Project Paper

Project Paper: Women’s Role

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Project Paper: Women’s Role

Biography Information

“Hello how are you are you Olympe de Gauges” Mary Wollstonecraft greeted while shaking hands,

“Hello madam Mary Wollstonecraft, it a pleasure meeting you” Olympe de Gauges replied. “I cannot wait to hear more about you” Olympe continued.

“I will tell you” Wollstonecraft replied “I was born Spitalfields in London in 1759, my mother died in1780 and I had to be raised by my abusive father, so I left home and tried my luck in writing. I initially settled in Newington Green with the help of my friend and my sister. This is when I started writing, and I drafted my first work ‘Thoughts on the education of a girl in 1787 and later on in 1972 I drafted my popular work ‘vindication of the Right of women’ while I was working as an adviser and translator to Joseph Johnson. I was so much into fight for the rights of women. I did not understand why women were considered less equal to men. This is what made people to focus more on my children born out of wedlock and looked down upon just because they were born of unmarried woman. This is why I spent most of my life trying to make the society give the woman equal right. I did that till my last breath in 1797 that is too much of me what about you? (Biography.com, 2014). ”

“Ooh, yeah we share almost the same story” Olympe replied “I was in 1748 May in Mountauban, France, I married at 16, but only for a while, and I lost my husband, by then I was known as Marie. I later on changed my name to Olympe de Gouges, I relocated to Paris and decided never to be married again. During my life as a single mother, I experienced a number of problems that society subjects women to just because they are women, I also realized of the presence of discriminative law and thus, I joined active politics. I focused more in addressing social problem facing women which included divorce laws, rights for unmarried mothers, orphans rights, and maternity hospitals. I also wrote a number of plays which included slavery of blacks, and declaration of the rights of women and the female citizens. I fought for the rights of children born out of wedlock which were not recognized by their fathers especially in inheritance matters. This did not please many and thus, they decided to arrest and execute me that was around 1793 (Kulper, 2016).”

“Oooh that was absurd” Wollstonecraft commented

Historical Status for Women in General During the time Period of the Life

”Maybe were living in the same era where women were regarded to less human than men” Wollstonecraft stated

“Yes” Olympe agreed “During the 18th century men were highly regard in our society than women. They all the laws favored men while women were left to suffer. Women never had rights not as married or unmarried”

“True” Wollstonecraft agreed “I remember I could not associate my children born out of wedlock with their father. Therefore, they could not get their inheritance right and there was no law to help them stand for themselves. They lived as fatherless children. Moreover, girls education was not considered important, men could educate their sons while they looked down on girl child.” “That is very true my friend” Olympe agreed

“I remember witnessing women being denied their rights after their husbands were dead. Orphans could not get their inheritance out of lack of legal structure to claim it and presence of greedy people who took advantage of poor legal structure. It was really absurd” Wollstonecraft nodded in agreement

Opinions on Women Role in the Society During lifetime

“In my opinion, Olympe, women are required to serve the society full as men do in their lifetime. They should be given a chance to study as girls and to serve the society as adults as they earn their livelihood. They need to be given rights to live their life as men do. Their children should be protected whether born in wedlock or out of wedlock. Women should be given a chance to live and stand for what they believe in for a better society (Oldbaileyonline.org, 2015).” Wollstonecraft Stated

“I highly agree with you Wollstonecraft. Women have a great ability just like men to streamline the legal structure of any country to ensure rights of women and children are catered for. I am sorry to say but men in the legislation do not care about women and children’s welfare, they only make rules to protect their greed. Things can only change if women can consider fighting and taking part in making rules of a country which will bring balance not just in the families but in the society in general (Oldbaileyonline.org, 2015).” Olympe replied

Women’s Thought Regarding Current Roles of Women

“But to speak the truth Olympe, things have currently changed greatly compared our time. Most countries have currently recognized the woman’s ability. Laws have been amended to cater for most of the things we were fighting for during our time. I believe women should not focus on ensuring effective implementation of these rules and to ensure women are given the respect they deserve in the society.” Wollstonecraft stated.

“Wollstonecraft, that is very true. After fighting for so long, women in this generation have managed to change rules which gives them equal rights to men, though they still need to fight to streamline everything. There is still high marital brutality that oppresses women either physical or emotional. Women should ensure they employ more effort to streamline implementation of these laws to ensure that that the laws benefit them full and that they protect their children to the fullest” Olympe replied.

References

Biography.com. (2014). Mary Wollstonecraft biography. Retrieved from < http://www.biography.com/people/mary-wollstonecraft-9535967>

Kulper, K. (2016). Olympe de Gouges. Retrieved from < https://www.britannica.com/biography/Olympe-de-Gouges>

Oldbaileyonline.org. (2015). Gender in proceedings. Retrieved from < https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/static/Gender.jsp>