Murray - Sargent Judith â€ÅOn the Equality of the Sexes”

Question: Describe about the Murray, Sargent Judith. On the Equality of the Sexes? Answer: Introduction Murray, Sargent Judith was a prominent American essayist, playwright, fiction writer, and poet of eighteenth-century. Her works propagated womens rights and influenced the emerging theatre of the post revolutionary era. She was a long forgotten writer who was recently re discovered and her works appeared in new editions. Murray left a body of work that throws light on the insight of the history and culture of the Post Revolutionary times. She was considered to be a liberal, intelligent and a wide thinking writer. She used her power of writing to challenge many prevailing opinions about the theatre and also the rights of women. Throughout her writings, Murray put forth the important social, philosophical and even political questions. She was an intelligent writer with deep thinking and reasoning and she presented in her writings all about the culture of the new nation she was a part of. Most of her notable works addressed the role and rights of women in the society ('First Lady Of Let ters: Judith Sargent Murray And The Struggle For Female Independence'). On the Equality of the Sexes On the Equality of the Sexes, the essay was published in the March of 1790 in Massachusetts Magazine. The essay was ahead of its time. It was the very first time ever that a women writer had pointed on an issue as sensitive (in those times) as womens equality with the men. It was something unique for that era and society. It was, according to the present-day scholars, the very first piece of writing, or the very first instance in the American society where a woman argued for womens capacity to reason (Galewski). The main subject of the essay dealt with the status of women in the society. It revolved around how they were treated in education as well as society. Murray clearly rejected the notion that women are intellectually inferior to men and therefore cannot be considered for the positions and status equal to men in the social scenario. The essay is a loud feminist writing, which gave a voice to a part of society that was downgraded since ages without any reason or logic. This essa y was the first ever feminist voice that rose in public in a way. She argued in the essay that not only the women are equally intelligent but also have equal aptitude as of men. Murray blamed the education system of being bias and unequal. Education system favoured men by granting them access to higher education and discouraged women from broadening their own minds (Murray). Murray strongly believed that while the boys were taught from a very early age to strive for greatness in their lives, girls were domesticated and stifled; pigeon holed into the role of a housewife (Murray). The women had limited access to education and learning, unless as in the case of Judith Sargent Murray, they had resources to teach themselves. Murray argued very strongly and covered her bases by pre-empting any possible counter argument. As she knew that some would reason that education of women would take time away from their house chores, she counter argued saying I answer that every requisite in female economy is easily attained; and, with truth I can add, that when once attained, they require no furthermental attention (Murray). She believed that by doing those same repetitive tasks daily no woman was actually improving her intellect. Her essay also had a theological approach. Murray said that God made men and women equal therefore women deserve same level of respect, stature and same opportunities. The only difference between men and women is physical, not mental. She said the same breath of God animates, enlivens, and invigorates us (Murray). Her ability and quality of putting forth her arguments strongly made her so popular. Conclusion The essay actually acted as a spark to light the fire of feminist thinking and more prominently feminine writings. On the Equality of the Sexes is a document of views of an educated woman, who taught herself and then used her knowledge to try to make a difference in the lives of other women who were not as fortunate as she was to have resources and reach to education. The essay was very successful attempt as neither it just put the idea out that the women are equally capable, but also demonstrated it. The idea was revolutionary at that time, but even today these notions are prevalent all around and this essay serves as an example. References- 'First Lady Of Letters: Judith Sargent Murray And The Struggle For Female Independence'. Choice Reviews Online 47.01 (2009): 47-0143-47-0143. Web. Galewski, Elizabeth. 'The Strange Case For Women's Capacity To Reason: Judith Sargent Murray's Use Of Irony In On The Equality Of The Sexes (1790)'. Quarterly Journal of Speech 93.1 (2007): 84-108. Web. Lorber, Judith. 'Beyond Equality Of The Sexes: The Question Of The Children'. The Family Coordinator 24.4 (1975): 465. Web. Mcgrath, Lynette. 'Let Us Have Our Libertie Againe: Amelia Lanier's 17Th Century Feminist Voice'. Women's Studies 20.3-4 (1992): 331-348. Web. ZINN, M. B. 'FAMILY, FEMINISM, AND RACE IN AMERICA'. Gender Society 4.1 (1990): 68-82. Web. 'Selected Writings Of Judith Sargent Murray'. Choice Reviews Online 33.09 (1996): 33-4979-33-4979. Web.