Celebrating the Trailblazing Women of Wollstonecraft: Influential Figures in Philosophy, Literature, and Feminism Advocacy
In the annals of history, the names of Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary Shelley, and Christine de Pizan stand out as beacons of intellectual brilliance and feminist thought. These women, each living in different eras, challenged the status quo and left indelible marks on literature and society.
Mary Wollstonecraft, a feminist, activist, philosopher, and mother, was a pioneer in advocating for women's rights and education. Born in the late 18th century, she was self-educated and founded a school for girls in London in 1784. Her seminal work, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, published in 1792, demanded equal education and social equality for women, insisting that they should be taught critical thinking and reason to become autonomous individuals rather than mere decorative figures [1][3].
Wollstonecraft's ideas, rooted in Enlightenment rationalism, challenged societal norms and pushed for a balance between reason and emotion in feminist discourse. Her vision anticipated many later feminist arguments that emerged in the 19th century women's rights movements, influencing American and European activists [3].
Mary Shelley, a student of Wollstonecraft's school, published Frankenstein in 1816, a work that initially met with criticism. However, Shelley's work, particularly Frankenstein, reflects Romantic themes and intellectual concerns about society, family, and gender roles. Her broader literary output and critical essays reveal an ongoing engagement with political and feminist issues rooted in her mother’s legacy [4].
Shelley's work, living within the Romantic era, can be seen as expanding on Wollstonecraft's ideas by dramatizing the consequences of social and familial neglect, the role of creation and responsibility, and the complexities of gender and identity in a rapidly changing world [1][4].
Christine de Pizan, a woman from the late Middle Ages, was the first professional woman writer in Europe. Born in Italy, she moved to Paris to marry but was left widowed and impoverished after the deaths of her husband and father in quick succession. To support herself and her children, she became a court writer. Her works argued similar ideas as Wollstonecraft and future feminists, such as the education of women and the moral and intellectual equality of men and women [2].
The works of these women have had far-reaching influences. Frankenstein has been compared to The Golem, a book often referred to as the "Hebrew Frankenstein." Mary Shelley's works have also influenced numerous future texts, including The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, The Golem by Avram Davidson, and Hideous Love by Stephanie Hemphill [5].
In the 21st century, the contributions of Wollstonecraft and Shelley have been recognised and celebrated. However, it is important to remember and acknowledge the contributions of lesser-known figures like Christine de Pizan, who also outshone their times in history.
A display dedicated to Mary Wollstonecraft and her work A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, 1792 is on display at the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum. This display serves as a testament to the enduring impact of these pioneering women and their groundbreaking ideas.
[1] Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2021). Mary Wollstonecraft. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-Wollstonecraft
[2] The British Library. (2021). Christine de Pizan. [online] Available at: https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/christine-de-pizan-the-first-professional-woman-writer-in-europe
[3] The Conversation. (2018). Mary Wollstonecraft's radical feminism laid the groundwork for contemporary politics. [online] Available at: https://theconversation.com/mary-wollstonecrafts-radical-feminism-laid-the-groundwork-for-contemporary-politics-94351
[4] The New Yorker. (2018). Mary Shelley's Fiction and Feminist Critique. [online] Available at: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/mary-shelleys-fiction-and-feminist-critique
[5] The Guardian. (2015). Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: the literary influences. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/aug/21/mary-shelleys-frankenstein-literary-influences-robert-louis-stevenson-avram-davidson-hideous-love-stephanie-hemphill
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