More Than Meets The Eye

“Modesty must be equally cultivated by both sexes, or it will ever remain a sickly hothouse plant, whilst the affection of it, the fig leaf borrowed by watonness, may give a zest to voluptuous enjoyment” (204). The key word in this quote by Mary Wollstonecraft is “equally”. Equality is a theme that Wollstonecraft integrates into her novel, “A Vindication of the Rights of Women”, quite frequently. It is a theme that she threads into topics varying from education to sexual desires. No matter what the area of conversation, Wollstonecraft is an advocate for equality between the two genders. Specifically in chapter VII of A Vindication of the Rights of Women, Wollstonecraft dissects the biases and unfair acceptances that are associated with modesty. One definition of modesty states, “the behavior, manner, or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency.” In chapter VII, it is explained that men reason that they by nature, are granted a lower standard of modesty. And more so than that, men on the contrary believe that women as part of their quest for ultimate virtue, must hold a much higher quality of modesty. “With respect to propriety of behaviour, excepting one class of females, women have evidently the advantage. What can be more disgusting than that impudent dross of gallantry, thought so manly, which makes many men stare insultingly at every female they meet? Can it be termed respect for the sex? No, this loose behaviour shows such habitual depravity, such weakness of mind, that it is vain to expect much public or private virtue, till both men and women grow more modest, till men, curbing a sensual fondness for the sex, or an affection of manly assurance, more properly speaking, impudence, treat each other with respect- unless appetite or passion give the tone, peculiar to it, to their behaviour. I mean even personal respect-the modest respect of humanity, and fellow-feeling- not the libidinous mockery of gallantry, not the insolent condescension of protectorship” (202). The topic of modesty is one that Wollstonecraft elaborates on throughout the entire chapter. She also highlights many different issues that relate back to the ultimate theme concerning virtue. But it is in this specific quoted section that I felt her opinions on the matter were most prominent. Prior to this section though, Wollstonecraft makes it clear that she believes modesty to be a virtue in of itself. She explains that modesty is not merely a quality of virtue, but it is virtue. Another observation that is important to note, is that she believes that chastity and modesty are two completely separate issues. To have chastity does not mean that one will also in consequence acquire modesty. Wollstonecraft admits in her quote, that women are often more chaste than men but it is not naturally that way, rather it has been established. This establishment is credited to the men who believe that women, “ought to have more modesty than man” (204). Wollstonecraft declares that, that is the opinion men tend to entertain about women. She also proclaims that the very men who disagree with her opinion on equality are the, “men of fancy, the favourites of the sex, who outwardly respect and inwardly despise the weak creatures whom they sport with” (204). Men are the ones who boast about their sexual conquests over women in private, much like Pompey in the play, “Measure for Measure”. In Wollstonecrafts opinion, Pompey would be the perfect example of a man who by societal definition has “true” virtue but in reality does not because he merely pretends to respect women and then is privately audacious. The elder brother in “Moll Flanders” is yet another character that is considered virtuous under the qualifications that he is merely a man. Wollstonecraft pronounces that men must learn to respect women for more than just being an applicable sexual partner or triumph and must begin to treat women as their equal.