Commencing in the early eighteenth century, the Romantic era sought not only to transform the essence of human experience through challenging the unyielding and judicious constraints in the social and political realms of neoclassicism but also to introduce revolutionarily eccentric ways of thinking, whilst provoking the ideals and notions of the period through movements in arts and literature. Mary Wollstonecraft’s earliest work of feminist philosophy “A Vindication in the Rights of Women” explores the struggle for equality between the sexes in specific areas of human life as well as the societal impacts on the education of women and lack thereof. Correspondingly, Eugène Delacroix’s historically renowned “Liberty Leading the people” commemorates
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Both works possess an enduring relevance to the ideologies and attitudes of the era as well as the morals and standards of contemporary society.
Breaking free from the rigorous and authoritarian legislations of enlightenment, the Romantic era paved the way for the new way of thinking, which allowed notions of liberty and creativity to prevail. Written in regards to the chauvinist comments of the late bishop of Autun, Wollstonecraft’s personal manifesto acts as the groundwork of her demand for equality. Whilst discussing the prevailing opinion of sexual character, Wollstonecraft declares “Men try to secure the good conduct of women by attempting to keep them always in a state of childhood”. Notably indicating her firm belief that man’s prejudice and restrictions against women come as a result of their own insecurity and by doing so woman remains reliant on her spouse making him feel both essential and …show more content…
Wollstonecraft inherits this attitude, inspiring her to elaborate on topics once deemed unspeakable in all of humanity. In the midst of discussing the significance of a good reputation, Wollstonecraft avows, “it is reputation, not chastity that [women] are employed to keep free from spot”. She clearly identifies the “eye of man” as the oppressor of the female character, as this desire to maintain their reputation has turned woman into an artificial character who lacks the substance of a sophisticated mind. This belief rejected the philosophies of celebrated politicians and philosophers of the time in Rousseau, Hegel and Talleyrand as it contradicted the very essence of their arguments regarding the true nature of women and women’s education. Furthermore, Wollstonecraft continues to put forth her demands and beliefs declaring “In proportion as this regard for the reputation of chastity is prized by women, it is despised by men: and the two extremes are equally destructive to morality” clearly arguing for their to be a civilization free of the double standard which degrades the female gender and on the other hand places men on a pedestal for committing acts which comprise their honour. Rather, in its place a platform of equal opportunity allowing both sexes to triumph in their own respective ways. Therefore, Wollstonecraft’s audacious beliefs possess a continuing relevance in modern day
Both works possess an enduring relevance to the ideologies and attitudes of the era as well as the morals and standards of contemporary society.
Breaking free from the rigorous and authoritarian legislations of enlightenment, the Romantic era paved the way for the new way of thinking, which allowed notions of liberty and creativity to prevail. Written in regards to the chauvinist comments of the late bishop of Autun, Wollstonecraft’s personal manifesto acts as the groundwork of her demand for equality. Whilst discussing the prevailing opinion of sexual character, Wollstonecraft declares “Men try to secure the good conduct of women by attempting to keep them always in a state of childhood”. Notably indicating her firm belief that man’s prejudice and restrictions against women come as a result of their own insecurity and by doing so woman remains reliant on her spouse making him feel both essential and …show more content…
Wollstonecraft inherits this attitude, inspiring her to elaborate on topics once deemed unspeakable in all of humanity. In the midst of discussing the significance of a good reputation, Wollstonecraft avows, “it is reputation, not chastity that [women] are employed to keep free from spot”. She clearly identifies the “eye of man” as the oppressor of the female character, as this desire to maintain their reputation has turned woman into an artificial character who lacks the substance of a sophisticated mind. This belief rejected the philosophies of celebrated politicians and philosophers of the time in Rousseau, Hegel and Talleyrand as it contradicted the very essence of their arguments regarding the true nature of women and women’s education. Furthermore, Wollstonecraft continues to put forth her demands and beliefs declaring “In proportion as this regard for the reputation of chastity is prized by women, it is despised by men: and the two extremes are equally destructive to morality” clearly arguing for their to be a civilization free of the double standard which degrades the female gender and on the other hand places men on a pedestal for committing acts which comprise their honour. Rather, in its place a platform of equal opportunity allowing both sexes to triumph in their own respective ways. Therefore, Wollstonecraft’s audacious beliefs possess a continuing relevance in modern day