Feminism through the lens of Wollstonecraft

Feminism is a revolutionary movement that has been going on for centuries. There have been numerous writers who have contributed to this dynamic revolution through their phenomenal works. Mary Wollstonecraft was one such influential writer who kindled the spirit of feminism through her work. In her book "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman with Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects" she argues in favour of women’s rights through equal and similar education for women as that of men in the society.

She also criticises the social constructs based on gender differences prevailing in the society where women are forced to live in a certain way which in most cases often revolves around serving men of the society. This paper seeks to establish the relevance of Wollstonecraft’s work in today’s time and to evaluate the iconicity that her work has achieved over the period of time. 

Wollstonecraft’s main focus is on the education of women and her book starts with the argument on why women should be provided with equal education. She bases her argument on two assumptions. First, the power of reason which sets the human mind apart from the rest of the natural beings and second, the virtue and moral goodness which makes one human being better than the other. She states that the god gave us passions and temptations, so that we could gain knowledge by struggling against them. However, most of the men use reasons to justify the prejudices instead of overcoming them.

She disagrees with Rousseau’s argument that humans  should return to their natural state and start acting more like animals again. She insists that the god gave humanity reason and civilization in order to improve life, however many humans have abused these gifts. She continues by mentioning that every human being should have the power to question the decisions of other human beings on rational grounds.