Woman In The Nineteenth Century And Kindred Papers Relating To The Sphere Condition And Duties Of

Author : Margaret Fuller
Publisher : Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN 13 : 9781542552257
Total Pages : 204 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (522 download)

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Download or read book Woman in the Nineteenth Century written by Margaret Fuller and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2017-01-14 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Woman in the Nineteenth Century and kindred papers relating to the sphere, condition and duties, of woman Margaret Fuller Edited by her brother, Arthur B. Fuller. With an introduction by Horace Greeley. Woman in the Nineteenth Century is a book by American journalist, editor, and women's rights advocate Margaret Fuller. Originally published in July 1843 in The Dial magazine as "The Great Lawsuit. Man versus Men. Woman versus Women," it was later expanded and republished in book form in 1845. The basis for Fuller's essay is the idea that man will rightfully inherit the earth when he becomes an elevated being, understanding of divine love. There have been periods in time when the world was more awake to this love, but people are sleeping now; however, everyone has the power to become enlightened. Man cannot now find perfection because he is still burdened with selfish desires, but Fuller is optimistic and says that we are on the verge of a new awakening. She claims that in the past man, like Orpheus for Eurydice, has always called out for woman, but soon will come the time when women will call for men, when they will be equals and share a mortgage. The problem of Woman's position, or "sphere,"-of her duties, responsibilities, rights and immunities as Woman, -fitly attracts a large and still-increasing measure of attention from the thinkers and agitators of our time, The legislators, so called, -those who ultimately enact into statutes what the really governing class (to wit, the thinkers) have originated, matured and gradually commended to the popular comprehension and acceptance, -are not as yet much occupied with this problem, only fitfully worried and more or less consciously puzzled by it. More commonly they merely echo the mob's shallow retort to the petition of any strong-minded daughter or sister, who demands that she be allowed a voice in disposing of the money wrenched from her hard earnings by inexorable taxation, or in shaping the laws by which she is ruled, judged, and is liable to be sentenced to prison or to death, "It is a woman's business to obey her husband, keep his home tidy, and nourish and train his children." But when she rejoins to this, "Very true; but suppose I choose not to have a husband, or am not chosen for a wife-what then? I am still subject to your laws. Why am I not entitled, as a rational human being, to a voice in shaping them? I have physical needs, and must somehow earn a living. Why should I not be at liberty to earn it in any honest and useful calling?"-the mob's flout is hushed, and the legislator Is struck dumb also. They were already at the end of their scanty resources of logic, and it would be cruel for woman to ask further: "Suppose me a wife, and my husband a drunken prodigal-what am I to do then? May I not earn food for my babes without being exposed to have it snatched from their mouths to replenish the rumseller's till, and aggravate my husband's madness? If some sympathizing relative sees fit to leave me a bequest wherewith to keep my little ones together, why may I not be legally enabled to secure this to their use and benefit? In short, why am I not regarded by the law as a soul, responsible for my acts to God and humanity, and not as a mere body, devoted to the unreasoning service of my husband?" The state gives no answer, and the champions of her policy evince wisdom in imitating her silence.