A Vindication of the Rights of Men Book Summary

In her groundbreaking work, Mary Wollstonecraft boldly advocates for the rights of men and women, challenging the societal norms of her time. She explores the philosophical underpinnings of equality, questioning the morality of oppression and the rationale behind gender disparities. Through a compelling analysis of the French Revolution, Wollstonecraft highlights the interconnectedness of personal and political freedom. Her impassioned plea for women's education and agency invites readers to reconsider the roles of gender in society. Delve into this revolutionary text that not only critiques the status quo but also ignites a discussion on the very essence of human rights.

By Mary Wollstonecraft

Published: 2008

"I do not wish them [women] to have power over men; but over themselves."

Book Review of A Vindication of the Rights of Men

This volume brings together the major political writings of Mary Wollstonecraft in the order in which they appeared in the revolutionary 1790s. It traces her passionate and indignant response to the excitement of the early days of the French Revolution and then her uneasiness at its later bloody phase. It reveals her developing understanding of women's involvement in the political and social life of the nation and her growing awareness of the relationship between politics and economics and between political institutions and the individual. In personal terms, the works show her struggling with a belief in the perfectibility of human nature through rational education, a doctrine that became weaker under the onslaught of her own miserable experience and the revolutionary massacres. Janet Todd's introduction illuminates the progress of Wollstonecraft's thought, showing that a reading of all three works allows her to emerge as a more substantial political writer than a study of The Rights of Woman alone can reveal. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

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I do not wish them [women] to have power over men; but over themselves.

A Vindication of the Rights of Men

By Mary Wollstonecraft