The Woman Question HUM 2052: Civilization II Spring 2015 Dr. Perdigao February 13-18, 2015

On Liberty Notion of sovereignty, state’s authority—ending of Candide ? Idea of the “state” Human liberty—as Italian creation, in Middle Ages and Renaissance, not in sovereign states in Europe 16 th and 17 th centuries, liberty rarely discussed—only in writings by Calvinist opponents of absolutism Mid-seventeenth century in England, political thought that “human liberty can be ensured within the confines of a powerful national state: one governed by mere mortals and not by divinely sanctioned and absolute kings” (Perry 397) Republican ideal as alternative to absolutism during European Enlightenment in eighteenth century Revolutions in late eighteenth century, Europeans and Americans repudiated monarchical systems and opted for republics Human rights (Perry 435) Representation of slavery in Candide ; in Diderot’s Encyclopedia (1755)

Instilling Enlightenment? Role of women during Enlightenment Salons (Perry ), women as key organizers Training in self-government, self-education, social criticism, leads to social revolutions (Perry 423) Standards of education for girls and women were poor—calls for reform but only by few With industrialization in 1800, women in work force, need for literacy, changes in education Rousseau’s Sophie to Émile—bears burden of “instilling enlightenment” although limited experience of world and education (Perry 433); Kant: women feel and do not reason (Perry 436)

Contextualization Origins of late twentieth-century feminism in eighteenth-century writing (235) Notions of individuality emerging during the period Feminist education Violations of “rational principle,” that women could be executed but not vote in France (236)

The Perfect Woman (1975, 2004)

Revolutionaries Mary Wollstonecraft’s ( ) A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792): In fact, it is a farce to call any being virtuous whose virtues do not result from the exercise of its own reason. This was Rousseau’s opinion respecting 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. Still the regal homage which they receive is so intoxicating, that till the manners of the times are changed, and formed on more reasonable principles, it may be impossible to convince them that the illegitimate power, which they obtain, by degrading themselves, is a curse, and that they must return to nature and equality, if they wish to secure the placid satisfaction that unsophisticated affections impart. But for this epoch we must wait—wait, perhaps, till kings and nobles, enlightened by reason, and, preferring the real dignity of man to childish state, throw off their gaudy hereditary trappings: and if then women do not resign the arbitrary power of beauty—they will prove that they have less mind than man. (46) Declaration of Sentiments World Anti-Slavery Convention in London in 1840 Lucretia Mott (1793) and Elizabeth Cady Stanton ( ) Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, NY, in 1848 Frederick Douglass’ support Modeled on the Declaration of Independence Men accused of tyranny they had accused England of Seventy years later, women granted right to vote “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal...” (578).