Anna Laetitia Barbauld’s The Rights of Woman, composed in 1795, presents an ironic commentary on the discussion over gender roles during the period. Through the use of poetic structure and extended metaphor, Barbauld criticises both sides of the issue to argue for a natural partnership.
Barbauld alludes to revolutionary conflict in France and the United States through the use of military imagery, in order to reject female usurpation. Barbauld suggests that women have their own “bright artillery” in their “magazine of war”. (10-13) Through her satirical hints at these controversial events, Barbauld attempts to dissaude the reader from supporting any revolutionary transformation of gender roles.
Barbauld also structures her poem rigidly, in
Barbauld alludes to revolutionary conflict in France and the United States through the use of military imagery, in order to reject female usurpation. Barbauld suggests that women have their own “bright artillery” in their “magazine of war”. (10-13) Through her satirical hints at these controversial events, Barbauld attempts to dissaude the reader from supporting any revolutionary transformation of gender roles.
Barbauld also structures her poem rigidly, in