Proto-feminism: Emancipation of Modern Tradition

 

Vindication of the Rights of Woman is one of the primary works of feminist philosophy which has been written by the 18th-century British proto-feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. She proposes the idea of economic independence to break the conventional shackles of women's objectification. She is an ardent supporter of women's educational and social equality. She raised her voice for the progress of women's status through political change as the radical reform of national educational systems. Women's creativity has been systematically repressed throughout history due to their lack of power and societal ascendency. Their access has always been restricted to education, knowledge, and exposure to the world of experience. Both Wollstonecraft and Woolf contend women to have the same education as men, not only to polish their natural talent but also to work and earn to become economically and spiritually independent. Wollstonecraft rejects the ideas of reliance over men and appreciates the idea to consume one’s own creativity as Virginia Woolf writes; “Intellectual freedom depends upon material things. Poetry depends upon intellectual freedom. And women have always been poor, not for two hundred years merely, but from the beginning of time . . .” (Woolf 90)
Wollstonecraft has explored the negative consequences of unnatural divisions in rank and class which causes major upheaval in society. This discrepancy prevails more in the most refined cultures which harbor the most despicable and obnoxious individuals, as well as a "voluptuousness pampered by the still sultry air." (Wollstonecraft 85) ultimately objectivity becomes the core goal and men are glorified as demigods for ignoring their responsibilities and amalgamating the religion and morality altogether. She further concludes that Morality can never triumph over immorality and ignorance unless there is equality in society.
Wollstonecraft contends that the educational and family system has been designed beam to mark women as frivolous and inept. So, she put forward the idea of women being rational creatures as a prime responsibility, followed by their responsibilities as citizens, which include becoming a mother. She emphasizes the significance of parental responsibility as “The irregular exercise of parental authority ... injures the mind, and to these irregularities, girls are more subject than boys” which is often disregarded in our male dominant society. Hoary views and experiences destroy the individuality of children and gender binaries created in their descendants lead them to see the world through the lens of discrepancy instead of equality.
Wollstonecraft points out one of the most vehement grievances against the false and excessive sensibility towards women. She argues that the women "blown about by every momentary gust of feeling" are of no use to reflect because "the prey of their senses", they fail to think rationally. (Wollstonecraft 177) she actually pines over the reality of such women as they not only ruin themselves but also destabilize the whole civilization. She appreciates the idea of reason and feeling complementing each other rather to stand independent.
Therefore, Wollstonecraft concludes that "would men but generously snap our chains, and be content with rational fellowship instead of slavish obedience, they would find us more observant daughters, more affectionate sisters, more faithful wives, more reasonable mothers—in a word, better citizens." Her radicalism has marked the place as the most progressive in her contemporary context as she stresses "beyond the historic possibilities imagined by a ruling class composed of those from bourgeois and aristocratic backgrounds," but her radicalism never jeopardizes the continuation of family and class institutions. Thus, it is very precise to categorize Wollstonecraft as a classical liberal who has encouraged a free, equitable economic, social, and political system, at least in terms of gender equality. She argues that society values women as a vital resource in its place by observance the role of women in the home as well.