A Comparison of Some Reflections Upon Marriage and Letter to Lady Bute

A similar theme is shared between Mary Astell's "Some Reflections Upon Marriage" and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu's "Letter to Lady Bute." The two women, who were friends, held the opinion that a woman is equally capable as a man in the way of reason and mental capacity. Both agree that women ought to be well educated, and that they have equal ability as men to do so, and to use said education. However, Mary Astell had a stronger conviction in regard to this opinion than Lady Mary Wortley Montagu; so much so that it is reflected in the public nature of her work and in the way she lived her life.

Both of the aforementioned pieces that reflect this opinion are very personal. "Some Reflections Upon Marriage" was written by Mary Astell when she was in quite an angry state; "Letter to Lady Bute" was a personal letter to the daughter of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu.

The women viewed marriage similarly but quite differently. Mary Astell never married; she lived with, and by the monetary support, of other women. In fact, her views of marriage are clearly outlined in "Some Reflections Upon Marriage:"

"Let us see then what is their part, what must they do to make the matrimonial yoke tolerable to themselves as well as pleasing to their lords and masters?" (2428)

This statement demonstrates that Mary Astell clearly sees marriage, for a woman, comparable to the life of a beast of burden, living only to perform her duties to her owner, her husband. After all, the only education offered a woman was, indeed, training for the post. The schools were scarce, but should a woman have the opportunity to attend one, she'd be educated in the way of music, dancing, embroidery, and singing.