Beliefs
Mary had many ethics on the regards of gender equality, but her main and most famous beliefs were the following:
-Firstly, women receiving equal education to men was crucial. A proposal for a female only college, where all women can learn to read, write, and analyze works was brought up by her. The university would also serve as a refuge for females who refused to pursue a life as a housewife, as they could remain there, sheltered from the outside world, and be educated. Her project did not come forth, but was considered and valued by many people, especially women.
-Another of Mary's principles was that any woman who should enter a marriage must receive basic education before acquiring a marital status, in the case that if she was being forced into being wed, she could still defend and protect herself from her circumstances, and fight against being a 'classic housewife.'
-In these lines, she also argued that a woman should marry for friendship and love, not for money or power- and the same for men- they should not marry a woman for her looks, wealth, or power. In the lines of nuptial agreements, she also discussed on how a man should never overpower his wife, as there should be a balance between both the husband and wife in the household.
-Last but definitely not least, Mary thought that a woman should maintain religious devotion to reach a state of mental clarity and purity where God can enlighten her to seek for the pursuit of knowledge. Her beliefs were a merging of rationalism and religion- as she thought that for a woman to be enlightened by humanistic thoughts, she firstly had to receive such an awakening from praying devoutly.
-Firstly, women receiving equal education to men was crucial. A proposal for a female only college, where all women can learn to read, write, and analyze works was brought up by her. The university would also serve as a refuge for females who refused to pursue a life as a housewife, as they could remain there, sheltered from the outside world, and be educated. Her project did not come forth, but was considered and valued by many people, especially women.
-Another of Mary's principles was that any woman who should enter a marriage must receive basic education before acquiring a marital status, in the case that if she was being forced into being wed, she could still defend and protect herself from her circumstances, and fight against being a 'classic housewife.'
-In these lines, she also argued that a woman should marry for friendship and love, not for money or power- and the same for men- they should not marry a woman for her looks, wealth, or power. In the lines of nuptial agreements, she also discussed on how a man should never overpower his wife, as there should be a balance between both the husband and wife in the household.
-Last but definitely not least, Mary thought that a woman should maintain religious devotion to reach a state of mental clarity and purity where God can enlighten her to seek for the pursuit of knowledge. Her beliefs were a merging of rationalism and religion- as she thought that for a woman to be enlightened by humanistic thoughts, she firstly had to receive such an awakening from praying devoutly.
Contributions |
Thanks to her many works, Mary managed to gather many female followers at her times. With some of her wealthier admirers, she collected enough money to fund a charity school for girls that closed down in the 1800's, many years after she had already died. This opportunity to provide girls with a proper education brought up many cultured women.
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Mondern Day |
As Mary kept her life under a very low profile, there isn't too much to be known about her. Even so, by the time period she wrote in, she has been nominated and considered England's first feminist. Her literary works are also available to this day, and many of her quotes are used by women these days.
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