Introduction
One of the first public men in England to address inequality between the sexes was Daniel Defoe (1660-1731), author of ‘Moll Flanders’. Defoe wanted a ‘female academy’ set up to educate women to their full potential, and argued that it was in every man’s interest.
AND herein it is that I take upon me to make such a bold assertion, That all the world are mistaken in their practice about women. For I cannot think that God Almighty ever made them so delicate, so glorious creatures; and furnished them with such charms, so agreeable and so delightful to mankind; with souls capable of the same accomplishments with men: and all, to be only Stewards of our Houses, Cooks, and Slaves.
Not that I am for exalting the female government* in the least: but, in short, I would have men take women for companions, and educate them to be fit for it. A woman of sense and breeding will scorn as much to encroach upon the prerogative of man,* as a man of sense will scorn to oppress the weakness of the woman. But if the women’s souls were refined and improved by teaching, that word would be lost. To say, the weakness of the sex, as to judgement, would be nonsense; for ignorance and folly would be no more to be found among women than men.
Abridged
That is, for matriarchy. Defoe does not want to exchange the roles of women and men, but to turn master and servant into mutual companions.
See Ephesians 5:22-33.
Précis
Back in the late seventeenth century, essayist Daniel Defoe argued in favour of providing women with an education the equal of that given to men. He said that God had made women the equal of men in every important respect, and that any inferiority would be removed, and every charm enhanced, if they were encouraged to realise their potential. (59 / 60 words)
Back in the late seventeenth century, essayist Daniel Defoe argued in favour of providing women with an education the equal of that given to men. He said that God had made women the equal of men in every important respect, and that any inferiority would be removed, and every charm enhanced, if they were encouraged to realise their potential.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, besides, just, may, must, or, until, whereas.
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Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Cannot. Folly. Same.
2 Bold. Female. They.
3 Found. Make. Our.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Add Vowels Find in Think and Speak
Make words by adding vowels to each group of consonants below. You may add as many vowels as you like before, between or after the consonants, but you may not add any consonants or change the order of those you have been given. See if you can beat our target of common words.
pss (6+6)
pass. pauses. poises. poses. posse. puss.
apses. opuses. passe. pesos. posies. poss.
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