Mary Wollstonecraft and Education for Women

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Mary Wollstonecraft was a participant in and observer of a significant range of social changes; firstly was the Enlightenment thought which regarded institutions as out-dated, and in need of review, along with changes in religious beliefs, educational theory and domestic structure. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman closely associates itself with the Enlightenment thought which aimed to give reason behind identity and rights, by giving reason to these essential human rights society begin to think differently about their existence. Women during the 18th century and 19th century found themselves separated from the ideology that provided the lifeblood of society, this meant women were more like observers than participants, which fuelled Wollstonecraft’s battle against women being governed and contained by a society they were never allowed to be part of. Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park was written at a time when men and women had very different existences within society, it was empirical that both male and females fulfilled the expectations of their specific sex. Men were privileged as the dominant gender, free to shape and control the society surrounding then, leaving women to accept a life with very little liberty; a private and domestic existence. This brings us back to one of Wollstonecraft’s arguments regarding women having very few options when it came to bettering themselves, marriage was the only acceptable route to wealth and protection.
Austen offers her readership a broad view that represents multiple levels of groups within society, along with the components that make up the culture around her, one of the ways Austen has achieved this is by creating the character of Fanny Price in Mansfield Park. However this novel does not...

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...ho, considering females rather as women than human creatures, have been more anxious to make them alluring mistresses than affectionate wives and rational mothers." (Wollstonecraft, 5) Wollstonecraft and Austen are alike in their beliefs that the seduction of puerile accomplishments is transient; with the aim to transform the 19th century curriculum, set out for women by men, with no attempt to improve the scope of their reason and understanding of the wider social sphere. Both writers aim to allow women to take from marriage every realistic experience, however in order for women to advance mentally and emotionally these marriages must be partnerships. Austen raises Wollstonecraft’s argument so that it reaches the women during her time, discounting blind obedience as nothing more than another male pleasure; advising that reason instead will be much more beneficial.

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