I was just wondering how I could interpret this part of Mary Hays writing:

Of all bondage mental bondage is surely the most fatal, the absurd depotism which has hitherto with more than gothic barbarity, enslaved the female mind the enervating and degrading system of manners by which the understandings of women have been chained down to frivolty and trifles.

Maya Angelou: "I know why the caged bird sings."


Les

I don't know what I may seem to others, but, as to myself, I seem to have been only as a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me." - Sir Isaac Newton .

The difference between Newton and the females Mary Hays wrote about is that he chose which pebbles to play with - the women were made to play only with the ones designated and in the manner prescribed.



Post Edited (02-24-05 03:46)

The idea that mental bondage is the worse makes me think of how if one is in an unhappy condition and knows it, then he/she is unhappy. However, if one doesn't know any better, then they cannot be happy.

Of all bondage mental bondage is surely the most fatal ...

Slaves, earlier political prisoners in Siberia, Jews in Dachau, those being beheaded in the Middle East, (some) women in India or (some) Islamic countries, and/or many others might possibly disagree.

Mary Hays should stop whining and get busy being more assertive.

We're in chains, but we don't know it, having put them on ourselves.
As an example, think of how people in abusive relationships often stay in those relationships, even though they aren't happy.

pam

Anyone see the Drew Berrymore movie, "Riding in Cars With Boys"? She got pregnant young and had to forego college to marry a loser and move into government housing. She has a breakdown and yells how she wishes she were stupid so she didn't know any better and could be happy with her life.

Mary Hays should stop whining and get busy being more assertive

I think she stopped whining some time ago, Hugh - she died in 1843!

[www.xs4all.nl]

Curses, foiled again.