On Mary Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: The First of a New Genus

In her book "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman," Mary Wollstonecraft argued for women's equality and criticized the treatment of women across time and place. Susan J. Wolfson offers new insight into Wollstonecraft's methods, style, and energy, placing the polemic in its political and literary contexts and in relation to her other works about political rights. Wolfson highlights Wollstonecraft's literary craft, showing how she used close reading to identify the role of gendered phrases and concepts in political discourse. She reveals Wollstonecraft as a pioneer in decoupling sex from gender and provides an enduring model of how to be a female intellectual.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Mary Wollstonecraft's groundbreaking work, "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792), emerged as a seminal and enduring advocacy for women's equality during a turbulent era marked by the French Revolution. In this comprehensive critique, Wollstonecraft delved into the historical and societal treatment of women across different cultures and time periods, offering a systematic examination of their marginalization and subjugation. Drawing on her extensive experience as a teacher and writer, Susan J. Wolfson provides fresh insights into Wollstonecraft's unique methods, style, and unwavering energy in making her case for women's rights.

Wolfson contextualizes this polemic within the political and literary landscapes of the time, placing it in relation to Wollstonecraft's other writings on political rights. She explores how Wollstonecraft navigated the complexities of advocating for the universal ideals of the French Revolution while simultaneously addressing the gendered exclusions inherent in the concept of "man's rights." This book pays particular attention to Wollstonecraft's literary craft, highlighting the power of her close reading and her ability to discern the nuanced implications of gendered phrases and concepts in political discourse.

Wollstonecraft's pioneering work in decoupling sex from gender is revealed through Wolfson's analysis, showcasing how she provided an enduring model for women intellectuals. By delving into Wollstonecraft's literary genius, this book offers both first-time readers and those seeking a deeper appreciation of her achievements a fresh perspective. It encourages readers to share in the excitement of reading Wollstonecraft's work while also appreciating her profound political and intellectual contributions.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231206259