Central Ideas in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
Question 4 • CA-English Language Arts 12 A
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.
Answer
I
In proper societies, there are strict laws about marriage.
M
Men will fall into submission when their wives are well educated.
I
In equal roles, men and women will establish more meaningful marriages.
M
Men and women should marry for reasons other than love and affection.
Explanation
Wollstonecraft argues that when society stops coercing people and treats men and women more equitably, they will naturally find their “proper places.” She says this can make marriage more sacred, with young men choosing wives out of affection and women letting love replace vanity. This supports the idea that greater equality leads to more meaningful marriages, rather than strict marriage laws or rejecting love.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.