As I finished A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, I was struck with a realization. The women of Wollstonecraft's time were so used to this societal role of meek and mild housemaid with benefits that they would not have received her message well. The message is this: society hates you, so please, don't love it back. In chapter nine, I believe, Wollstonecraft states that once a woman commits to being beautiful and alluring - the way a man wants his eye candy to be - then she must shirk the duty of being a doting mother - the way a man wants his wife to be. Humanity wants two things from women: one, for them to be beautiful, perfect forces of nature with eyeliner sharp enough to stab a man, and two, for them to be the perfect, silent housemaids who rear the next generation. The next generation should be made perfect. Boys should be taught to lead, to read and write and take for themselves what they want; girls should be taught to sew, and that it is better to be seen and not heard. Though some people may not agree with me, I would say that this is a tendency even in today's society. No, I am not a Feminazi. Yes, I believe that gender is a thing. However, I believe that men and women are equal and that though physically men may be generally stronger, women are given their own power and should be treated as such. What do you think?
Comments