A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects

Mary Wollstonecraft

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511732034

Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797) published A Vindication of the Rights of Woman in 1792. It was written in reaction to Rousseau's Emile (1762), which argued that the purpose of a girl's education was to make her useful to a man. Wollstonecraft offered a defence of woman's ability to reason, given appropriate education. She argued that the limited education given to women made them docile and empty-headed playthings whose supposed fragility and coquetry were constructions that damaged not only the individual but society as a whole. Her radical prescription was for girls to be educated alongside boys and to the same standard, so that they were not left dependent on marriage for financial security. The independence of mind displayed in this polemic has ensured its place as a foundational work in the canon of feminist thought. For more information on this author, see http://orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=wollma

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-ii
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Dedication
pp iii-xiv
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ADVERTISEMENT
pp xv-xvi
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Contents
pp xvii-xx
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INTRODUCTION
pp 1-12
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VINDICATION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN
pp 13-14
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CHAP. I - The rights and involved duties of mankind considered
pp 15-31
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CHAP. II - The prevailing opinion of a sexual character discussed
pp 32-74
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CHAP. III - The same subject continued
pp 75-108
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CHAP. IV - Observations on the state of degradation to which woman is reduced by various causes
pp 109-169
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CHAP. V - Animadversions on some of the writers who have rendered women objects of pity, bordering on contempt
pp 170-258
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CHAP. VI - The effect which an early association of ideas has upon the character
pp 259-272
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CHAP. VII - Modesty.—Comprehensively considered, and not as a sexual virtue
pp 273-297
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CHAP. VIII - Morality undermined by sexual notions of the importance of a good reputation
pp 298-319
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CHAP. IX - Of the pernicious effects which arise from the unnatural distinctions established in society
pp 320-342
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CHAP. X - Parental affection
pp 343-348
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CHAP. XI - Duty to parents
pp 349-360
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CHAP. XII - On national education
pp 361-413
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CHAP. XIII - Some instances of the folly which the ignorance of women generates; with concluding reflections on the moral improvement that a revolution in female manners may naturally be expected to produce
pp 414-452
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A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-ii

Dedication
pp iii-xiv

ADVERTISEMENT
pp xv-xvi

Contents
pp xvii-xx

INTRODUCTION
pp 1-12

VINDICATION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN
pp 13-14

CHAP. I - The rights and involved duties of mankind considered
pp 15-31

CHAP. II - The prevailing opinion of a sexual character discussed
pp 32-74

CHAP. III - The same subject continued
pp 75-108

CHAP. IV - Observations on the state of degradation to which woman is reduced by various causes
pp 109-169

CHAP. V - Animadversions on some of the writers who have rendered women objects of pity, bordering on contempt
pp 170-258

CHAP. VI - The effect which an early association of ideas has upon the character
pp 259-272

CHAP. VII - Modesty.—Comprehensively considered, and not as a sexual virtue
pp 273-297

CHAP. VIII - Morality undermined by sexual notions of the importance of a good reputation
pp 298-319

CHAP. IX - Of the pernicious effects which arise from the unnatural distinctions established in society
pp 320-342

CHAP. X - Parental affection
pp 343-348

CHAP. XI - Duty to parents
pp 349-360

CHAP. XII - On national education
pp 361-413

CHAP. XIII - Some instances of the folly which the ignorance of women generates; with concluding reflections on the moral improvement that a revolution in female manners may naturally be expected to produce
pp 414-452

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A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects

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