Feminist reasoning in Mary Wollstonecraft's : a vindication of the wrongs of women or Maria

Abstract

The protagonist of the novel Maria presents herself as a woman who wants to undergo self-quest and be free from the restriction imposed by the patriarchal society. Maria struggles towards establishing an idealized family of her own but she fails in her attempt. She reels under patriarchal domination, financial competition and sexual identity but she is victimized by the male character or society. She is unable to find suitable male soul-mate because social and financial corruption doom her from the outset. In order to uplift her from such a dismal position, Wollstonecraft projects, a historical desire to educate women so that they may acquire reasoning to be able to take on the oppressive patriarchy.