Anne Finch and Mary Astell: A Reaction
Throughout the 17th century, society revolved around a gender hierarchy that both men and women followed. Many believed this hierarchy was established by God and nature, as seen in their religious books like the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer; both of which were absolute guides to social norms and behaviours. In the Bible, it states that after the fall in the garden God states to Eve: “To the woman he said, I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16; English Standard Version). This excerpt from Genesis is one of many words of God that became an absolute guide that men and…show more content… She does this by drawing awareness to a woman’s right to education as she proposes “to erect a monastery” (Astell 263) where women can better their futures by developing their intellect. Astell shows hope for total gender-equality in society by telling the women specifically: "You are therefore ladies, invited into a place, where you shall suffer no other confinement" (Astell 263). This line at first glance seems to be a direct link to the right to education; but, upon further analysis it actually relates to societal norms as whole. It shows Astell's point of view on a society that sees women as being inferior to men without proper reason other than the male perspective on the Bible. The language Astell uses in A Serious Proposal to the Ladies is a confident and aggressive style as she tries to get her point across on the religious, political and social values in her time. Astell promotes a new society that embodies "Liberty" only when such institutions are built, can they "expel that cloud of ignorance which custom has involved us in" (Astell 264). Here, Astell uses language to reinforce that she is educated and that the societal norms based on religious doctrine, in reality are quite ignorant and far from being righteous. Astell's arguments for developing an institution…show more content… She observes that before she can show her intelligence through her poem, she is already disregarded simply because she is a woman: “True judges might condemn their want of wit/And all might say they’re by a woman writ” (Finch 239. 7-8). This shows the poet’s anticipation of what critics would say about her poem which is caused by the restrictions placed on her by society. The word “wit” is used mockingly towards the men in society, which effectively shows her successfulness in learning and skill, which ironically was the aim for men in the 17th century. She continues to use language almost sarcastically when she mocks the gender roles imposed on her by men: “They tell us we mistake our sex and way; /Good breeding, fashion, dancing, dressing, play /Are the accomplishments we should desire; /To write, or read, or think, or to enquire /Would cloud our beauty….” (Finch 239. 13-17). Here, she rebels against the artificial and useless tasks placed on women when they are just as capable with an equal reason as men are, therefore showing that she is against the notion that an educated woman is less valuable. In doing so, Finch effectively speaks to both the men and women in society as she explains that such mindsets and limits are wrong because there is a need to improve the situation of women within a society that is based on