from A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
... and were treated based on what they looked like. She thought that women were equal to men, and believed that they should be treated this way. It was also commonly assumed that the only way women could move up in the social ranks was by marriage. She wanted to change this misconception, and show that women didn’t need to rely on men. She also believes that nature has given women a weaker frame than men, but some women use this only to ensure their husband’s affection. She believes that women retain a natural strength, but some act delicate only to be loved. She believes that women can maintain this natural strength if they continue to use their mind and body. She says that while weakness may gratify the pride of man, women need to be respected. Wollstonecroft says that “Fondness is a poor substitute for friendship.” Wollstonecraft very strongly believes that women are given an education based on pleasing people, and not actually on developing the mind. She believes that when women become old and less attractive that, if they have nothing to talk to with their husbands, their husbands can move on to another woman. She believes that the only place that pleasing is useful is to mistresses. She believes another reason women are not educated the same as men is the fact that men write...