
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
Mary Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Woman is a groundbreaking work of feminist philosophy published in 1792. In it, Wollstonecraft argues that women should be educated and allowed to participate in the public sphere, and that they should be treated as rational beings and not as objects of beauty or pleasure. She argues that women should be allowed to pursue their own interests and that they should be given the same rights and opportunities as men. Wollstonecraft also critiques the traditional education system, which she believes is designed to keep women in a subordinate position. She argues that women should be educated in the same way as men, and that they should be allowed to pursue their own interests and passions. Wollstonecraft's work is considered to be one of the earliest works of feminist philosophy, and it has had a lasting impact on the feminist movement.
By Mary Wollstonecraft · First published 1792 · Genre: Feminist Literature, Philosophy, Non-Fiction · 16 chapters · 86,407 words
First lines
In the present state of society, it appears necessary to go back to first principles in search of the most simple truths, and to dispute with some prevailing prejudice every inch of ground. To clear my way, I must be allowed to ask some plain questions, and the answers will probably appear as unequivocal as the axioms on which reasoning is built; though, when entangled with various motives of action, they are formally contradicted, either by the words or conduct of men.
In what does man's pre-eminence over the brute creation consist? The answer is as clear as that a half is less than the whole; in Reason.
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A Vindication of the Rights of Woman is listed on Textopian as an essay by Mary Wollstonecraft, dated 1792 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Mary Wollstonecraft
- Date: 1792 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Feminist Literature, Philosophy, Non-Fiction, Political Science, History
- Length: 86,407 words
- Structure: 16 chapters, 915 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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- What should a reader notice first when entering A Vindication of the Rights of Woman?
- How does this essay by Mary Wollstonecraft fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
Genres
- Feminist Literature — The title of the book, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman', suggests that the book is about the rights of women and the author, Mary Wollstonecraft, is a feminist writer.
- Philosophy — The book is a philosophical work that discusses the rights of women and the role of women in society.
- Non-Fiction — The book is a non-fiction work that discusses the rights of women and the role of women in society.
- Political Science — The book is a political work that discusses the rights of women and the role of women in society.
Tags
19th century · Best Books Ever Listings · Education · Feminism · Great Britain · History · Women · Women's Rights · affection · allowed · body · character
Contents
- The Rights and Involved Duties of Mankind Considered
- A Brief Sketch of the Life of Mary Wollstonecraft
- The Prevailing Opinion of a Sexual Character Discussed
- A Letter
- Introduction
- The Same Subject Continued
- Observations on the State of Degradation to Which Woman is Reduced by Various Causes
- Animadversions on Some of the Writers Who Have Rendered Women Objects of Pity, Bordering on Contempt
- The Effect Which an Early Association of Ideas Has Upon the Character
- Modesty Comprehensively Considered and Not as a Sexual Virtue
- Morality Undermined by Sexual Notions of the Importance of a Good Reputation
- Of the Pernicious Effects Which Arise from the Unnatural Distinctions Established in Society
- Parental Affection
- Duty to Parents
- On National Education
- Some Instances of the Folly Which the Ignorance of Women Generates; With Concluding Reflections on the Moral Improvement That a Revolution in Female Manners Might Naturally Be Expected to Produce
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