The Prevailing Opinion of a Sexual Character Discussed

As I started to read Mary Wollstonecraft's thoughts on the rights of women, I realized that I was in for more than I had anticipated. Yes, I knew it would be a lengthy and informative account, but I was not able to foresee how intelligent her opinions and arguments against the famous thoughts of yet even more famous people would be. Wollstonecraft showed immense passion for the fight for equality, which really made me realize how much of an influence people like her had on the nation.

Wollstonecraft truely had some remarkable points that she brought forward that, to me, ended all disagreements on the spot. One such point that she brought up had to do with the difference between soldiers of war and women, which according to her, wasn't very significant. She explained how "military men, who are, like [women], sent into the world before their minds have been stored with knowledge or fortified by principles." In fact, Wollstonecraft claims, "All the difference that I can discern, arises from the superior advantage of liberty, which enables the former to see more of life." Wollstonecraft was able to point out specific men who were still ranked above women in superiority and distinction even though they showed the same characteristics as the inferior sex. This alone showcases how strong her argument for equality of women was.

One of the recurring themes in her essay was the idea that men believed women were put on this earth to obey and please men while maintaining an innocent personality. In return, they claimed women would receive protection and stability. She even came up with the probable roots of the "prevailing opinion, that woman was created for man." Wollstonecraft reminded readers of Moses's story of Eve being one of Adam's ribs. Wollstonecraft clearly was not going to accept this stupid (sorry if this offends anyone) idea that women are here to serve men. She presented numerous theories and arguments against the usual beliefs of men. In my eyes, her thoughts make the ideas opposite of hers seem ridiculous, immature, childless, and foolish. Then again, I am probably just a tad bit biased considering that I, myself, am a female.

The last thing I would like to address was another idea that Wollstonecraft repeated throughout the article. She consistently pointed out that women just needed to be given a chance. If women were given a chance to strengthen virtues and characteristics, one could determine whether women were really meant to be inferior to men. We could then see where women would fall on the scale of intelligence. I liked this because obviously it has worked throughout the years. I would have to say that women have been given more chances and have received better equality compared to back then.

Overall, there were definitely some parts of this long essay that probably went right over my head, even when I tried to re-read paragraphs to enhance my understandings. I found that as I read on, I understood and liked more and more of what I read. I actually enjoyed this article. Even though it was difficult at times to get through, I found that I didn't exactly want to stop reading. I wanted to finish, so I could figure out where she would end her argument. When she did end her argument, I was generally pleased with what I had read. I feel as if I now have a better understandment towards what women had to do to achieve equality. I would even go as far to say that my being able to understand this is all thanks to people like Mary Wollstonecraft.