Individualist Feminist:Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft (27 April 1759 - 10 September 1797) was a British writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights. Until the late 20th century, Wollstonecraft's life, which encompassed several unconventional personal relationships at the time, received more attention than her writing. Wollstonecraft is regarded as one of the founding feminist philosophers, and feminists often cite both her life and her works as important influences.
1 Biography
Mary Wollstonecraft was born on April 27, 1759, in Spitalfields, London. She grew up amidst financial instability and her father's abusive behavior. Despite these challenges, she received some education and developed a passion for literature and philosophy. In 1778, she began working as a lady's companion in Bath, seeking independence from her family's troubles. Moving to London in the 1780s, Wollstonecraft immersed herself in intellectual circles supported by Joseph Johnson, a publisher. Her critical work, "A Vindication of the Rights of Men" (1790), garnered attention for its response to Edmund Burke's conservative views. Her most influential work, "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792), argued fervently for women's education and equality. During the French Revolution, Wollstonecraft lived in France, where she experienced political turmoil and a tumultuous relationship with Gilbert Imlay, resulting in the birth of their daughter. Returning to England in 1795, she faced personal challenges, including failed relationships and struggles with depression. In 1797, Wollstonecraft married William Godwin, but tragically died shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (later Mary Shelley). Despite her short life, her writings continue to inspire feminist movements, advocating passionately for women's rights, education, and personal freedom.
2 Main theories
Advocacy for Education
Wollstonecraft believes the state should implement national education, integrating boarding schools with private education, and establishing "day schools" where students study during the day and return home at night. She proposes this model to eliminate the drawbacks of boarding schools, such as fostering greed, sloppiness, and an unstable anticipation of holidays. This educational model aims to foster social interaction and stimulate independent thinking rather than merely providing answers. Additionally, Wollstonecraft advocates for free education for children aged five to nine at day schools, irrespective of social class. She argues that boys and girls should receive the same education and adhere to the same rules to cultivate a sense of equality. Beyond the age of nine, children should attend schools tailored to their life goals. Morning classes should be uniform, while in the afternoon, girls could engage in activities like sewing, and affluent boys could delve into sciences, history, or politics.
Views on Women's Education
Wollstonecraft emphasizes the necessity of addressing long-overlooked rights to female education. She believes that reforming the education system can foster gender equality and societal well-being. She argues against society's tendency to distinguish between "people" and "women," asserting that defending women's education is a fundamental right for every individual. In "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman," she writes, "I consider the most perfect education to be that which uses reason to strengthen both body and mind." Wollstonecraft argues that if women are denied education and equal status, human knowledge will stagnate, as half of humanity consists of women. When both sexes have equal access to education, they have the opportunity to pursue greater truths. Furthermore, without rational thinking, women cannot grasp the importance of virtue and responsibility as men do.
Women's Rights
Wollstonecraft argues that women should have the freedom and economic rights to become independent individuals without relying on men. She believes that rights traditionally expected of men should also apply to women. After women become responsible citizens, Wollstonecraft suggests that men should provide more legal protections, such as allowing women parliamentary seats. In "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman," Wollstonecraft explicitly outlines how society should treat women. She attributes the lack of women's rights to patriarchal oppression and the limitations of the education system, urging men to share rights with women.
Detriment of Female Disenfranchisement
Wollstonecraft believes that if women cannot participate in legal and political affairs, they will rely excessively on sentimentality and lack rational logic. Consequently, mothers will fail to educate intellectually capable children, leading girls to follow paths devoid of virtue and reason, while boys may become aimless. This cycle stagnates society, as women's intellect and abilities are overlooked, preventing them from fulfilling their inherent responsibilities and exacerbating male disdain for women's existence.
Views on Gender
Wollstonecraft argues that women, as daughters, wives, and mothers, should be judged on their moral conduct in fulfilling these roles. However, she emphasizes that women's ultimate goal should be to demonstrate their talents and earn respect for their conscious virtues. She rejects using women's physical weakness as a means to garner sympathy from husbands and criticizes male arrogance.
Gender Differences
Wollstonecraft recognizes physical strength as a significant difference between men and women under natural law. She also observes male resistance to "masculinized women" as a means to suppress women's quest for equality.
Reason, Virtue, and Knowledge
Wollstonecraft underscores the importance of reason and knowledge, echoing the Enlightenment's emphasis. She regards reason as the foundation of knowledge and virtue, asserting that the pursuit of truth is the same for both genders.
3 Major works
Educational Works
Mary Wollstonecraft's early productions focus on education. She compiled "The Female Reader" and translated children's works like Maria Geertruida van de Werken de Cambon's "Young Grandison" and Christian Gotthilf Salzmann's "Elements of Morality." Her own writings, like "Thoughts on the Education of Daughters" and "Original Stories from Real Life," advocate for reasoning and virtue in middle-class upbringing, influenced by John Locke and the sensibility movement.
Vindications
In "A Vindication of the Rights of Men" (1790), Wollstonecraft responds to Edmund Burke's defense of aristocracy, attacking monarchy and advocating republicanism. Her critique of Burke's gendered language and promotion of rationality over tradition marked a significant feminist and political statement, setting the stage for her more famous work.
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
"A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792) is a foundational feminist work arguing for women's education and rights equal to men. Wollstonecraft critiques societal views of women as ornaments, advocating for their intellectual and moral development. She challenges writers like Rousseau for limiting women's education to pleasing men, asserting women's capacity to contribute to society as equals.
Novels
Wollstonecraft's novels, such as "Mary: A Fiction" (1788) and "Maria: or, The Wrongs of Woman" (1798), critique the oppressive institution of marriage and advocate for women's autonomy and fulfillment outside traditional roles. Her novels also critique the sensibility movement, which she believed undermined women's rationality and agency. Letters Written in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark (1796): In her travel narrative, Wollstonecraft reflects on societal and philosophical issues while exploring Scandinavia. She celebrates natural beauty but critiques commercialism and societal constraints. This work emphasizes her evolving views on the role of imagination and sentiment, continuing her advocacy for women's liberation and education.
