Week 3 Women's Voices

The writings of these women were very strong in speaking about what they think women deserve in the world. They take on the feminist role that exists today. Throughout my reading I was able to find several statements that made their claim so powerful. Mary Astell wanted to "amend the present, and improve the future age" in terms of religion and philosophy in this particular piece. She did not understand why "God had given women intelligent souls, and why should they be forbidden to use them". She just wanted to have the same rights as men. Out of all three readings this one grabbed me the least. I became confused at the end when she was talking about the french and their way of living. I like how she says at the end that women are just as capable as men are to learn and they should have the chance.

I really enjoyed the setup of Lady Mary Montague's letter to her daughter about her grandchild. The letter had a very simple flow on what Mary Montague wanted to see come from her grandaughter. She expresses how important she thinks for her to be "indulged in learning". In that learning find pleasure in reading and learn many languages that can help you to know "things not words". In saying all of that she still lets her know that she should be a lady and be skilled in knowing how to use the needle. She is cautious about marriage and to know what she wants before entering in. Overall she just focuses on wanting to share the importance of education and what it can do for her life. I just felt like this writing was giving little pointers on life and how she thought it would be more enjoyable.

Mary Wollstonecraft focuses on education as well. She says that "Nature had made a great difference between man and man, or that the civilization which has hithero taken place in the world has been very partial". Throughout time men have been the leaders in the education and women are looked upon as weak in their knowledge. She encourages women to find their stregnth in both of "body and mind" and find their their true happiness. To me it seems like she is wanting women to get rid of their feminine qualities and be who they truly want to be.

All three of these women had strong statements on how they feel women are treated in their time. They wrote thse works to show women that they should have the right to an education and other privledges that until now only men have really been able to have.