Taught from infancy that beauty is woman's sceptre, the mind shapes itself to the body, and roaming round its gilt cage, only seeks to adorn its prison.
Mary WollstonecraftRead
Women have seldom sufficient employment to silence their feelings; a round of little cares, or vain pursuits frittering away all strength of mind and organs, they become naturally only objects of sense.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that women often lack meaningful engagement, leading them to be seen merely as objects rather than individuals with depth.
Mary Wollstonecraft's quote highlights the limited roles often assigned to women in society, suggesting that their lack of substantial employment or engagement in meaningful pursuits reduces them to mere objects of attraction. It critiques a societal structure that prioritizes superficial activities over intellectual and emotional fulfillment, calling for a recognition of women's full humanity and potential.
Themes
WomenEmploymentSocietyFeelingsIntellect
In practice
Example use cases
This quote would be appropriate in discussions about gender equality in the workplace.
More from Mary Wollstonecraft
All quotes →Make women rational creatures, and free citizens, and they will quickly become good wives; - that is, if men do not neglect the duties of husbands and fathers.
Mary WollstonecraftRead
But what a weak barrier is truth when it stands in the way of an hypothesis!
Mary WollstonecraftRead
The divine right of husbands, like the divine right of kings, may, it is hoped, in this enlightened age, be contested without danger.
Mary WollstonecraftRead
Women are degraded by the propensity to enjoy the present moment, and, at last, despise the freedom which they have not sufficient virtue to struggle to attain.
Mary WollstonecraftRead
Perhaps the seeds of false-refinement, immorality, and vanity, have ever been shed by the great. Weak, artificial beings, raised above the common wants and defections of their race, in a premature and unnatural manner, undermine the very foundation of virtue, and spread corruption through the whole mass of society!
Mary WollstonecraftRead
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