Mary Wollstonecraft often dwelled upon the role of women in society, especially during the Enlightenment. Mary mostly criticized the male-dominated society, or any aspects in which men are advantaged when compared to women. She also critiqued Rousseau's model for politics, in which he did not include women as participants in politics. Mary Wollstonecraft would also be considered controversial today, for, she criticized women as weak because they accept their own slavery and beg for food instead of freedom and equality. Mary Wollstonecraft's' most famous work, A Vindication of the Rights of Women is considered one of the most influential pieces in the field of feminist political philosophy. Her work starts off as an assumption that the rights of human kind were given by god - concept which she understands through reason - , that god made all things right, and that man is the cause behind all evil. Throughout her work, she expressed her hope for women to become independent beings, whose logic and thinking came from reasoning. Wollstonecraft also wished for women to understand their real place in society. She also aspired for women to become beings who understand their true worth not for their appearance, but for their independence and their knowledge. In conclusion, she also wanted women to become educated, have a mind full of knowledge and bodies trained to become good components in both their familiar, social and political lives.
Regarding education, she states, “Into this error men have, probably, been led by viewing education in a false light; not considering it as the first step to form a being advancing gradually towards perfection; but only as a preparation for life.”