Wollstonecraft and modern society The emergence of modern science is not the only thing to have changed since the eighteenth century – society has changed too. As mentioned already (Section 4.4), tolerance of difference is now more widespread. The next audio discussion asks whether such social changes mean Wollstonecraft’s importance is merely historical.
Activity
(Allow around 40 minutes to complete this activity.)
Listen to the following audio recording on ‘Wollstonecraft and social change’, in which I discuss Wollstonecraft’s views with Susan James, Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London. As with the previous recording, you might want to listen to this more than once.
As you follow the discussion, note down any answers to the questions below, using the timings as a guide:
1. What differences does James think a modern-day reader should keep in mind when reading Wollstonecraft? (00:32)
2. Which three elements of Wollstonecraft’s work does James think are ‘enormously relevant’ today? (02:20–07:32)
3. What explains Wollstonecraft’s apparently contemptuous descriptions of most of the women of her time, according to James? (07:32)
4. According to James, what rights did Wollstonecraft wish to establish for women? (09:09)
5. What does James think Wollstonecraft may have had too much faith in? (10:40)
