Question

source: mary wollstonecraft, a vindication of the rights of woman, 1792
note: british author mary wollstonecraft wrote novels, a history of the french revolution, a travel journal, and a childrens book in addition to a vindication of the rights of woman. during the 18th century, most people believed that women should be beautiful, emotional and dependent on men. therefore, women were discouraged from studying history, geography, and rhetoric, which all teach people how to make logical, reasoned arguments.
chapter 2 the prevailing opinion of a sexual character discussed
the most perfect education, in my opinion, is... to enable the individual to attain such habits of virtue as will render her independent. in fact, it is a farce joke to call any being virtuous worthy whose skills do not result from the exercise of her own reason.
chapter 12 on national education
to render make mankind more virtuous, and happier of course, both sexes must act from the same principle;... women must be allowed to found their virtue on knowledge, which is scarcely possible unless they be educated by the same pursuits studies as men. for they are now made so inferior by ignorance and low desires, as not to deserve to be ranked with them....
in short,... reason and experience convince me that the only method of leading women to fulfill their peculiar duties is to free them from all restraint by allowing them to participate in the inherent rights of mankind. make them free, and they will quickly become wise and virtuous....
document analysis

1. in what year is mary wollstonecraft writing these words? what revolution was going on at the time?
2. how does wollstonecraft believe women compare to men? what does wollstonecraft recommend in order to make women equal to men?
3. what methods did wollstonecraft use to reach her conclusions?
4. what is wollstonecrafts main idea?
5. in what ways are the main ideas of wollstonecraft, locke, smith, and voltaire similar?

Explanation:

1. The source line indicates the text is from Wollstonecraft’s 1792 work, and the note mentions she wrote a history of the French Revolution, which was ongoing then.
2. Wollstonecraft argues women are made inferior by ignorance, not inherent nature; she recommends equal education and freedom.
3. She uses reason (logical argument) and references her observations of women’s constraints (experience).
4. Her core idea is that women need freedom and equal education to develop virtue and reason, achieving equality.
5. All four thinkers emphasize reason, individual rights, and challenging traditional hierarchies (Enlightenment values).

Answer:

1. 1792; the French Revolution
2. Women are made inferior by ignorance, not inherently; she recommends equal education and freedom.
3. Reason and experience
4. Women need freedom and equal education to become virtuous and equal to men.
5. They all promote reason, individual rights, and challenging traditional authority/hierarchies.