Getting Married · Chapter
Survivals of Sex Slavery explained
This chapter critiques the institution of marriage by exposing its foundations in property law and sex slavery, arguing that current marriage laws are based on the morality of the tenth commandment, which treats women as chattels.
What happens
This chapter critiques the institution of marriage by exposing its foundations in property law and sex slavery, arguing that current marriage laws are based on the morality of the tenth commandment, which treats women as chattels. It contrasts romantic and child-rearing assumptions about marriage with the reality that neither grounds for divorce are recognized, revealing the underlying property-based morality. The chapter also discusses the revolt against marriage, the economic dependence of women, and the social hypocrisy that punishes attacks on marriage while winking at marital misconduct.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Marriage as an Institution
The chapter directly attacks marriage as an institution rooted in property and sex slavery, arguing that its laws are based on treating women as chattels.
Economic Dependence of Women
The chapter notes that the abolition of marriage would leave women more enslaved unless their economic dependence is addressed, and promises to discuss this later.
Hypocrisy and Social Pretense
Highlights the hypocrisy of society that punishes those who attack marriage while condoning marital misconduct, as illustrated by the contrasting treatment of Shelley and Nelson.
Characters to notice
- Shelley
Referenced as a historical figure attacked for his critique of marriage as an institution, contrasted with Nelson who was idolized despite similar personal conduct.
- Mary Wollstonecraft
Mentioned as a woman who loathed sex slavery but could not face the insecurity of vagabondage, illustrating the dilemma of women under marriage.
Key passages
“If we adopt the common romantic assumption that the object of marriage is bliss, then the very strongest reason for dissolving a marriage is that it shall be disagreeable to one or other or both of the parties.”
If marriage is meant to bring happiness, then unhappiness is the best reason for divorce.
Highlights the logical inconsistency between romantic ideals and actual divorce laws.
“What it is really founded on is the morality of the tenth commandment, which English women will one day succeed in obliterating from the walls of our churches by refusing to enter any building where they are publicly classed with a man’s house, his ox, and his ass, as his purchased chattels.”
Marriage law is based on the biblical commandment that treats women as property, like a man's house or livestock.
Critique of the property-based foundation of marriage.
“Shelley might have had an illegitimate child in every county in England if he had done so frankly as a sinner. His unpardonable offence was that he attacked marriage as an institution.”
Shelley would have been forgiven for personal immorality, but his crime was criticizing the institution of marriage itself.
Illustrates societal hypocrisy regarding marriage.