Wollstonecraft, Fuller, and Steinem

                As a female, I found that all of these essays somewhat connected to my life in some way. I thought that the variety of style in each piece was interesting and made me look at things in different way. I will say however that a few of the pieces were a little hard to interpret at first.

            The main theme in each essay was about feminism and discrimination against women in the past and the present. I think the most insulting comment someone can make to a woman is that they are weak. Women are so strong in so many ways. They should get more credit for how much strength they bring both physically and emotionally. Throughout time women have been thought of as second class citizens. In Margaret Fuller’s piece, she mentioned “And knowing there exists, in the world of men, a tone or feeling toward women as towards slaves…”  (pg. 1). I had never made this connection before, yet in some ways it seems true. Women have been thought as only capable of domestic chores such as cooking and cleaning and caring for children, while the men are free to work and live their own lives. Does that seem like a slave to you?

            Another fascinating point made was that men seem to care more about their position in social status or view in society then women. Gloria Steinem’s whole essay was about how if men could menstruate, it would almost become a bragging right on who could menstruate the longest, heaviest, etc. Obviously men can’t menstruate and women can, and you don’t see in society as it being as a positive thing in a way. I don’t know many girls who enjoy their period. I just found this point very interesting and a good way to show the male psyche verses the female.

            I find that being discriminated as a woman is still present in society today. Some can argue that is improving, and yes it has. Women are allowed to vote and work and have more rights. I feel however, that there are a lot of under the radar issues still present. Each of these writes who wrote their pieces felt discriminated in some way just because they are a woman.

            Overall, I found these essays to be inspiring. I want to prove history and the stereotypes wrong. I want to be a successful strong woman. I don’t want to be another domesticated housewife that does a man’s bidding. I want to step out on my own and make my own place in life.