Plot Summary

A Serious Proposal To The Ladies

Mary Astell
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A Serious Proposal To The Ladies

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1694

Book Brief

Mary Astell

A Serious Proposal To The Ladies

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1694
Book Details
Pages

300

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

England • 1690s

Publication Year

1694

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In A Serious Proposal to the Ladies, Mary Astell argues for the uniform education of women in both religious and secular fields to make them more moral and productive members of society. She proposes establishing monastery schools where women can be educated without the distraction of men, supporting her position with philosophical arguments to advance their roles and opportunities in society.

Informative

Inspirational

Contemplative

Challenging

Hopeful

Reviews & Readership

4.2

139 ratings

63%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Mary Astell's A Serious Proposal To The Ladies is praised for its pioneering feminist ideas and strong advocacy for women's education. Readers appreciate Astell's clear and compelling prose. However, some find her arguments repetitive and her conservative views on religion limiting. Overall, it remains a significant historical work in feminist literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Serious Proposal To The Ladies?

A reader who would enjoy A Serious Proposal To The Ladies by Mary Astell is likely interested in early feminist literature, women's history, and philosophical discussions on gender equality. Comparable to readers of Mary Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Woman and Simone de Beauvoir's The Second Sex, they appreciate works advocating for women's education and empowerment.

4.2

139 ratings

63%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

300

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

England • 1690s

Publication Year

1694

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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