Maria Edgeworth was an Anglo-Irish writer of children's stories and novels of Irish life. She was an early pioneer for women's rhetoric and feminist rhetoric before the word "feminism" was ever used. She is often compared to Jane Austen, who was also writing around the same time as Edgeworth. Her work "An Essay on the Noble Science of Self-Justification" is one of her most noteworthy essays, a satire commentary on gender roles and social codes of the late Enlightenment period.
Edgeworth's "An Essay on the Noble Science of Self-Justification" can be read from different levels. On the surface, it reads as a whimsical instruction guide on how to undermine "the common enemy, a husband" but may also be used on "fathers, brothers, and female friends." However, once revealed to be a satire, it becomes a commentary on women's treatment in society, men's approach to rhetoric, and the relation of power at the time.
Some believe that Edgeworth's essay is a parody, a work making fun of men's views on women's behavior as obedient and quiet wives. However, it is a better classification of being satire because it makes social commentary not only for the purpose of entertainment but for education as well. She satirizes how the view of women of this time period is so low, that this strategy works because it does not rely on reason or logic.
"Timid brides, you have, probably, hitherto been addressed
as angels. Prepare for the time when you shall again become mortal. Take the alarm at the first approach of blame;
at the first hint of a
discovery that you are any thing less than infallible: – contradict, debate,
justify, recriminate, rage, weep, swoon, do any thing but yield to conviction."
Women are considered emotional and irrational creatures, so the idea that their approach to turning the tables on their husbands relies on gaslighting, red herring, and tu quoque logical fallacies, makes perfect sense. She writes how women also have the power to use rhetoric to manipulate others around them. It is interesting to read how she recommends women to engage their husbands when they are accused of doing something wrong or being "anything less than infallible."
She recommends that one:
"study the weak part of the character of your enemy – your husband I mean: if he be a man of high spirit, jealous of command, and impatient of control, one who decides for himself, and is little troubled with the insanity of minding what the world says of him, you must proceed with extreme circumspection... harass him with perpetual petty skirmishes: in these, though you gain little at a time, you will gradually weary the patience, and break the spirit of your opponent. "
She also says:
"your husband should merely presume to advert to your manners, to some slight personal habit which might be made more agreeable to him; prove, in the first place, that it is his fault that it is not agreeable to him; ask which is most to blame, "she who ceases to please, or he who ceases to be pleased"
Her use of rhetoric to manipulate the so called enemy satirizes how men use rhetoric in the Enlightenment. During this time, men are using a more scientific approach to rhetoric, breaking it down from a subjective art to an objective science, easier to study and easier to produce. In response, she breaks down how women should use rhetoric to make their husbands question themselves and their opinions, as well as avoid accusations of blame and imperfection. She writes to women as if this essay is a step by step guide to use a husband's weakness against him for her benefit. She is also satirizing how the Belletristic school's emphasis on taste as well as the elocutionists who taught voice as a key part of rhetoric.
Before feminism was coined as a movement, Edgeworth was a rhetorician advocating for women's rights and challenging traditional gender roles, challenging the notion that women should be quiet, modest, and obedient to her husband and the male figures in her life. She takes rhetoric and appropriates the manipulative nature of rhetoric for her own use and agenda.
To read Edgeworth's essay, select here.
Meme made by me :)
Love the meme, Claire, and it really breaks down Edgeworth's approach in a simplistic but accurate way. the Essay on the Noble Science of Self-Justification is an interesting reflection of its time period. It seem like satire is rarely used as a tool to be studied in education, but this essay helps readers understand a lot of the expectations placed on women during this time period.Edgeworth's suggestions in how to use turn around and utilize the societal expectations for woman were quite humorous while also pointing out many of the flaws in that way of thinking.
ReplyDeleteI really like the meme! It definitely helps summarize Edgeworth's Essay on the Noble Science of Self-Justification. This writing was definitely different for its time period because most writings are not about how women should act in a satirizing manner. I enjoyed Edgeworth's writing because it was sarcastic almost and clearly made a point to mock the standing of women and how men thought of women. Edgeworth certainly did have thoughts of her own, and she made them very clear in that Essay.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really interesting observation in your conclusion--that she's advocating using rhetoric to make men question themselves. That really does turn the norms of rhetoric and discourse of the era on its head. This essay really is genius in many ways. One thing I want to point out, too, is that I think there is also value in reading this essay as if it were 100% serious in both content and message. I feel that this reading, when taken seriously, shows the depth to which women felt they must bring themselves to in their effort to be convincing--and I don't think they would be wrong for believing this, based upon context. How can you expect women to behave with reason when you have unreasonably taken their rights away and forced them to surrender much of their agency and freedom of thought? It makes sense, then, that women would find an alternate rhetoric based in emotion and manipulation, because reason and logic were ignored by their husbands and other men in their life simply because of their identity.
ReplyDeleteI wanna start this by saying that I've got nothing but respect for women (or anyone really) who observe the horrific oppression they go through on the reg and decide to just fukin make fun of it. Do husbands assume their wives to be lily livered fools? Then be that when its inconvenient for them. Got'em.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I appreciate how you presented this post as if the reader knew little of the source material. You were spot on with your assumed audience, at least once. You let that reader get in on some of Edgeworth's jokes, like when she says ~"yeah, this guide is for combating your husband, but it can also work on fathers, brothers, and even other women"~. As an aside, I like the distinction between parody and satire. You have good taste.
So, cool post. And, in the immortal words of some guy on the internet, nice meme.
I love the meme!! Your post summarizes and analyzes Edgeworth's points so well. The meme so adds to it. It really reflects the humor that Edgeworth uses throughout her writing. Your distinction between parody and satire is also super important! They seem so often to get mixed up, and I think you explain their differences really well.
ReplyDelete