Birth of Feminism

Mary Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Rights of Women is one of the earliest forms of feminist philosophy. The main aim of the piece is act as respondent to the educated population in the 18^th century who believed that women shouldn’t have an education. Wollstonecraft quite boldly countered this idea by saying that women needed education because it was their job to educate the children (as men were clearly too “busy” to do so) but also so that they were a suitable companion for their husbands.

She wrote initially in response to many opinions that were voiced during the French Revolution. At this time, the educated Frenchmen were batting around some very high class philosophic ideas that are still present today. It was also common for Englishmen to come back with arguments to these ideas too. However, Wollstonecraft entered this fray not only as one of the English people who were arguing against the French, but also as a woman which in context was especially unheard of.

Her most famous piece of literature, A Vindication of the Rights of Women is a satiric piece. Not only was it almost unheard of that women would have published works in this century, her works also came as a shock because of the level of sarcasm and humour that it featured. Focusing on her fourth chapter; Observations on the State of Degradation to which Woman is Reduced by Various Causes, this explores the common perception that women are weaker than men. Furthermore, once Mary Wollstonecraft argues her point of view on the matter, she then fights for a re-assessment of women’s perception in her 18^th century society.

This isn’t the only time that she is negative towards men in her works; in fact it is a very common theme. There have been many ideas as to why this opinion of hers is so apparent but one that I personally believe would have a great impact is the fact that the main male role model in her home, her father, was an abusive drunk. This childhood event would mot likely cause her to have such strong opinion of men and effect her own perceptions of them.