A Serious Proposal to the LadiesMary Astell’s A Serious Proposal to the Ladies is one of the most important and neglected works advocating the establishment of women’s academies. Its reception was so controversial that Astell responded with a lengthy sequel, also in this volume. The cause of great notoriety, Astell’s Proposal was imitated by Defoe in his “An Academy for Women,” parodied in the Tatler, satirized on the stage, plagiarized by Bishop Berkeley, and later mocked by Gilbert and Sullivan in Princess Ida. |
Contents
| 7 | |
| 9 | |
A Brief Chronology | 43 |
A Note on the Text | 47 |
A Serious Proposal to the Ladies | 49 |
Judith Drake An Essay in Defence of the Female Sex 1696 | 237 |
Daniel Defoe An Essay upon Projects 1697 | 267 |
From The Tatler no 32 June 23 1709 | 277 |
From The Tatler no 63 September 3 1709 | 287 |
Select Bibliography | 291 |
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able advantage already appears argued argument Astell Astell’s Beauty become believe better Body Books Business Calling Capacity cause Christian clear Concerning consider Conversation Creatures Custom deny desire direct Discourse distinction Divine Education endeavour English Essay Evidence excellent express false give greatest Happiness hearts hope Human Idea Ignorance improve instruction John Judgment keep Knowledge Ladies language Learning least less live Locke Locke’s London Love manner matter mean Mind Nature necessary Neighbours never Note Object observe Opinion particular Passions Perfection perhaps Person Pleasure Power present pretend Principles proper published question Reason refers Reflections Religion Rule Sense Serious Proposal shou’d Soul speak Subject suppose Temper things thought tion true truly Truth Understanding Vertue wise Woman Women World wou’d