A Vindication of the Rights of Women

In 1792 Mary Wollstonecraft published A Vindication of the Rights of Women. This 80,000+ word discourse is now considered by many as 'the founding text of Anglo-American feminism' (Kaplan, 1986). In it Wollstonecraft clearly puts forward the view that women at that time were being given a rough deal in society and examines both how and why she felt this was. One of her major areas of focus is the lack of equality in education which she blames for leaving her sex 'weak and wretched' (Wollstonecraft, 1792). Further to this it is argued that both sexes are socialised into the belief that women are inferior and that 'Men have further increased that inferiority till women are almost sunk below the standard of rational creatures'. It was not only men that were criticised in the work. She was also critical of many women whom she perceived to beat least perpetuating women's subservient roles if not endorsing them through acceptance and even encouragement of male dominance. It seems she felt it was every woman's duty to stand up and be counted and not be seen as merely a bauble or trophy to be shown off', stating that 'Elegance is inferior to virtue, that the first object of laudable ambition is to obtain a character as a human being, regardless of the distinction of sex'.
Some say that the work was a call to arms for women of the time. Wollstonecraft herself does not view the text in this manner, stating 'women must be educated so they may be reasonable, reasonable so they may be virtuous, virtuous so that all of society may be happier. There is no call to arms in Vindication, no call to take power.' This maybe the case, but there can be no denying that it's tone and subject matter were intended to make both men and women take notice and seriously consider women's positions and roles within society.