Woman in the Nineteenth Century

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1999

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Preface-Page 36

Pages 36-62

Pages 62-101

Pages 101-170

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Themes

Gender Equality and Human Potential

Content Warning: This guide section discusses enslavement.

Fuller advocated for a reimagining of gender roles, asserting that true human potential cannot be achieved until men and women are regarded as equal partners. Fuller challenges the traditional power dynamics between the sexes, arguing that both genders are integral to the realization of a more just and enlightened society. In her view, gender equality is not merely a question of political rights but also a fundamental necessity for the full development of humanity’s potential.

Fuller’s assertion in the Preface—“By Man I mean both man and woman: these are two halves of one thought. […] I believe that the development of one cannot be affected without that of the other” (vi)—is central to her argument. She emphasizes that men and women are interconnected, representing complementary aspects of human experience. For Fuller, both genders must progress together in mutual understanding and respect. This holistic view of human potential highlights her belief that societal growth is stunted when it either suppresses or denies the opportunity for either gender to fully develop. Fuller does not see men and women as inherently different in ability or intellect but rather as equally capable beings whose growth is interdependent. This argument serves to dismantle the notion that men should be dominant in society while women remain confined to domestic roles.

In addition to her call for equality, Fuller addresses the importance of women embracing their own strengths and unique qualities. She writes, “Were they free, were they wise fully to develop the strength and beauty of a woman, they would never wish to be men, or man-like” (55). Fuller advocates for a form of liberation that allows women to flourish on their own terms rather than seeking to emulate male qualities. Her point is not that women should strive for the same positions of power men traditionally hold but that they should have the freedom to develop their own potential in ways that align with their unique capacities. This perspective reflects her belief that gender equality does not mean uniformity but rather the recognition of each individual’s unique contributions to society.

Fuller’s conception of gender equality ties to her belief in human potential. She envisions a world in which men and women work together, each contributing their strengths to the betterment of society as a whole. This vision challenges the rigid, hierarchal structures of her time, proposing instead a more fluid and interconnected approach to human development. Fuller’s idea of equality is not solely focused on political rights or legal reforms but is rooted in the moral and spiritual growth of individuals and society. By advocating for the full development of both genders, she presents a framework for a more balanced and harmonious world where collaboration and mutual respect realize human potential.

The Hypocrisy of Freedom in America

Fuller critiques the glaring contradictions between America’s professed ideals of freedom and equality and the reality of its treatment of oppressed people, including women and enslaved people. Fuller, deeply influenced by the democratic principles of her time, argues that the nation’s systemic inequalities undercut its claim to uphold liberty. She draws attention to the hypocrisy of a country that celebrates freedom while continuing to oppress vast portions of its population.

Fuller’s pointed remark, “though freedom and equality have been proclaimed only to leave room for a monstrous display of slave-dealing and slave-keeping […] still it is not in vain that the verbal statement has been made, “‘All men are born free and equal’” (19-20), exposes the dissonance between America’s founding ideals and its practices. While the Declaration of Independence boldly declares the inherent freedom and equality of all men, Fuller observes that the country does not apply this principle universally. Instead, it serves as a smokescreen for continuing injustices, such as enslavement. By invoking the phrase “All men are born free and equal,” Fuller both critiques its exclusionary application and expresses hope that the ideal itself can become a foundation for meaningful change.

Fuller draws a provocative parallel between the condition of women and enslaved people, writing, “In slavery, acknowledged slavery, women are on par with men. Each is a work-tool, an article of property, no more!” (56). Here, Fuller argues that in systems of oppression, both men and women are reduced to objects, stripped of their humanity, and treated solely as tools for labor. This analogy underscores the shared experiences of subjugation, where individuals are denied autonomy and reduced to mere property. While Fuller’s comparison between the conditions of women and enslaved people highlights the broader injustices both groups face, there are limitations to this analogy. Enslaved individuals faced dehumanization and violence on a scale that was unparalleled in both physical and systematic brutality, and equating the two experiences risks oversimplifying the profound suffering of the enslaved. This comparison fails to account for the vastly different experiences between enslaved individuals and women, particularly white women like Fuller, in 19th-century America.

However, this critique of American hypocrisy goes beyond surface-level observation and taps into a deeper moral argument: that a society built on injustice cannot truly be free. The Hypocrisy of Freedom in America is not only a failure of government policy but also a failure of the nation’s conscience. Fuller thus intertwines her calls for women’s rights with a broader call for the nation to live up to its foundational ideals, extending freedom and equality to all, regardless of gender or race.

Moral and Spiritual Progress Through Individual Growth

Individual growth, Fuller asserts, is not only crucial to personal fulfillment but also to the moral and spiritual advancement of society. She argues that true progress occurs through the development of the mind, spirit, and character of each person and that collective progress hinges on this individual evolution. Fuller’s perspective reflects a transcendentalist belief in the potential for self-cultivation and spiritual enlightenment, where personal growth serves as a key pathway to societal reform.

Fuller writes, “Here, as elsewhere, the gain of creation consists always in the growth of individual minds, which live and aspire, as flower bloom and birds sing, in the midst of morasses” (19). This metaphor suggests that, despite the challenges and difficulties of life (represented by the “morasses”), individuals have the innate capacity to grow, just as flowers bloom and birds sing in adverse environments. Fuller sees the process of individual development as natural and essential to human existence, with each mind contributing to the broader project of human progress. This notion places significant emphasis on the importance of self-improvement and intellectual pursuit as cornerstones for achieving both personal and societal transformation.

Fuller’s vision of individual growth ties to a sense of moral and spiritual freedom. She states, “It is for that which is the birthright of every being capable to receive it—the freedom, the religious, the intelligent freedom of the universe” (55). Fuller calls for a kind of freedom that goes beyond physical or political liberation; she advocates for universal freedom rooted in intelligence, spirituality, and moral agency. This form of freedom is intrinsic to all beings, and Fuller suggests that it is the key to unlocking human potential. The emphasis on “religious” and “intelligent” freedom implies a connection between one’s spiritual journey and intellectual development, where moral clarity and personal growth are intertwined.

The theme of Moral and Spiritual Progress through individual growth is central to Fuller’s feminist argument. She insists that women, like men, must be granted the space and opportunity to cultivate their minds and spirits. Denying women this right not only impedes their personal growth but also halts societal advancement. Fuller’s Transcendentalist roots shine through in her conviction that the development of the individual is integral to achieving collective moral progress. By advocating for intellectual and spiritual freedom, she seeks to liberate both women and men from societal constraints, enabling them to fully realize their potential as moral agents.