ash reviews and probably more than a little out of sorts, England, as well as other parts of Europe, criticized her for years to come. Wollstonecraft suffered more losses, which only added to her strengthening and growing dislike for the institution of marriage. Her best friend, Fanny Blood, died giving birth to her daughter, which to Mary was a direct result of marriage. Also, at one point during her thirties, Wollstonecraft fell in love with an American businessman, Gilbert Imlay. She had a child by him, whom she named after her beloved friend, Fanny, but Imlay then left her. She thought the pain unbearable, and twice attempted suicide (Ferguson 3-14). The only emotions that she had experienced with marriage, men, and relationships were of heartbreak and pain emotionally and physically. This is certainly reflected in her writing, especially in A Vindication of the Rights of Women, which in part responds to the tyranny men have exercised on women and how it has damaged their views of themselves, their mentality, and their characters (Rood 393).Another issue, perhaps more often discussed in her book, is the idea ofmore education for women. Because of the expectations of women of her time, Wollstonecraft, wanting to leave her abusive household, had only a few choices. She knew she could marry and be emotionally and financially dependent on herhusband, or she could work as a governess, or other low-key career appropriatefor a woman. Thinking back on the hardships suffered by her mother she becamestrongly opposed to marriage. This left her with the sole choice to work as agoverness, of which she said she “by no means like[d] the proposal” (Ferguson 7), but knew there was no other alternative. She believed that education could helpwomen have more choices in life than being a wife or governess. According to A Vindication of the Rights of Women, ignorance is not strong enough to base ...
