Mary Wollstonecraft Declaration Of Woman Summary

This book was actually published in the year of 1792 (one of the earliest feminist works) by Mary Wollstonecraft that touched on the philosophy of feminist. Mary mentioned that human’s greatest gift is able to Reason, including women. However, women were discouraged to receive education because it was thought “unnecessary” due to women only served as supplement for men. Thus, Mary argued for women’s education for the benefits of her family (Besides, how should a woman void of reflection be capable of educating her children? Ch 5, para 49) or even nation and they should enjoy equal rights with men. These ideologies shocked the English society because they challenged the moral foundation of that time. Although Mary worked for female rights (which is rare during the 18th century), but she is also a product of her time, unavoidably.

The Revolution ended the absolute monarchy system and brought the country to a new chapter: government with limited power, human rights and equality and scientific problem solving skills. Another French feminist was Olympe de Gorges who wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Woman, she argues that equality should not only apply to politics but gender equality. The Declaration published one year earlier than Mary’s work, which I assume Mary was partly influenced by Olympe that makes her to hold her view more firmly. There are few similarities in Mary’s book and the Declaration, for example, independence of women, equal rights and treatments for both men and women, gender equality will benefit the society, etc. Mary explained these ideologies in a more detailed way and she emphasized on women as an independence