Wednesday, March 10th

In-class writing:
Individually, respond to the following quote from “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman”: “The conduct and manners of women, in fact, evidently prove that their minds are not in a healthy state; for, like the flowers which are planted in too rich a soil, strength and usefulness are sacrificed to beauty; and the flaunting leaves, after having pleased a fastidious eye, fade, disregarded on the stalk, long before the season when they ought to have arrived at maturity” (112).

Then, in groups, answer the following questions:

1. What facts interested you about Mary Wollstonecraft’s life (pgs. 108-112)? Do you think her circumstances influenced her perspective on education? If so, how?
2. Wollstonecraft says she pays “particular attention to those in the middle class, because they appear to be in the most natural state” (113). What does she mean by this, and do you agree with her assertion?
3. What does Wollstonecraft mean when she says, “The soft phrases, susceptibility of heart, delicacy of sentiment, and refinement of taste are almost synonymous with epithets of weakness, and that those beings who are only the objects of pity and that kind of love, which has been termed its sister, will soon become objects of contempt” (114).
4. What does she say about the style in which she will write her “Vindication” – and her reasons for choosing it?
5. In summary, Wollstonecraft asserts that women have been taught “by the example of their mothers” (116) to fulfill a specific societal role. What is this role? In contrast, what is Wollstonecraft’s vision for what women can and should be?
6. What inconsistencies does Wollstonecraft see in Milton?
7. Do you feel this essay is still relevant in the 21st century? Why or why not?

Groups:

1) Lydia, Brenda, Surayya

2) Inessa, Jess, Melanie, Kathleen (Xiaoxi)

3) Frank, Becca, AJ, Jacqui

4) Kaitlyn, Hillery, Ashley

5) Sean, Janna, Mikenna, Melissa