Alan Taylor, A Vindication of the Rights of Women

The text below was taken from the book by Mary Wollstomecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Women first published in 1790, a year after the French Revolution. The words were taken from many different sections of the book, and have been reassembled into a continuous 'speech' which I think does not misrepresent the essence of her argument.

The piece was written for Troika, and I am very grateful to them for singing through the piece in draft and helping me to make many improvements.

I must be allowed to explain myself.
It cannot be demonstrated
that woman is essentially inferior
to man.
She has always been subjugated.

Women are not a swarm of ephemeral triflers.
They are supposed to possess
more sensibility,
and even more humanity
than men.

But humanity does not consist in a squeamish ear.
It belongs to the mind
as well as the nerves.

Women's first duty is to themselves
as rational creatures.
But men encourage a weak elegancy of mind
and sweet docility of manners.

In this style argue tyrants of every denomination.
They are all eager to crush reason.
I declare against all power
built on prejudice.

Liberty is the mother of virtue.
Women must be allowed to breathe
the sharp invigorating air
of freedom.