The time of Romanticism is historically regarded as a masculine
phenomenon. As Anne K. Mellor pointed out, Romanticism as a literary
movement was constructed and defined by a masculine discourse and
ideology, a “masculine Romanticism”. This masculine Romanticism is the
traditional understanding of the literary movement – based on the
writings and thoughts of the five canonical writers Wordsworth,
Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, and Keats. Mellor suggests that “feminine
Romanticism” occurs to recover the erased and neglected voices of women
writers within this movement. To understand these differences of
masculine and feminine Romanticism, one has to realize that both terms
serve as an ideological gender construction, not in terms of the author´s
sex. To analyse female romantic literature also means to consider the
division of ´private´ and ´public´ sphere occuring in the eighteenth
century, a phenomenon that should be discussed in the following
chapter.
This paper aims to show how women writers could made a career in the
male-dominated time of Romanticism. In order to show the problems they
experienced within a patriarchal society, I will explore the subordination
of women by a construction of femininity which did not grant them the
status of rational thinking subjects. For this purpose I have chosen the
example of Mary Wollstonecraft, the revolutionary founder of feminism.
Wollstonecraft was not only a writer herself, but she was also the wife of
the well-known political philosopher, William Godwin, and she gave birth
to Mary Godwin Shelley, the famous author of Frankenstein. As a member
of the literary circle around Joseph Johnson, she was surrounded by famous contemporary writers and was involved in literary relationships
within her own family circle.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Norms, conventions and the problem of female authorship
- 3. Mary Wollstonecraft
- 3.1. Early Life and Works
- 3.2. "The First of a New Genus"
- 3.3. The Two Vindications
- 3.4. France and Gilbert Imlay
- 3.5. William Godwin
- 4. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to demonstrate how women writers managed to establish careers during the male-dominated Romantic era. It explores the challenges faced by female authors within a patriarchal society that subordinated women and denied them the status of rational thinkers. Using Mary Wollstonecraft as a case study, the paper examines her ability to navigate these societal constraints and create space for herself in the public sphere. The analysis considers her life and works to understand how she challenged and interacted with the conventions of "masculine Romanticism."
- The challenges faced by women writers in the Romantic era.
- The construction of femininity and its impact on women's intellectual and social standing.
- Mary Wollstonecraft's life and works as a case study of a female writer navigating patriarchal society.
- Wollstonecraft's contributions to feminism and gender equality.
- The intersection of personal experiences and literary production in Wollstonecraft's writing.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the paper by highlighting the traditionally masculine perception of Romanticism and the subsequent need to recover the voices of women writers within the movement. It introduces Mary Wollstonecraft as a pivotal figure in this context, noting her significant contributions as a writer, wife of William Godwin, and mother of Mary Shelley. The chapter outlines the paper's objectives: to examine how Wollstonecraft carved out a space for herself in the male-dominated public sphere and how she interacted with the conventions of masculine Romanticism. The focus will be on her most significant political and educational works, excluding her novels. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of understanding Wollstonecraft’s biography in interpreting her writings and examines the socio-political environment of her time which restricted women due to their perceived "lack of education."
2. Norms, conventions and the problem of female authorship: This chapter delves into the specific difficulties faced by female authors in the Romantic era. It describes the societal expectations that confined women to the domestic sphere and viewed their public literary pursuits as transgressions. The chapter highlights the double bind faced by women writers who were pressured to conform to societal ideals of femininity while simultaneously striving to establish themselves as serious literary figures. It explores the social pressures to remain modest and self-deprecating and the potential for criticism or dismissal if those norms were not adhered to. This sets the stage for understanding the challenges Wollstonecraft faced in her own career.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Romantic era, women writers, Mary Wollstonecraft, feminism, gender, patriarchy, public sphere, private sphere, female authorship, literary identity, political writing, educational tracts, societal constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Study of Mary Wollstonecraft and Female Authorship in the Romantic Era
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper examines how women writers, specifically focusing on Mary Wollstonecraft, managed to establish careers during the male-dominated Romantic era. It explores the challenges they faced within a patriarchal society and analyzes how Wollstonecraft navigated these constraints to create space for herself in the public sphere.
What are the key themes explored in this study?
The key themes include the challenges faced by women writers in the Romantic era; the construction of femininity and its impact on women's intellectual and social standing; Mary Wollstonecraft's life and works as a case study; Wollstonecraft's contributions to feminism and gender equality; and the intersection of personal experiences and literary production in Wollstonecraft's writing.
What is the scope of the analysis regarding Mary Wollstonecraft's works?
The analysis primarily focuses on Wollstonecraft's significant political and educational works, excluding her novels. Her life and biography are considered crucial for interpreting her writings and understanding the socio-political context that shaped her work.
What specific challenges faced by women writers are discussed?
The paper discusses the societal expectations that confined women to the domestic sphere and viewed their public literary pursuits as transgressions. It highlights the "double bind" faced by women writers: the pressure to conform to societal ideals of femininity while simultaneously striving for recognition as serious literary figures. The social pressures to remain modest and self-deprecating, and the potential for criticism or dismissal if those norms were not adhered to, are also explored.
What is the significance of the Romantic era in this context?
The Romantic era is presented as traditionally viewed as a masculine movement. This paper aims to recover the voices of women writers within this movement, highlighting Wollstonecraft's pivotal role and contributions.
What is the role of Wollstonecraft's biography in this study?
Wollstonecraft's biography is central to understanding her writings and her interaction with the conventions of "masculine Romanticism." The paper emphasizes the importance of understanding her personal experiences and the socio-political environment of her time in interpreting her work.
What are the key chapters and their contents?
The paper includes an introduction establishing the context and objectives; a chapter exploring the norms and conventions affecting female authorship; a chapter dedicated to Mary Wollstonecraft's life and works, broken down into sub-sections focusing on her early life, key works ("Vindications"), relationships, and impact; and a concluding chapter.
What are the keywords associated with this study?
Keywords include Romantic era, women writers, Mary Wollstonecraft, feminism, gender, patriarchy, public sphere, private sphere, female authorship, literary identity, political writing, educational tracts, and societal constraints.
- Quote paper
- Liwanag Hüttenmüller (Author), 2008, Women Writers in the Romantic Age, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/136398
