A Vindication of the Rights of Woman · Chapter
Modesty Comprehensively Considered explained
Wollstonecraft argues that true modesty is a product of reason and chastity, not mere propriety or bashfulness.
What happens
Wollstonecraft argues that true modesty is a product of reason and chastity, not mere propriety or bashfulness. She contends that women who cultivate their intellects are more genuinely modest, and criticizes the false modesty instilled by social customs and education. She calls for equal cultivation of modesty in both sexes and warns against the indelicacy fostered by female intimacy and boarding schools.
Themes in this chapter
Virtue and Morality
Wollstonecraft redefines modesty as a virtue stemming from reason and chastity, not social performance.
Women's Education and Reason
She argues that intellectual cultivation leads to genuine modesty and moral purity.
False Femininity and Sensuality
Critique of coquetry, gallantry, and the artificial modesty taught to women.
Characters to notice
- Mary Wollstonecraft
The author and narrator, reflecting on modesty, chastity, and the education of women.
Key passages
“The woman who has dedicated a considerable portion of her time to pursuits purely intellectual, and whose affections have been exercised by humane plans of usefulness, must have more purity of mind, as a natural consequence, than the ignorant beings whose time and thoughts have been occupied by gay pleasures or schemes to conquer hearts.”
A woman who spends her time on intellectual pursuits and charitable activities will naturally have a purer mind than those focused on pleasure or romantic conquests.
Wollstonecraft links intellectual and moral development to genuine modesty.
“Modesty must be equally cultivated by both sexes, or it will ever remain a sickly hothouse plant, whilst the affectation of it, the fig leaf borrowed by wantonness, may give a zest to voluptuous enjoyments.”
Modesty must be developed in both men and women equally, or it will be weak and artificial, used only to enhance sensual pleasures.
She argues for gender equality in the cultivation of modesty.
“That decent personal reserve, which is the foundation of dignity of character, must be kept up between women, or their minds will never gain strength or modesty.”
Women must maintain a respectful personal distance from each other to develop strength of character and true modesty.
Wollstonecraft criticizes excessive familiarity among women as detrimental to moral development.