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Godwin on Wollstonecraft (Classic Biographies)

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.... who can resign this cherised sentiment (that it is of the very essence of affection, to seek to perpetuate itself), without suffering some of the sharpest struggles that our nature is capable of enduring.'

William Godwin, author of "The Enquiry Concerning Political Justice" - perhaps the seminal work of anarchist philosophy -wrote the "Memoirs of the Author of 'The Rights of Women'" to manage the sharpest of struggles that he had to endure when his partner - Mary Wollstonecraft died after bearing their one child - a girl who was also called Mary. She was, of course, to become the famous Mary Shelley - author of "Frankenstein", and much else worthy of reading.

Bearing in mind that this memoir was written by a man still suffering the depths of anguish and grief, it is perhaps understandable that Godwin's judgement was impaired when he wrote in the memoir of things not really acceptable for his era. But then, the man was an anarchist - a believer in the sacredness of every individual to behave as they saw fit - not as constrained by laws or social morals and etiquette.

Today we are less sensitive to the human things Godwin reveals of Wollstonecraft - we are less likely to hide things we are taught to be 'ashamed of' - even if they are natural things. Sadly, Godwin's memoir did have a damaging impact on Wollstonecraft's reputation after her death (although it's my guess many men might have been looking for any excuse to denigrate someone championing women's liberation at that time). It's perhaps true that Godwin's own reputation was damaged (although there were probably plenty at the time who were happy to denigrate an anarchist too!).

There are some great sentiments expressed in this memoir, such as my quote in the heading, but I did see Godwin as a little colder than I might have liked. For example, in the grief of Wollstonecraft's death he does not reflect on his daughter and the potential she carried. Perhaps that might in part explain how damaged Shelley was by her mother's death - believing that in some way it was her fault.

Other recommendations:

William Godwin - Enquiry Concerning Political Justice
William Godwin - Caleb Williams
Mary Shelley/Mary Wollstonecraft - Mary/Maria/Matilda
Mary Shelley - Transformation
Mary Shelley - Frankenstein
Percy Shelley - Zastrozzi
George Eliot - Adam Bede