Mary Astell has been described as one of the early feminists who truly believed in what she wrote even if it was not socially acceptable. She was able to persevere through the hardships she had as a young adult. Through her sharp tone, she spread the idea of women’s rights and education. Mary Astell is one of the most influential women in history, and women in western civilizations have felt the effect of her work.
Astell was able to obtain an education at a time when women were not provided with one. She was born on November 12, 1666 in Newcastle on Tyne. Her family was strict Anglican. Astell did not attend school, but she was instead taught at home by her uncle, Ralph Astell, who gave her an interest in politics and philosophy (“Astell,
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Mary” 32). Her father died in 1678, and she was left in the care of her mother. Finances became worse and made the prospect of marriage for Astell unlikely (“Astell, Mary” 32). One year later, her uncle died, and she was left on her own to continue her education. She became versed in many subjects and kept up with political debates of the time. With this, Astell developed an interest particularly in political philosophy and began in-depth study of it (“Astell, Mary” 32). Her interest in philosophy continued throughout her lifetime. This is partly due to the education her uncle, Ralph Astell, provided her (Atherton 355). He was a Neoplatonist, which was a member of the philosophical school based in Cambridge that supported beliefs based on rationalism and the teachings of Aristotle, Plato, and Pythagoras. The intellectually stimulating education inspired Astell to develop her mind (“Astell, Mary” 32).When she was older, she moved to Chelsea in London. This move is seemingly spontaneous because she left her family behind. According to Margaret Atherton, who wrote “Astell, Mary (1666-1731)”, “Scholars are tantalizing ignorant of the circumstances that prompted this move and of Astell’s prospects in London” (355). However, Chelsea was the home of many intellectuals and artists, which may be the reason behind the move (“Astell, Mary” 32). After some years of struggling in poverty, she established herself in Chelsea with the help of her friend, Lady Catherine Jones, in 1695 (Atherton 355). Intellectual and self-thinking women surrounded her. This prompted her to begin her career of writing her feminist philosophy. Astell’s works were controversial, which was the reason why she had to publish them anonymously. However, Judith A.V. Harlan and Kathleen McCoy, the writers of “Mary Astell (1666-1731)”, described her works as “sharp, mocking, and familiar in tone” (166). She also developed the theme of women deserving to receive an education. Her works showed the perspective of a woman who was fortunate enough to develop her mind and think intellectually. The article “Astell, Mary” in the Encyclopedia of World Biography adds, “In an era where the ideas of political philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were causing intellectual foment, Astell provided a voice for intellectually engaged women and, through her outspokenness and persuasive writings, gained a significant following among other members of her sex” (32). Her first major writing was A Serious Proposal to the Ladies (1694). In this, she argued that the rationality and natural intelligence women possess means they deserve an education, which would enable them to develop their minds and live a life devoted to themselves (Atherton 362). The theme of education for women is continued in Some Reflections upon Marriage Occasion’d by the Duke and Duchess of Magazine’s Case, Which is Also Consider’d (1700), in which she argues further that an education will help women and that marriage is unhealthy for those without a proper education (Atherton 362). She mocks the idea of the necessity of marriage for an intelligent woman and the idea of courtship itself (“Mary Astell (1666-1731)” 166). In 1687, Astell wrote her most popular work: A Serious Proposal to the Ladies, Part II. Wherein a Method Is Offer'd for the Improvement of Their Minds (“Astell, Mary.” 33). She gave detailed instruction on how to develop logic and rationalism. These works gave Astell the name of an early feminist although they are not the only volumes she wrote. Astell also wrote several political pamphlets and pro-royalist works. In 1703, she published An Impartial Inquiry into the Causes of Rebellion and Civil War in This Kingdom and A Fair Way with the Dissenters and Their Patrons. Not Writ by Mr. L—y, or any Other Furious Jacobite Whether Clergyman or Layman; But by a Very Moderate Person and Dutiful Subject to the Queen in 1704. These writings were attacks on those who argued against England’s Queen Anne (“Astell, Mary” 33). In fact, Astell loved to critique other contemporary writings based on her views (“Astell, Mary” 33). This eventually gave way to her well-known published correspondence and writings about Christianity. In September of 1693, she corresponded with Reverend John Norris for a year. She rejected his idea of women having a specific role in God’s plan for everyone and wrote the volume Letters Concerning the Love of God, Between the Author of the Proposal to the Ladies and Mr. John Norris. Wherein His Late Discourse Shewing That It Ought to Be Intire and Exclusive of All Other Loves, Is Further Cleared and Justified (“Astell, Mary” 33). Her major piece on Christianity was The Christian Religion, as profess’d by a daughter of the Church of England (1705) (Atherton 362). In this, she continues to argue for a “quasi-religious college for women” (“Astell, Mary” 33). She also insists that people everywhere must realize that the mind is united with the body and should be just as developed (Atherton 356). These writings show her character, which was described in “Astell, Mary” as “A devout Christian who possessed strong reasoning skills and an interest in philosophy” (32). Mary Astell was controversial and never conformed to the ideal image of a woman at that time.
Margaret Atherton, the writer of “Astell, Mary (1666-1731)”, contends, “She has been hailed as an early feminist” (355). Through her sharp wit, she spread the ideas of education for women. She argued against marriage at a time when marriage was not an ideal arrangement for a woman. She was unapologetic for her ideas and writings. She gained a following of women based on her works as well as a following of detractors of her work. However, she kept writing, and eventually Queen Ann considered following what Astell wrote (“Astell, Mary” 33). Judith A.V. Harlan and Kathleen McCoy, writers of “Mary Astell (1666-1731)”, wrote “Although Astell’s works were all published anonymously, she was an early champion of women’s causes, and her arguments influenced the early Feminist discussions” (166).
Women across western civilizations have felt the effects of one of the most influential women in history, known as Mary Astell. Most may not know her name, but without her, education for women would never have been an issue. The controversial work she produced made many in England think about the issue of women’s rights. Mary Astell is not to be forgotten among women in the
world. Works Cited "Astell, Mary." Encyclopedia of World Biography, edited by Andrea Henderson, 2nd ed., vol. 24, Gal e, 2005, pp. 32-34. Gale Virtual Reference Library, 11 Apr. 2017. Atherton, Margaret. "Astell, Mary (1666–1731)." Encyclopedia of Philosophy, edited by Donald M. Borchert, 2nd ed., vol. 1, Macmillan Reference USA, 2006, pp. 355-356. Gale Virtual Reference Library, 11 Apr. 2017. Harlan, Judith A.V., and Kathleen McCoy. "Mary Astell (1666-1731)." English Literature to 1785, by Kathleen McCoy and Judith Harlan, HarperPerennial, 1992, p. 166+. Student Resources in Context, Accessed 11 Apr. 2017.
In the eighteenth century, the process of choosing a husband and marrying was not always beneficial to the woman. A myriad of factors prevented women from marrying a man that she herself loved. Additionally, the men that women in the eighteenth century did end up with certainly had the potential to be abusive. The attitudes of Charlotte Lennox and Anna Williams toward women’s desire for male companionship, as well as the politics of sexuality, are very different. Although both Charlotte Lennox and Anna Williams express a desire for men in their poetry, Charlotte Lennox views the implications of this desire differently than Anna Williams.
In addition, Britain’s societal transformation augmented women’s role in society, and according to Braybon in “Women Workers in The First World War,” “A completely different pattern of life was established. for women” and that society had “prevailing attitudes towards women as workers” (Braybon 16). The newfangled life given to women gave most women an enormous surge in recognition throughout society, as people valued women a lot more after they became the backbone of the production of nearly all British goods. Concurrently, King underscores this point in her novel, as throughout the novel, Mary is never discriminated against simply for being a woman. In preceding years and throughout history, society typically perceived women as naturally inferior to men, and women’s occupations were limited to taking care of the family and domestic occupations.
Born as a free woman in London, England Mary argued for education along with unjust laws for women that subjected them to a form of slavery. As the world around her at the time was facing a political breakthrough with the United States using idea’s formed by philosophers John Locke and Thomas Hobbes theories in the social contract, to break free from England, she hoped the French Revolution would create an era of equality and reason. Wollstonecraft places her opinion that the condition of adult women is caused by the neglect of education for girls. Most of the essay is based on her argument for education of
Woolstoncraft, Mary. A Vindication of The Rights of Woman. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. 3rd Ed. Volume D. Ed. Martin Puchner. New York: Norton, 2013. 134-136. Print.
1. She is regarded as the “Grandmother of British Feminism” whose ideals helped shape the
Throughout history, women have struggled with, and fought against, oppression. They have been held back and weighed down by the sexist ideas of a male dominated society which has controlled cultural, economic and political ideas and structures. During the mid-1800’s to early 1900’s women became more vocal and rebuked sexism and the role that had been defined for them. Fighting with the powerful written word, women sought a voice, equality amongst men and an identity outside of their family. In many literary writings, especially by women, during the mid-1800’s to early 1900’s, we see symbols of oppression and the search for gender equality in society.
Mary Wollstonecraft was as revolutionary in her writings as Thomas Paine. They were both very effective writers and conveyed the messages of their ideas quite well even though both only had only the most basic education. Wollstonecraft was a woman writing about women's rights at a time when these rights were simply non-existent and this made her different from Paine because she was breaking new ground, thus making her unique. Throughout her lifetime, Wollstonecraft wrote about the misconception that women did not need an education, but were only meant to be submissive to man. Women were treated like a decoration that had no real function except to amuse and beguile. Wollstonecraft was the true leader in women's rights, advocating a partnership in relationships and marriage rather than a dictatorship. She was firm in her conviction that education would give women the ability to take a more active role in life itself.
The industrialization of the nineteenth century was a tremendous social change in which Britain initially took the lead on. This meant for the middle class a new opening for change which has been continuing on for generations. Sex and gender roles have become one of the main focuses for many people in this Victorian period. Sarah Stickney Ellis was a writer who argued that it was the religious duty of women to improve society. Ellis felt domestic duties were not the only duties women should be focusing on and thus wrote a book entitled “The Women of England.” The primary document of Sarah Stickney Ellis’s “The Women of England” examines how a change in attitude is greatly needed for the way women were perceived during the nineteenth century. Today women have the freedom to have an education, and make their own career choice. She discusses a range of topics to help her female readers to cultivate their “highest attributes” as pillars of family life#. While looking at Sarah Stickney Ellis as a writer and by also looking at women of the nineteenth century, we will be able to understand the duties of women throughout this century. Throughout this paper I will discuss the duties which Ellis refers to and why she wanted a great change.
Mary Wollstonecraft lived with a violet and abusive father which led her to taking care of her mom and sister at an early age. Fanny Blood played an important role in her life to opening her to new ideas of how she actually sees things. Mary opened a school with her sister Eliza and their friend Fanny Blood. Back then for them being a teacher made them earn a living during that time, this made her determined to not rely on men again. Mary felt as if having a job where she gets paid for doing something that back then was considered respected than she wouldn’t need a man to be giving her money. She wasn’t only a women’s right activist but she was a scholar, educator and journalist which led her to writing books about women’s rights.
In nineteenth century England, the lives of men and women were completely different. The women had very few - or no - rights and the man had absolute power over his wife and children. He even had the rights to his wife's income or heritage! The only acceptable way for a woman to lead her life was to be a social character, a supporting wife and loving mother, so to speak an "angel in the house". The term "the angel in the house" refers to Coventry Patmore's poem with the same name. The poem depicts the ideal of a loving, unselfish, (sexually) passive and sensitive woman, who was religious and devoted to please her husband: "Man must be please; but him to please, is woman's pleasure --- And if he once, by shame oppress'd [sic!], a comfortable word confers, she leans and weeps against his breast, and seems to think the sin was hers --- she loves with love that cannot tire...". This was the only acceptable way of life for a woman and in this essay I discuss whether Helen Graham should be described as an angel or a rebel, and to what extent she fulfils the criteria for a woman's mission in nineteenth century England.
Wollstonecraft, Mary. “A Vindication of the Rights of Women with Structures on Political and Moral
Published in 1696, the authorship of An Essay in Defence of the Female sex has been a subject of debate for a long time. Initially the work had been attributed to the contemporary author of Judith Drake, Mary Astell. However this controversy has been cleared with Judith Drake as the decided author of this work. The controversy perhaps emanated from the fact that no author had been indicated on the letter. It was only stated, ‘Written by a lady’. This has been interpreted by some literary analysts as a having been done deliberately by the author to emphasize her message of feminism, the key theme in the work. (Hannah, 2006).
Feminism today remains prominent because even while women’s rights are very strong, women are still fighting for equality every day. In the time of Anne Bradstreet, women had few rights and they were seen as inferior to men. Anne lived among the puritans whom ruled her everyday life. Although it was against the puritan code for women to receive an education, Bradstreet’s father, Thomas Dudley, loved his daughter dearly and made sure that she was well educated which shows in her works. Anne Bradstreet’s literature became well known only because her family published her works under a male name. This was done because writing poetry was a serious offense to the puritans since poetry was considered creative and the only creating that was done was by God. In the works of Anne Bradstreet, she conveys a feminist attitude, and could very well be one of the first American Feminists.
Mary Wollstonecraft was a self-educated, radical philosopher who wrote about liberation, and empowering women. She had a powerful voice on her views of the rights of women to get good education and career opportunities. She pioneered the debate for women’s rights inspiring many of the 19th and the 20th century’s writers and philosophers to fight for women’s rights, as well. She did not only criticize men for not giving women their rights, she also put a blame on women for being voiceless and subservient. Her life and, the surrounding events of her time, accompanied by the strong will of her, had surely affected the way she chose to live her life, and to form her own philosophies.
Wojczak, Helena. “English Women’s History.” English women’s history. Hasting Press. n.d. Web 24 Nov 2013