Reply to: The Prevailing Opinion of a Sexual Character Discussed

Today, it goes without saying that men and women should be treated as equals. That isn't always the case, but that's the common belief. However, in the 18th century, that statement couldn't be farther from the truth. Mary Wollstonecraft, one of the first active voices of feminism, was a very well educated woman who made some very excellent points about the development and treatment of women.

When I first printed this assignment off, I had the worst attitude thinking that this excerpt was going to be on how women are superior to men. I was impressed when I read the first five pages, because it was about how women are being held back by society. I actually agree with the majority of she wrote.

The biggest thing that stood out for me personally was that society paints this picture on how a woman should be. The image that I picked up from her writing was that society says that a woman should be uneducated and dependent on men. It in no way encourages equal behavior either.

I believe that women are just as capable in everyday life as men. The societies of yesterday, as well as today (not so much today) fail to see that. I am in favor of being polite and voluntarily holding a door open once in a while, but when it is expected of me because that's what society says, I get a little mad. If one wants equality, then one should accept the fact that he/she will have to pull on a door handle.

Personally, I greatly respect Wollstonecraft. At the time that this was written, there must have been an outrageous amount of controversy. In the 18th century, there was little room for female opinion and insight, and just the fact that she wrote whole books astounds me. She was a very educated woman for her time, as well as ours. The points that she brought up put my thoughts into words.