I realized that I enjoyed reading Wolstencraft, but never made a blog about her . I am not sure if I have anything remotely intelligent to say, but I did find much of this piece still applicable to this century and the past.
Wolstencraft in the vindication of rights questions many of the deeply rooted aspects of humanity: “such deeply rooted prejudices have clouded
reason” It is interesting to see a woman openly criticizing and questioning prejudice beliefs after reading about so many woman persecuted for far smaller statements. Many parts of this text are even applicable today, for example she questions why people have prejudices and speaks of people using half-witted reason to defend themselves . How are those questions any different from the questions we ask now about sexism, racism, homophobia ect..: “Will men never be wise?”.
I love when Wolstencroft goes on to criticize the statement Milton made about women being soft and frail. It as though anger from centuries of women is built up in Wolstendrofts words:
“How grossly do they insult us, who thus advise us only to render
ourselves gentle, domestic brutes!”