Vindication of the Rights of Women

Mary Wollstonecraft's Progressive Limitations

Abstract

During the Enlightenment era, one of the first significant authors of feminist philosophy was a British woman named Mary Wollstonecraft. In 1792, she released The Vindication of the Rights of Women, which discussed a variety of issues, especially the education of females. Wollstonecraft attacked the inequitable system of female education for its subversion of the republican values of liberty and equality, criticizing pedagogical practices that she argued were failing (Richardson 32). Systemic sexism was causing these methods to fail at producing rational and virtuous moral subjects (Rauschenbush-Clough 135). Her outline for a national school system, with coeducation throughout the years of schooling, was a revolutionary notion. Despite the progressive elements of Wollstonecraft’s work, further speculation will reveal that her view was limited by a unique background that restricted her foresight. Her theories are arguably those of a Christian elitist, whose individual experience in the world has limited the perspective upon which she bases her proposal. This presentation will evaluate how the limitations of Wollstonecraft’s perspective may result in circumstances that would not optimize equality within her idealistic system.

Discipline: English

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Asma Sayed