Vindication of the Rights of Women

Written during a time of great political turmoil social anxiety and against the backdrop of the French Revolution Wollstonecrafts argument continues to challenge and inspire. One of the earliest contributions to feminist philosophy Wollstonecrafts powerful treatise on the value of women in society tackles many of the patriarchal attitudes prevalent in the eighteenth century. In addition to championing the notion that women enjoy all the same fundamental rights as men Wollstonecraft argues that men benefit from treating their wives as companions rather than commodities. Touching upon many themes in womens education A Vindications of the Rights of Woman remains a bold and powerful read.