Marry Wollstonecraft's A Vindication Of The Rights Of Woman

In A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, one of the first feminist philosophical works, Marry Wollstonecraft sets to prove that education is needed to improve the lives of women and to make women intellectually equal to men. More importantly, Wollstonecraft believed that both men and women are capable of reason and that both can perfect themselves to have an immortal soul. During Wollstonecraft’s time, women were not allowed to exercise reason, rather, women were seen as wives and fools with spaniel-like affections (Wollstonecraft 35). By extending the rights of men to women, Wollstonecraft aimed at improving the situation for women by suggesting a revolution in women’s manners through education in order for women to have an immortal soul. …show more content…
In order to examine how the immortality of the soul is Wollstonecraft’s primary concern, this paper will begin by defining the soul and analyzing how the concept of an immortal soul can be achieved. Then, the paper will provide examples of obstacles that prevent women from using reason and denying them education by looking at Wollstonecraft’s attacks and criticisms of other writers such as Rousseau and Dr. Gregory. Also, Wollstonecraft’s views on education will be examined as a way of improving the soul. Finally, the paper will conclude with Wollstonecraft’s revolution in manners as her solution to the central problem of women’s misery and the immortal