Mary Wollstonecraft Flashcards
When was Mary Wollstonecraft born, and when did she die?
Born: 1759
Died: 1797
What was Mary Wollstonecraft’s personal life?
- Never went to university
- Violent father, who made vain attempts to become a gentleman farmer, even though they were middle class
- Helped sister escape an abusive marriage
- Multiple suicide attempts
- Left home at 19
- Observed the French Revolution first-hand
- Passionate woman
Who did Mary Wollstonecraft marry & give birth to?
Deserted by Gilbert Imlay (American businessman) after birth of first child (out of wedlock)
Then married philosopher/poet/writer William Godwin. They lived separately, and gave birth to Mary Shelley (author of Frankenstein).
She died of blood sepsis shortly after giving birth.
What book did Mary Wollstonecraft write?
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)
She also wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Man in 1790
What did Mary Wollstonecraft say about women in society at the time?
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What did Mary Wollstonecraft compare women’s conditions to?
Birds in a Cage:
‘Confined in cages like the feathered race, they have nothing to do but to plume themselves, and stalk with mock majesty from perch to perch. It is true that they are provided with food and raiment [attire], for which they neither toil nor spin; but health, liberty, and virtue are given [over] in exchange’.
Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.
Who is considered to be the First Feminist?
Mary Wollstonecraft
What is the impact of Mary Wollstonecraft’s work?
Wollenstonecraft is often considered to be one of the founders of fmininsm. She i one of the few women to break into the male-dominated world of philosphy.
Her work was revived during the first & second waves of feminism; and her views are still studied to this day and have an impact on the struggles facing modern women & feeminism
What did Wollstonecraft write in A Vindication of the Rights of Man (1790) ?
She argues against Edmund Burke’s ‘Reflection on the Revolution in France’; looking at the general political philosophy rather than specific claims.
Burke was concerned about abolishing systems in favour of abstract rights of humans would run contrary to culture & human nature. Wollstonecraft argues that we needed way more freedom, and a simplification of many of the institutions of government.
What did Wollstonecraft write in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) ?
d
