Central Ideas in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman - entire unit

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Write an objective summary that includes two to three central ideas from the dedication to Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.

Sample Response: In her argument, Wollstonecraft claims that both men and women must be educated in order to have the same knowledge. She explains that giving women equal rights will benefit both men and women because it will enable women to raise patriotic children and be better companions to men. She argues that because women are equally capable of reason, they are equally deserving of rights. She concludes by explaining that not giving women equal rights is unjust.

Controlling idea Both men and women must be educated in order to have the same knowledge. Central ideas A lack of education will not make women care only about household issues. Giving women rights will help both men and women. How does Wollstonecraft use these two central ideas together to build the controlling idea? She describes a misconception about women's education, and then builds on it to explain how educating women benefits everyone. She describes women's current situation, and then explains how men can help prevent that situation from changing. She uses both ideas to show that a lack of education has negative effects on women. She uses both ideas to show how denying women an education positively affects men.

She describes a misconception about women's education, and then builds on it to explain how educating women benefits everyone.

Read the excerpt from A History of Women's Suffrage by Stanton, Anthony, and Gage. The broader demand for political rights has not commanded the thought its merits and dignity should have secured. While complaining of many wrongs and oppressions, women themselves did not see that the political disability of sex was the cause of all their special grievances, and that to secure equality anywhere, it must be recognized everywhere. Like all disfranchised classes, they begun by asking to have certain wrongs redressed, and not by asserting their own right to make laws for themselves. Which statement summarizes the authors' argument? Women should try to speak up in public. Women's personal dignity is not respected. Women have many complaints that they want to voice. Women's lack of political rights is the root of their troubles.

Women's lack of political rights is the root of their troubles.

I have repeatedly asserted, and produced what appeared to me irrefragable arguments drawn from matters of fact, to prove my assertion, that women cannot, by force, be confined to domestic concerns; for they will, however ignorant, intermeddle with more weighty affairs, neglecting private duties only to disturb, by cunning tricks, the orderly plans of reason which rise above their comprehension. -A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,Mary Wollstonecraft What central idea does Wollstonecraft explicitly state in this passage? A lack of education will not make women care only about household issues. Women are naturally interested only in domestic concerns. Men do not take into account how cunning and tricky women can be. Men and women are equally capable of logic and reason.

A lack of education will not make women care only about household issues.

Controlling idea Both men and women must be educated in order to have the same knowledge. Central ideas It is unexplainable that women cannot participate in government. Women should be free to decide for themselves what makes them happy. How do these two central ideas work together to build the controlling idea? Both support the idea that women must be allowed to participate in government. Both support the idea that men and women are equal members of the human race with unequal rights. Both support the idea that women would be less happy if they were able to participate in everything men can.

Both support the idea that men and women are equal members of the human race with unequal rights.

How can the topic "students and cell phones" be presented as an argument? Recent surveys suggest that over 70 percent of all American students ages 14-17 own a cell phone. Students at Omega High School have expressed interest in having access to their phones during school hours. School policies regarding cell-phone usage varies by region and is the source of considerable debate. Cell-phone usage should be embraced at public schools as a means of information acquisition.

Cell-phone usage should be embraced at public schools as a means of information acquisition.

But, till men become attentive to the duty of a father, it is vain to expect women to spend that time in their nursery which they, "wise in their generation," choose to spend at their glass; for this exertion of cunning is only an instinct of nature to enable them to obtain indirectly a little of that power of which they are unjustly denied a share: for, if women are not permitted to enjoy legitimate rights, they will render both men and themselves vicious, to obtain illicit privileges. -A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,Mary Wollstonecraft What is the central idea of this passage? Women do not have enough time to raise children. Both men and women need to trust their instincts. Looking in the mirror harms women's ability to gain rights. Giving women rights will help both men and women.

Giving women rights will help both men and women.

Read the excerpt from A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Consider, Sir, dispassionately, these observations—for a glimpse of this truth seemed to open before you when you observed, 'that to see one half of the human race excluded by the other from all participation of government, was a political phænomenon that, according to abstract principles, it was impossible to explain.' If so, on what does your constitution rest? If the abstract rights of man will bear discussion and explanation, those of woman, by a parity of reasoning, will not shrink from the same test. Which statement paraphrases Wollstonecraft's central idea? If men exclude women from government, then there are fewer voters. If people want government to be fair, they should adopt a constitution. If men discuss politics, then women should participate in the conversation. If the Constitution supports men's rights, it should support women's rights, too.

If men discuss politics, then women should be able to participate in the conversation.

Read the excerpt from A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Let there be then no coercion established in society, and the common law of gravity prevailing, the sexes will fall into their proper places. And, now that more equitable laws are forming your citizens, marriage may become more sacred: your young men may choose wives from motives of affection, and your maidens allow love to root out vanity. What is the central idea of the excerpt? In proper societies, there are strict laws about marriage. Men will fall into submission when their wives are well educated. In equal roles, men and women will establish more meaningful marriages. Men and women should marry for reasons other than love and affection.

In equal roles, men and women will establish more meaningful marriages.

Controlling idea Both men and women must be educated in order to have the same knowledge. Central idea Giving women rights will help both men and women. How does the central idea support the overall argument expressed in the controlling idea? It shows the benefits of education for women in future generations. It establishes the idea that women are not the only ones who benefit from equal education. It illustrates how men can have improved education. It demonstrates a negative result of improving women's education.

It establishes the idea that women are not the only ones who benefit from equal education.

Consider, Sir, dispassionately, these observations—for a glimpse of this truth seemed to open before you when you observed, "that to see one half of the human race excluded by the other from all participation of government, was a political phænomenon that, according to abstract principles, it was impossible to explain." If so, on what does your constitution rest? -A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,Mary Wollstonecraft What is the central idea of this passage? Truth comes from careful observations that are free from bias. It is unexplainable that women cannot participate in government. It is important that women play a role in writing a new constitution.

It is unexplainable that women cannot participate in government.

But, till men become attentive to the duty of a father, it is vain to expect women to spend that time in their nursery which they, "wise in their generation," choose to spend at their glass; for this exertion of cunning is only an instinct of nature to enable them to obtain indirectly a little of that power of which they are unjustly denied a share: for, if women are not permitted to enjoy legitimate rights, they will render both men and themselves vicious, to obtain illicit privileges. -A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,Mary Wollstonecraft What ideas in the passage tell more information about the topic of equal rights for women? Check all that apply. Men need to have more children so they have more practice parenting. Men are not expected to share responsibility in raising children. Women engage in vanity because they are denied equal rights. Women will try to gain power in negative ways when they do not have rights. When women do not have rights, they can act in ways that negatively affect men.

Men are not expected to share responsibility in raising children. Women engage in vanity because they are denied equal rights. Women will try to gain power in negative ways when they do not have rights. When women do not have rights, they can act in ways that negatively affect men.

Read the paragraph. When young people are encouraged to take risks, they build confidence in their own decision-making skills and capabilities. Consider Winston, a ninth grader willing to try out for a varsity sport or a competitive performance band. He risks failure and personal embarrassment, but he learns the tryout process. He may also learn his personal strengths and shortcomings. Whether he is met with success or not, the risk-taking experience fosters self-reflection and growth. What is the overall controlling idea throughout the paragraph? Young students should compete in varsity athletics. Students learn about themselves by taking risks. Students benefit from high-level competition. Young students are nervous during tryouts.

Students learn about themselves by taking risks.

Read the excerpt from A History of Women's Suffrage by Stanton, Anthony, and Gage. It would be nearer the truth to say the [gender] difference indicates different duties in the same sphere, seeing that man and woman were evidently made for each other, and have shown equal capacity in the ordinary range of human duties. In governing nations, leading armies, piloting ships across the sea, rowing life-boats in terrific gales; in art, science, invention, literature, woman has proved herself the complement of man in the world of thought and action. This difference does not compel us to spread our tables with different food for man and woman, nor to provide in our common schools a different course of study for boys and girls. Sex pervades all nature, yet the male and female tree and vine and shrub rejoice in the same sunshine and shade. The earth and air are free to all the fruits and flowers, yet each absorbs what best ensures its growth. Which statement best summarizes the authors' ideas? The differences between men and women allow them to balance one another, and they should be considered as equal as they are in nature. There are differences between men and women that should be more considered when determining what boys and girls learn in school. Men and women are different, and they perform different duties throughout history, school, and nature. Men and women have served different roles in government and society, but women will soon prove their superiority when they have rights.

The differences between men and women allow them to balance one another, and they should be considered as equal as they are in nature.

I wish, Sir, to set some investigations of this kind afloat in France; and should they lead to a confirmation of my principles, when your constitution is revised the Rights of Woman may be respected, if it be fully proved that reason calls for this respect, and loudly demands JUSTICE for one half of the human race. -A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, Mary Wollstonecraft What final ideas does Wollstonecraft present to support her argument? Check all that apply. Women's rights deserve the same respect as men's rights. Wollstonecraft is the person most qualified to revise the Constitution. The Rights of Woman should be widely read and respected. It is unjust for women to be excluded from having equal rights. It would be fair for women to have more rights than men.

Women's rights deserve the same respect as men's rights. It is unjust for women to be excluded from having equal rights.

Read the excerpt from Woman in the Nineteenth Century by Margaret Fuller. Yet, then and only then will mankind be ripe for this, when inward and outward freedom for Woman as much as for Man shall be acknowledged as a right, not yielded as a concession. As the friend of the negro assumes that one man cannot by right hold another in bondage, so should the friend of Woman assume that Man cannot by right lay even well-meant restrictions on Woman. If the negro be a soul, if the woman be a soul, apparelled in flesh, to one Master only are they accountable. How does Fuller develop an argument for women's rights? by describing the strength of women's friendships by making reference to a biblical lesson by insisting that everyone with a soul deserves rights by explaining the history of slavery

by insisting that everyone with a soul deserves rights

Read the excerpt from A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Consider, I address you as a legislator, whether, when men contend for their freedom, and to be allowed to judge for themselves respecting their own happiness, it be not inconsistent and unjust to subjugate women, even though you firmly believe that you are acting in the manner best calculated to promote their happiness? Who made man the exclusive judge, if woman partake with him of the gift of reason? How does this idea enhance Wollstonecraft's argument? by praising women serving in leadership roles by emphasizing the unhappiness of women servants by criticizing men as intellectually inferior to women by pointing out the legal injustice in the exclusion of women

by pointing out the legal injustice in the exclusion of women

Read the paragraph. Congratulations on your eighteenth birthday and your graduation! Now what? Well, you can vote in the next election. This will allow your opinions to be heard and reflected in our country's government. You can look around your community and observe roads, parks, and public places with new eyes. You might notice improvements that could be proposed. Or you might take a minute to pick up litter that someone else has left behind. As an adult, as a tax-paying citizen, embrace opportunities to contribute to the greater good. What is the topic of the paragraph? birthday celebrations voting rights the environment civic responsibility

civic responsibility

Read the paragraph. The Gonzales family offers an impressive example of environmental consciousness. Family members turn off lights and electronics as they leave their rooms. When the family is gone for the day, the air conditioning is set at a slightly higher temperature to reduce cooling costs. Mr. and Mrs. Gonzales use reusable grocery bags that the family stores in the pantry. A backyard garden provides more than half of the vegetables that the family consumes, and rain barrels are used to irrigate the crops. The topic of the paragraph is electricity conservation finances horticulture.

conservation

If children are to be educated to understand the true principle of patriotism, their mother must be a patriot; and the love of mankind, from which an orderly train of virtues spring, can only be produced by considering the moral and civil interest of mankind; but the education and situation of woman, at present, shuts her out from such investigations . . . -A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,Mary Wollstonecraft Use the drop-down menus to answer the questions about the passage. What is the topic? Which detail gives more information about the topic? Which sentence states the central idea?

patriotism "their mother must be a patriot" An educated mother can raise patriotic children.