Woman in the Nineteenth Century

Examine Fuller’s argument for gender equality through the lens of human potential. How does she balance the idea of inherent gender differences with her call for equality between men and women? How does her argument uphold and subvert binary understandings of gender?

Analyze the influence of Transcendentalist philosophy on Fuller’s arguments. How does her belief in self-reliance, intellectual growth, and the divine inform her views on women’s rights and societal reform? How does Fuller expand Transcendentalist thought in a feminist light?

How does Fuller’s presentation of intellectual companionship in marriage as ideal compare to contemporary views on gender equality in partnerships? Is her vision still relevant? How does it differ?

Women in the Nineteenth Century is a foundational contribution to First Wave Feminism. What aspects of the text make it influential and stimulating? In what ways does this work influence later waves of feminist thought? Consider how the strengths and limitations of her argument connect to broader feminist discourse.

How does Fuller’s critique of the superficial power granted to women within domestic roles (in the form of vanity, coquetry, or manipulation) reflect her broader vision for women’s intellectual and moral empowerment? How can this critique be applied to analyze modern conceptions of femininity and power?

How does the unconventional structure of Woman in the Nineteenth Century, which lacks traditional chapter or section divisions, impact the readability and impact of her argument? What might this stylistic choice suggest about her understanding of the fluidity of her ideas?

Analyze how Fuller addresses the intersection of gender with other social categories, such as race and class, in her advocacy for gender equality and discussion of American society’s hypocrisy. What are the strengths of her arguments in this regard? What are the weaknesses? Consider the comparison of women to enslaved individuals as one example to prompt your analysis.

Fuller often emphasizes women’s spiritual and moral superiority to men, which can be seen as an essentialist view of gender. How does this position both empower and limit her feminist message, especially in comparison to contemporary feminist thought? Analyze specific examples from the text to support your answer.