Wollstonecraft

More about the book

This annotation presents a compelling portrait of Mary Wollstonecraft, emphasizing the intimate connections between her life and work. Her seminal text, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, published in 1792, remains highly relevant in women's rights advocacy. Sylvana Tomaselli argues that a deeper understanding of Wollstonecraft's philosophy and moral perspective requires an appreciation of her as a thinker who engaged with major social and political issues and responded to the arguments of figures like Edmund Burke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Adam Smith. By situating Wollstonecraft within the politics and culture of her time, the book reestablishes her as a significant eighteenth-century intellectual, highlighting the ongoing resonance of her ideas. The format mirrors Wollstonecraft's style in Thoughts on the Education of Daughters, featuring short essays with concise headings. Under titles like "Painting," "Music," "Memory," and "Property and Appearance," Tomaselli delves into Wollstonecraft's values and societal views, exploring knowledge, human nature, and the challenge of evil. This portrayal reveals Wollstonecraft as an engaging author and a passionate participant in enduring social and political debates, inviting readers to reflect on timeless issues and consider the world through her insightful lens.