February 22nd

In chapter ten of the Rights of Woman, what is Wollstonecraft’s critique of “parental affection” as currently practiced? (242)
What would “enlightened maternal affection” do differently? (243) Did Wollstonecraft express this sentiment in her care for her children?
What is the moral and political significance of the following claim: “the care of children in their infancy is one of the grand duties annexed to the female character by nature”? (243)
Why does Wollstonecraft denounce women who don’t breast-feed their own children? Did she follow her own rule? (244)
What does parental affection produce if practiced properly? (244)
In chapter eleven of the Rights of Woman, what is Wollstonecraft’s distinction between the “blind obedience” of children and the “respectful affection” of children towards their parents? (245)
What is the “reciprocal duty” of parents and children towards each other?
How does this notion of a “reciprocal duty” build upon Wollstonecraft’s understanding of human equality?
What is Wollstonecraft’s distinction between “natural” and “accidental” duty due to parents?
What is Wollstonecraft’s account of parental negligence? (246)
How are girls worse victims of it than boys? (247)
To what extent does Wollstonecraft compare children and wives to slaves? (248)
What is the political significance of this quote: “till society is very differently constituted, parents, I fear, will still insist on being obeyed, because they will be obeyed, and constantly endeavor to settle that power on a Divine right which will not bear the investigation of reason.” (250) What comes first, reform of family or reform of society in Wollstonecraft’s schema?
In chapter twelve of the Rights of Woman, why is education of children posited as a “grand national concern”? (251)
What is her critique of existing forms of children’s education? (251-63)
What would her ideal school system look like? What would be its curriculum? What kind of structure would the school-day have? What would be the primary goals of the educational system? How would girls and boys be treated similarly or differently? How are these proposals similar to or different than the educational messages of Original Stories from Real Life? (263-65, 268, 274-75)
Assess the political significance of this quote: “Public education, of every denomination, should be directed to form citizens; but if you wish to make good citizens, you must first exercise the affections of a son and a brother. This is the only way to expand the heart; for public affections, as well as public virtues, must ever grow out of the private character, or they are merely meteors that shoot athwart a dark sky, and disappear as they are gazed at and admired.” (256) Do you agree with Wollstonecraft’s robust linking of family life, public education, and good citizenship?

Citation: Botting, E. H. (2007, June 19). February 22nd. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from Notre Dame OpenCourseWare Web site: http://ocw.nd.edu/political-science/mary-wollstonecraft-and-mary-shelley/discussion-questions/february-22nd.