Wollstonecraft and Religion

Despite Godwin's assertion that Wollstonecraft had little use for religion, this study reveals that her work contains over 1,100 scriptural references. These references provide women with a biblical basis to advocate for better education, occupational opportunities, legal and political independence, and social criticism. The recognition and analysis of these biblical underpinnings in Wollstonecraft's writings offer new perspectives on her religious convictions and faith, which have not been published elsewhere.

Format: Hardback
Length: 380 pages
Publication date: 16 January 2024
Publisher: Anthem Press

Ever since Godwin's Memoirs revealed that Wollstonecraft had minimal regard for religion, most biographers, scholars, historians, and readers have labeled her an apostate. Furthermore, the existing scholarly texts fail to demonstrate the pervasive presence of biblical references in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. The true tally of scriptural references identified in this study exceeds 1,100. Wollstonecraft's biblical allusions, apart from their sheer volume, are noteworthy because they provided women with a biblical foundation upon which to argue for improved education and occupational opportunities, as well as legal and political independence. It is likely that the use of biblical rhetoric in these arguments contributed to their initial reception and tolerance of what were provocative ideas and scathing social criticism. The recognition and analysis of biblical underpinnings in Wollstonecraft and Religion, not only of Rights of Woman but also of her other publications and letters, propose new considerations regarding the Mother of Feminism and her work. The chapters that accompany the annotated text of Rights of Woman furnish biographical and historical context that offer fresh perspectives about Wollstonecraft's religious convictions and faith, many of which have not been published elsewhere.

Ever since Godwin's Memoirs revealed that Wollstonecraft had minimal regard for religion, most biographers, scholars, historians, and readers have labeled her an apostate. Furthermore, the existing scholarly texts fail to demonstrate the pervasive presence of biblical references in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. The true tally of scriptural references identified in this study exceeds 1,100. Wollstonecraft's biblical allusions, apart from their sheer volume, are noteworthy because they provided women with a biblical foundation upon which to argue for improved education and occupational opportunities, as well as legal and political independence. It is likely that the use of biblical rhetoric in these arguments contributed to their initial reception and tolerance of what were provocative ideas and scathing social criticism. The recognition and analysis of biblical underpinnings in Wollstonecraft and Religion, not only of Rights of Woman but also of her other publications and letters, propose new considerations regarding the Mother of Feminism and her work. The chapters that accompany the annotated text of Rights of Woman furnish biographical and historical context that offer fresh perspectives about Wollstonecraft's religious convictions and faith, many of which have not been published elsewhere.

Weight: 722g
Dimension: 236 x 161 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839990182