The Weakness of Women

Daniel Defoe argues that it is in every man’s interest to watch the women in his life realise their full potential.

1697

King George II 1727-1760

Introduction

One of the first public men in England to address inequality between the sexes was Daniel Defoe (1660-1731), author of ‘Moll Flanders’. Defoe wanted a ‘female academy’ set up to educate women to their full potential, and argued that it was in every man’s interest.

by Daniel Defoe 1660-1731

abridged

AND herein it is that I take upon me to make such a bold assertion, That all the world are mistaken in their practice about women. For I cannot think that God Almighty ever made them so delicate, so glorious creatures; and furnished them with such charms, so agreeable and so delightful to mankind; with souls capable of the same accomplishments with men: and all, to be only Stewards of our Houses, Cooks, and Slaves.

Not that I am for exalting the female government* in the least: but, in short, I would have men take women for companions, and educate them to be fit for it. A woman of sense and breeding will scorn as much to encroach upon the prerogative of man,* as a man of sense will scorn to oppress the weakness of the woman. But if the women’s souls were refined and improved by teaching, that word would be lost. To say, the weakness of the sex, as to judgement, would be nonsense; for ignorance and folly would be no more to be found among women than men.

by Daniel Defoe 1660-1731

abridged

Abridged from ‘An Essay Upon Projects: The Education of Women’ (published 1697), in ‘Later Stuart Tracts’ (1903), edited by George A. Aitken (1860-1917).

That is, for matriarchy. Defoe does not want to exchange the roles of women and men, but to turn master and servant into mutual companions.

See Ephesians 5:22-33.

Précis

Back in the late seventeenth century, essayist Daniel Defoe argued in favour of providing women with an education the equal of that given to men. He said that God had made women the equal of men in every important respect, and that any inferiority would be removed, and every charm enhanced, if they were encouraged to realise their potential.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

Why in Defoe’s opinion was it wrong for women to be regarded as no more than stewards of men’s houses?

Suggestion

Because God had made them man’s equal.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Defoe made a claim. ‘Everyone is wrong about women.’ He felt he was being bold.