Among the topics, we are exploring in this unit is Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Rights of Woman, a classic statement of human rights written in the 18th century. In this book, Wollstonecraft condemned the wealthy women of her day. Their concerns were shallow, she said; they cared about nothing other than looking beautiful and being attractive to men. She likened such women too fragile dolls made out of porcelain–the sort of doll that is beautiful to look at but which is easily shattered. She urged that women be given the right to pursue the values of the middle class, such as self-sufficiency and hard work. Such women, she wrote, would make better wives and mothers–and citizens of their nation.
At the time, many people read Wollstonecraft’s ideas, but little was done in response. It took many years for women to gain such fundamental rights as the right to own property and vote in elections. By contrast, few today would argue with Wollstonecraft’s ideas.
In this forum, you are asked to consider to what extent the problems noted by Wollstonecraft still exist. What has been accomplished? What remains to be done? Write a response of about 200-300 words by the indicated due date of October 21, 11:59 p.m.. Be sure also to post at least two replies to comments made by other students in the class; this must be done no later than October 24, 11:59 p.m.
In your posts, feel free to address any other responses you might have to the material studied in this unit.
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