wollstonecraft2

      Mary Wollstonecraft disagrees with many of the ideas of J.J. Rousseau. These
include the most appropriate extent of education for women and the idea that fondness of
dress comes naturally to women. She also inferred that she was more qualified to write
about young girls.
      She makes her disgreement about the appropriate educational degree of women
very clear early in this passage when she says of Rousseau's concept of the perfect
education for men, "I extend it to women, and confidently assert that they have been
drawn out of their sphere by false refinement, and not by an endeavour to acquire
masculine qualities." She believes that women should challenge themselves both mentally
and physically. She goes on to say that women should not wait until they are recognized
for this equal ability, that such enlightenment is not likely to happen soon "and if then
women do not resign the arbitrary power of beauty - they will prove that they have less
mind than man."
      As for Rousseau's claim that fondness of dress is natural to women, she says that
she is unable to comprehend what he means, "when (he) frequently use this indefinite
term." She says that she would be less confused if they were to say that some pre-existent
state lead the soul to be fond of dress and that that past state was simply brought into the
present."But if he only meant to say that the exercise of the faculties wll produce this
fondness - I deny it. It is not natural; but arises like a false ambition in men, from a love of
power."
       Near the very end of this passage she seems to question Rousseau's qualificaiton to
write so authoratatively about the raising of young girls. "I have, probably, had an
opportunity of observingmore girls in their infancy than J. J. Rousseau." She mentions that
not only has she been able to observe the people around her, as Rousseau probably had
done, but could also call on her own memories of being a young girl.

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