The Great Lawsuit

In Fuller’s view, the 19th-century American man is capable of achieving divine perfection but struggling to do so because of society’s patriarchal norms. Many such men are ruled by selfishness and find it nearly impossible to consider a woman’s perspective. Men also benefit from negative stereotypes about women and expressions such as “You cannot reason with a woman,” which are common and socially acceptable in Fuller’s time (Paragraph 42).

Man gains power from laws, institutions, and other societal structures designed for his benefit; since he is not enlightened, he sees no reason to challenge them. One example involves inheritance rights. A wife does not gain full ownership of her husband’s property when he dies, but he can inherit everything she owns if the tables are turned.

According to Fuller, men have no desire to be like women, and when they admire something about a woman, they tend to describe that woman as masculine rather than recognizing that women have much to offer the world. If she has a strong intellect, it’s not that women are intelligent but that this particular woman has a masculine mind. Fuller also says men tend to be selfish, vain, and power hungry, qualities that blind them to women’s contributions and potential.