Comparing Mary Wollstonecraft's 'Original Stories From Real Life'

The embodiment of humans’ flaws through the medium of anthropomorphic animals has for centuries demonstrated to be a preferred literary method by which to educate children and adults. Following the steps of Aristotle, The Complete Fables of Jean de La Fontaine juxtaposes the hierarchy in the animal world to the establishment of a human social hierarchy. Meanwhile, Mary Wollstonecraft’s Original Stories from Real Life relies heavily on dialogue and observation to present Wollstonecraft’s argument to practice benevolence towards helpless animals. Both La Fontaine and Wollstonecraft understood the extent to which the unjustified classification of inferior species exacerbates animosity, impedes rational thinking and behavior, and ultimately deteriorates

Wollstonecraft explains the connection between empathy and humanity through Mrs. Mason’s anecdote at the end of chapter two. Mrs. Mason tells the children the story of “…a man that hardened his heart so much, that he found pleasure in tormenting every creature he had any power over…neglected to educate his children…taught them to be cruel while he tormented them…” to make the point that mistreating those inferior to them will cause them to be cruel and make others be cruel as well (l.56-62). Wollstonecraft clearly explains how inferiority is not only true of the human and animal relationship, but in fact true of many other relationships we encounter in society. Mistreating the inferior cause people to lose their sense of humanity, their compassion for others, and eventually creates an everlasting chain of cruel behavior amongst people. Cruelty, as Wollstonecraft contends, is a learned misdemeanor that deteriorates rationality, but which can be avoided if people choose to simply lead a righteous path by treating the inferior the way the superior treat each