Mary Wollstonecraft: Feminist Scholar
Published: 7 May, 2020
Author: Dharmendra Yadav
Author: Dharmendra Yadav
Early Life of Mary
Mary Wollstonecraft was born on April 27, 1759, Spitalfields, London. She was an English scholar who throughout her life fought against the oppression of women and denial of their rights and she was among the founding feminist philosophers. In her books, A Vindication of the rights of women and Thoughts on the education of Daughters, she emphasized on how women were denied social, cultural, religious and political space during her time, especially the white middle-class women. On the humanitarian ground, she defended women’s right in her book.
She influenced feminist and their movement across the world, her idea was very pragmatic in defence of women’s right. She had affairs with Henry Fuseli, Gilbert Imlay and later in her life married to William Godwin, who was a great scholar as well and extended her writings. Emma Goldman quotes, “Mary Wollstonecraft the pioneer of modern womanhood”.
A Feminist rally of Women, demanding their rights.
Mary Wollstonecraft and slavery of women
Throughout Europe mostly in Britain, the conditions of women were pathetic they were treated as slaves. No rights to them especially women of white-middle class background. According to her, there were no political parties in Britain who were looking to end institutionalized slavery and defend their natural rights.
Four events that happened to bring minute change in European society was, first, Agitation over the question in England that included the case of the slaves of Somerset and Philip Westley’s. Second, French Revolution, Third, Catherine Macaulay’s Letter on Education (1790) that argues against sexual difference; and fourth, successful revolution by slaves in the French colony on San Domingo in the year 1791. These four events were based on self – respect and equality. In the 18th century group of Conservative and radical women protested against the marriage, love as a form of slavery pressed by men over women.
In her book (1788) she speaks through a character, "I will work……….. Do anything rather than be a slave". According to her marriage was a form of slavery wife’s were slaves to husbands, everything was decided by men, women hold no claim in property, no financial autonomy to them, for a single penny they have to depend on male. She claims that women need to given equal opportunity and representation in parliament and distribution of wealth as well.
She challenges the legality of Rights of men graphically represents slavery as how it is authorized by law to fasten her fangs on human flesh………… and eat into the very soul (Wollstonecraft, 1790:76). She explicitly argues that no slavery is natural and all forms of slavery regardless of context are human construction, start from the premises that all men slaves women and that sexual desire are a primary motivation. “I view, with indignation, the mistaken notions that enslave my sex……………. I will assert that all cause of female weakness, as well as depravity, which I have already enslaved on, branch out of one grand cause, want to chastity in men.”
In her book, A Vindication of the rights of women, she recites Men dominating women as a plutocrat dominates slaves; as blind obedience is ever sought for by power Tyrants and sensualities are in the right when they endeavour to keep women in the dark because the former only want slaves and the latter a plaything……… All sacred rights of humanity are violated by insisting on blind obedience: or the most sacred rights belong only to men.”
The moral and political philosophy of Family
There was an important reason behind writings on the philosophy of Family, people like Edmund Burke who was a Conservative as he said once the destruction of traditional patriarchal family led to falling of Christian civilisation and its ethos and can bring instability in society, hence Barbarism. But going against the idea of Edmund Burke, Mary Wollstonecraft aggressively says the transformation of the family structure is the key to the morally and religiously progressive transformation of the society and politics at large. Respecting choice and perspective of women will have a good impact on English society, which can be a just society. If women would be supported to do outside work like men, the income of the nation will be doubled which can lead to massive progress and prosperity.
Wollstonecraft vociferously argues, Burke was wrong when he says “if you wish to make good citizens, you first exercise the affection of a son and a brother.” Going against Burke she says, the traditional, patriarchal family perverted, rather than inspired the natural affection that should Foster the development of moral, social and political virtue that seems like the foundation of just humane society; women should be given equal rights in deciding for the family.
She called for a drastic reform in marriages, divorce, property law that would encourage equality between the spouses and siblings. Marriages should be based on the friendship between two equals, if she is not happy with a partner she has right to divorce anytime and finally property and wealth through which she can decide her fate. She also urges parents in the family not to discipline their children to let them do whatever they wish to, they can decide by their own what’s maybe good or bad for them.
Mary on Education
In her book, Thought on the education of Daughters, she recites women are not naturally inferior to men but appear due to lack of education and education system which is desired by Rousseau is male-centric and make women ‘alluring mistress rather than affectionate wives and rational mothers’. She emphasised social order based on Reason and women should be treated equally at any cost.
The most perfect education, in my opinion, is such an exercise of the understanding as is best calculated to strength and form, the heart and nurture human capability to its best in scientific form. In other words, to enable an individual to attain such habits of virtue as will render it’s independent. The Rousseau’s opinion respected only men, but she extended to women who were historically deprived of their educational right and treated like an alien at their place.
Throughout her life, she advocated for the equal educational rights for women and the promotion of co-education which help in understanding the perspective of each other and respecting of opinion lead discrimination-free and just society.
Throughout her life, she advocated for the equal educational rights for women and the promotion of co-education which help in understanding the perspective of each other and respecting of opinion lead discrimination-free and just society.
Mary Wollstonecraft and the Feminist Movement
Although, she died at an early age of 38 years but created the base for feminist thought and their discourses to think and act. Sapiro acknowledges that several nineteenth-century women’s right advocates including Lucretia Mott, Margaret fuller, Elizabeth cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony was much familiar with Wollstonecraft work and also how to break the notion of patriarchy and male domination in society. Her dynamic personality remained powerful and most influential.
Black women civil rights movement in America to seek equal job and opportunity especially in government sectors were also inspired by Wollstonecraft. They quoted Wollstonecraft everywhere to justify their demand and end of discriminatory practices and injustice based on colour or race. The entire feminist Movement inspired by her whether it’s developed or developing nation.
She was marvellous personality, educationist, political philosopher, the activist who agitated throughout her life for the equality of women based on reason to establish just and discrimination-free society where all individuals respected equally.
