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A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

by Mary Wollstonecraft

A radical argument for education, dignity and equal moral development.

Written 1792 41 guided readings Named English edition Read at your own pace

The book stays at the centre.

Read the source first. Use the guide when the language slows you down.

Original text first

Read the author's own words in a calm, focused layout.

Guidance in plain English

Get help with difficult language, context and argument.

Key takeaways for every chapter

Finish each chapter with the ideas worth carrying forward.

Read it in the order it was written.

Each reading keeps the source, context, explanation and takeaways together.

01
INTRODUCTIONOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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CHAPTER 1

02
CHAPTER 1Original source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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CHAPTER 2

03
CHAPTER 2. Against sexual characterOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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04
CHAPTER 2. Pleasing and private virtueOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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05
CHAPTER 2. Marriage after passion fadesOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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06
CHAPTER 2. Reason, liberty and female moral agencyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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CHAPTER 3

07
CHAPTER 3. Strength against false delicacyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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08
CHAPTER 3. Artificiality and equal virtueOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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09
CHAPTER 3. From dependence to maternal ruinOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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CHAPTER 4

10
CHAPTER 4. Reason against ornamental femininityOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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11
CHAPTER 4. Rank rewards appearanceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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12
CHAPTER 4. Education, duty and dependenceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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13
CHAPTER 4. Fine education and false delicacyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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14
CHAPTER 4. Honour, desire and idlenessOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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15
CHAPTER 4. Class and mental neglectOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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CHAPTER 5

16
CHAPTER 5. Rousseau's false principleOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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17
CHAPTER 5. Temper, artifice and religionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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18
CHAPTER 5. Marriage, love and reasonOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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19
CHAPTER 5. Fordyce and Gregory exposedOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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20
CHAPTER 5. From manners to moral reserveOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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21
CHAPTER 5. Rousseau, equality and mutual friendshipOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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22
CHAPTER 5. Passions, prudence and educationOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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23
CHAPTER 5. Reason against inherited opinionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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CHAPTER 6

24
CHAPTER 6Original source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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CHAPTER 7

25
CHAPTER 7. Modesty as reasoned virtueOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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26
CHAPTER 7. Reserve, schooling and habitOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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CHAPTER 8

27
CHAPTER 8. Reputation distorts moralityOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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28
CHAPTER 8. Chastity as shared dutyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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CHAPTER 9

29
CHAPTER 9. Property and rank as corruptionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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30
CHAPTER 9. Women's independence through useOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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CHAPTER 10

31
CHAPTER 10Original source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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CHAPTER 11

32
CHAPTER 11Original source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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CHAPTER 12

33
CHAPTER 12. From home teaching to public reformOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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34
CHAPTER 12. From public virtue to domestic formationOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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35
CHAPTER 12. Mixed schools as civic reformOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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36
CHAPTER 12. Feeling corrected by reasonOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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37
CHAPTER 12. Maternal duty and public studyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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CHAPTER 13

38
CHAPTER 13. Superstition and false devotionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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39
CHAPTER 13. Novels and social displayOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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40
CHAPTER 13. Mothers, children and domestic reformOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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41
CHAPTER 13. Oppression as the source of viceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways
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Source and edition are always named.

Mary Wollstonecraft, 1792. The Ancient Knowledge Club guide is original and kept separate from the source text.