Women vs. Men: The Ultimate Battle

The topic of women's rights always seems to capture my attention with an unwavering grasp from beginning to end. This 19 page piece did exactly that, but was overtly difficult to follow. Mary Wollstonecraft's style of writing was very unlike that of today's world, making it complicated to understand as well as concentrate on for a long period of time. I found myself reading a bit, stopping, reading some more, then stopping to glance at the clock, etc. Mary's affluent vocabulary however, as well as reasoning, made the reading exactly what it should be: powerful and thorough.

For as long as I can remember, there's been a struggle for women and their rights across the globe. In today's time, women in the United States are gaining more confidence to go out and do what they wish, speak what the feel, and act how they want. This is a freedom that should be enacted all over the world.   I do feel that this being written in the late 1700s, the population has made giant strides all over and women receive much more equal treatment than before. Still however, it's common to hear of men wanting a certain power of us females. As stated in the article "...like a false ambition in men, from a love of power".

Shocking me was that some people in the 1700s held the opinion that "Woman was created for man". Growing up in today's society, females laugh at this now-obscene idea. No one wants ideas forced upon them or to be made to live a certain way. Women had to stay in the background, do what they were told, and get the stamp of approval from society. Let me just say, I would definitely not have fit in the type of setting. It says a lot for the women we hear about today that stood out against the expectations and went against the standards. Today we owe them nothing but respect, as they are why us women can be so free with who we are.

Throughout the paper, Mary made many intriguing points, but they were hard to interpret due to the older style of writing. It's not every day I read something from the late 1700s so it was a tad frustrating at first. She did a remarkable job with her rich vocabulary and ability to prove arguments, which is a large reason as to why I enjoyed the piece.

As for me, well, let's just say I'm no women's activist, but I do like my freedoms. Mary Wollstonecraft wrote a valuable piece that many can benefit from from reading. She is an admirable author and is greatly applauded for her effort in The Prevailing Opinion of a Sexual Character Discussed.