I just had a few scattered comments with regards to the readings for this week. Overall I found them very intriguing, not only because of the subject matter, but because each writer seemed to have their own individual voice. The message was pretty much the same, but it was delivered in such a variety of ways.

I read Margaret Fell Fox's piece, and although I would not dispute the importance of this piece, it's continual references to the bible left me kind of cold. I did realize that I probably should put myself in the mindframe of those who would have read it at the time, as I'm sure religion would have played a much bigger part in their lives than it does in mine. But overall, this pretty much seemed like a sermon to me.

Margaret Cavendish's "The Blazing World" was a very odd, striking excerpt that definitely caught my attention. I have always had a penchant for tales of strange and unusual worlds, and stories that are a bit askew (I am one of the biggest fans ever of David Lynch), so this tale really pulled me in. I liked how it starts in the real world and gradually it takes us into a fantastical world full of Bear-men, Fox-men, etc. I thought this was definitely from way in left-field, but again, I enjoy that whimsical approach. I also had to wonder...why was the Lady never given a name? I found this lack of identity in the text very interesting. The fanciful descriptions of the cities and the palace reminded me a lot of the Oz books, of which I was always a big fan. The last paragraph also seemed to have a kind of a biblical quality to it, with the Lady engaging in back and forth questioning with the inhabitants of this strange land. The whole "she asked, they answered" motif seemed to be straight from the New Testament.

I also must say that I laughed out loud when the author described certain citizens of this land. I mean, I've seen many science fiction movies, but I can't imagine what a Parrot-man or a Worm-man looks like! :)

I thought Daniel Defoe's text was very interesting as well. I can only imagine that the statements put forth in this text must have caused such an uproar at the time! I can't imagine that there were many males at the time who openly stated things like "we deny the advantages of learning to women". I'm sure many men at the time were quite put off by this upstart's unconventional mode of thought! I liked the line "Women will punish their pretty bodies to get thither". That can still be said to this day.

Anne Kingsmill Finch's poem "The Introduction" was very powerful. She seems to use such a careful selection of potent words. "Such an intruder on the rights of man". Yes, I can certainly imagine that many men at the time did feel that their territory was being intruded upon. I felt that the lines "Debarred from all improvements of the mind, And to be dull, expected and designed" was so sad. Talk about being a lifeless robot with no identity! The last couplet "For groves of Laurel, thou wert never meant; Be dark enough thy shades, and be thou there content" paints such a grim picture of quiet helplessness. Very moving.

Astell's piece seemed to be such an urgent plea for women to take action. I thought the line "Your glass will not do you half so much service as a serious reflection on your own minds" was so witty and to-the-point. Like many of these writers, I think Astell must have been such a brave soul for expressing these things at that time. I also found that there was a distinct undercurrent of fear running throughout this text, especially in lines like "dare to break the enchanted circle that custom has placed us in". I think women back then (and in some cases, some women today) are controlled by such a strong basis of fear. It's so easy to stay in the hurtful cycle and be silent, or you can be brave and break the cycle of abuse.

Egerton's"The Emulation" impressed me as well. The style here is so direct and blunt, which I enjoy. I also liked the witty and insightful mention about how ten celestial females govern all the arts and sciences, yet two male gods are quick to ignore that. :)

Montagu's "A Summary of Lord Lyttelton's Advice To A Lady" was very enjoyable. It's amazing how such a short poem can be so loaded with meaning. This kind of sounded like something you would read on a plaque in some elderly man's den in the 1920's (sadly, I'm sure there are still many such plaques still hanging in the abodes of some men today, although maybe worded in a slightly different manner). In a very clever and concise way, this poem perfectly sums up the male attitude towards women at the time.

Finally, I read Barber's "The Conclusion to a Letter to the Rev. Mr. C.". I found this one interesting because it seemed to turn the tables a little bit. Much of this seemed to be aimed at men, rather than women, especially in lines like "Choose a woman of wisdom, as well as good breeding". I also liked how the final line implied equality between husband and wife: "And find, in your wife, a companion and friend". How true!