Wollstonecraft believed that educated women would benefit ALL of society - both men and women. And so, she decided to write this piece to try and convince the men in her society that women - who were viewed as weak, hysterical, and delicate - could and SHOULD get a real education and should become equal members of the household and in society.
She begins her piece by pointing out that the education women are currently receiving does nothing but cause women to "peak" early in life. They are beautiful and desired in their youth, but quickly become burdens who act childish and helpless. She blames the system of education set up by male authors who have written books that, while claiming to help women, still treat them as if they are "frivolous" or only concerned with matters that aren't serious. Ultimately, she claims this type of education - which only seeks to make women desirable - is better suited for mistresses and prostitutes, women who only desire the approval and love of men and not for women who deserve respect as wives and mothers.
She also points out how this system encourages women to maintain the status quo (the current social hierarchy) by pursuing love and approval from men rather than daring to try and improve themselves and become respectable. Their "education" prepares them for marriage and nothing else.
However, early on in the piece, she offers a concession to her argument, stating that men are more superior, on average, in terms of physical strength. But she then presents her counterargument that this strength has led to a dependence on men, not just in physical tasks, but in all things.
It shifts from "Let me help you open that jar, ma'am" to "You shouldn't be buying jars or having a job at all."
She then addresses a popular concern at the time: that education will make women "masculine." She takes issue with this claim because she points out that masculine actually has a dual meaning in her society.
- To be burly, rough, macho, hands-on, and aggressive ("If by this appellation men mean to inveigh against their ardor in hunting, shooting, and gaming..." (line 47-48))
- To be independent, sophisticated, intelligent, and virtuous ("...if it be against the imitation of many virtues, or more properly speaking, the attainment of those talents and virtues, the exercise of which ennobles (improves) the human character..."(line 49-50))
She points out that it is rather unfair to criticize women for the first definition, but praise men for the second. She also addresses women directly for a moment, sarcastically asking them to forgive her directness, saying that women should not let the insult of being manly turn them away from self-improvement. Instead, they should view society's definition of femininity as weaknesses - letting your emotions control you, pretending to be delicate, having to speak quietly and softly, etc. She then warns that that type of behavior will work for a short time, but will ultimately turn a woman into something irritating or an "object of contempt" (line 62) because she will be unable to take care of a home or children.
She then turns to addressing men again, pointing out that society's expectation is to turn women into objects, not friends or lovers or even productive citizens. So she then asks men to forgive her and understand why she would so desire women to become more "manly."
Ultimately, though, she acknowledges that the fear of being "masculine" is just something told to young girls to keep them in line and a way to associate one gender with superiority.
In chapter 2, she addresses the situation of YOUNG men and women. When young men and women fall into puppy love, many of them rush into marriage. As time passes, the things that were once passionate begins to fade and women's "charms are oblique sunbeams" (line 96-97), bright but without substance. Her husband will eventually grow bored of it and, realizing his wife has no real personality, will start to wander.
Some women, upon being overlooked by their husbands, will become bitter and cheat. Other women will remain loyal, but will spend the rest of their days discontented, whining that they are neglected by their husbands.
Wollstonecraft insists that a married woman who is allowed to educate herself and keep herself healthy will find respect within herself and remain respectable even when married to a terrible husband. She will be able to look to herself for happiness rather than seeking it out in a husband who ignores her or no longer loves her.
She uses ethos in a few instances of the piece, mentioning the philosopher Rousseau and the writer Dr. John Gregory, pointing out the flaws in both of their works. She is especially displeased with Dr. Gregory's suggestion that women must suppress their passions and feelings in order to avoid men making assumptions about them. However, Wollstonecraft calls these men indecent (perverts and pedophiles in a modern sense) and urges that rational and sensible mothers not caution their daughters about things like that. After all, little girls shouldn't be held accountable for an adult's inappropriate attention. (Wollstonecraft uses terms like "common sense," and "truth" and "sensible," signalling that she is using logos in this passage)
Finally, she urges men to consider her suggestions, pointing out that it is unlikely women will ever try and surpass men, as they rely on them already for physical tasks. She also points out that an educated woman may earn her husband's respect and, thus, strengthening their bond of marriage through friendship and not dependence.
She explains that she believes a rational individual will always look to God first, then their own understanding, then to the understanding of men. She uses logos one final time when she states that if women cannot be given the freedom and liberty to improve themselves, they are merely slaves to society and will become like withering beautiful flowers.
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