42. Mary Astell — The First Feminist

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Born a generation before Mary Wollstonecraft, seventeenth-century English philosopher Mary Astell wrote the groundbreaking works A Serious Proposal to the Ladies, her plea and plan for the education of women, and an indictment of early modern marriage called Some Reflections upon Marriage. Her work was praised by contemporaries, including Robinson Crusoe author, Daniel Defoe. In this week’s mini episode, find out more about Astell and why we should all know who she is. 

Discussed in this episode: 

Lost Ladies of Lit Episode 38: The American Guide Series 

Libros Schmibros Lending Library

“How a COVID-era Federal Writers Project Went from Wild Idea to a Proposed Bill” (LA Times)

Mary Wollstonecraft

A Serious Proposal to the Ladies by Mary Astell

Some Reflections Upon Marriage by Mary Astell

Lost Ladies of Lit Episode 34: Anna Komnene — Europe’s First Female Historian

William Sancroft

Letters Concerning the Love of God by Mary Astell and John Norris

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe

René  Descartes

Lady Catherine Jones

Descartes' theory of dualism

John Milton 

Clarissa by Samuel Richardson

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

Radical Vision by Soyica Diggs Colbert

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43. Lorraine Hansberry — A Raisin in the Sun with Dr. Soyica Diggs Colbert

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41. Edith Lewis & Willa Cather with Melissa Homestead