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Judith Sargent Murray's Use Of Irony

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In 1790, Judith Sargent Murray, a writer and publisher from Massachusetts, published an argument regarding the equality of sexes. In Murray’s opening sentence she states, “our souls are by nature equal to yours.” The statement provides insight of the purpose of her argument, that men and women are equal. The men and women breathe the same breath of God, and that neither is lower than the other. Murray says that from her observations there are “as many females as males, by the mere force of natural powers, have merited the crown of applause.” Therefore, whether female or male, they have both been praised with fame. Secondly, Murray recognizes her opposing argument, the ones who are superior in mind and strength. Since man is the beginning of creation, he holds the strength. However, there have been such females with this strength, and also men who behold the strength specified “effeminate” to females. Therefore, if animal strength proved nature, if there are females with the superior strength equivalent to a man, it is said to be an advantage. However, she asks for equality, and not advantage, over sex.
Likewise to the main text, women did …show more content…

It is stated that Murray was one of the first women who argued “women’s capacity to reason.” Murray argued for the same men and women educational facilities, inaugurating change within the socialization. Murray also joined reformations with other women against the reconstruction of gender equality. Galewski’s close reading of Murray’s text reveals two types of irony used within, romantic and dialectical. The ironies coordinate within each other in the text which makes the argument more persuasive. However, Murray’s argument successfully conveys women’s mental potential. However, Murray was only the beginning of the equality for

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