E212: British Literature since 1760

Mary Wollstonecraft Study Questions

Al Drake | Uni Hall 329 | Th. 6:00-7:00 | ajdrake@ajdrake.com

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Assigned: A Vindication of the Rights of Men (128ff)

1. On 129, what reproach does Wollstonecraft make against Burke's rhetorical emphasis in Reflections on the Revolution in France? How, according to her, does this emphasis undermine Burke's argument?

2. On 130-31, how does Wollstonecraft define "the rights of men"? According to her, what misunderstanding besets Burke's claims about human rights?

3. On 131-33, Wollstonecraft attacks Burke's views on property and on the correct way to deal with poverty. What is the basis of her argument against relying too much on property rights?

Edition: Abrams, M.H. et al. The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Volume 2A. Seventh edition. New York: Norton, 2000.