part of man, the inquiry
is
not. If she have, which, for
will take for granted, she
58
was not created
A
Vindication of the Rights …
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