The romantic period in English literature littered the written landscape with fresh, progressive works. By the later part of the eighteenth century, the artistic backbone of artists and intellectuals pushed against traditional art, representing, instead, a stronger emphasis on the emotional qualities present within artistic expression. While it is difficult to surmise the intentions of the movements' authors, as a whole, the work of Mary Wollstonecraft can be carefully described as early feminist philosophy. This is true in the sense that she was one of the fore leaders in the development of the feminine viewpoint, as singular, independent and important without relation to the other, in this case, the male.
[...] The basis for a Vindication of the Rights of Woman, is also an area open to subjection. It would have been easy for the author to write with unbridled passion. This is without doubt a passionate subject, but in doing so Wollstonecraft would have fallen into the argument used against women for centuries, that they were driven by emotion, not reason. By intelligently articulating reason Wollstonecraft proves her thesis through example, and then also through explanation. Free flowing prose and logic are the tools she employs to outline her argument. [...]
[...] It is when she is able to play upon the human component, appealing not merely on a gendered-based stance, that she is able to really engage the reader. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, is innately subjective because it attacks the very base of traditionalism, gender roles and upheld stereotypes. It stirs an opinion because it plucks upon emotion. For women there is a call to action. For men, there is either support or disapproval, neither one can be executed with passivity. [...]
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