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Mary Wollstonecraft A Vindication The Rights Of Women Analysis

862 Words4 Pages

“Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue” (Buddha). In “A Vindication of the Rights of Women” by Mary Wollstonecraft, the path to virtue is through true education and reason. The effects of virtue are illustrated through an enlightened mind, being morally upright, and being able to live a pleasant life. One achieves virtue when one truly understands what his or her education is for, to not only to be able to learn from today’s society, but also from mistakes made in mankind’s past and try to better it. Virtue is to be able to truly reason without …show more content…

One may think that he or she are already educated and live a prosperous life, but wisdom and education are two characteristics that are completely different, and mankind proves it so. Wollstonecraft illustrates this view through the use of several key examples. The effects of virtue are also significant. One effect of becoming virtuous is being able to have an enlightened mind. Wollstonecraft argues in her writing that “men […] build their enjoyment on the misery of their fellow creatures; [that] men were more under the dominion of reason than opinion” (213). She discusses the issue of the elite taking advantage of the lower class or the poor. Wollstonecraft urges her audience that this issue of the elite abusing their power of education and wealth and using it for selfish reasons is causing corruption in our society, but yet, it blindly continues on to this very day and nothing is done to stop it. Wollstonecraft also explains the ignorance that mankind is consumed in, by using the death of Christ. “[H]ad you been a Jew- you would have joined in the cry; crucify him! - crucify him! The promulgator of a new doctrine, and the violator of old laws and customs […]

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