I believe Mary Wollstonecraft is writing this letter to M. Talleyrand Perigord a legislator, is an appeal for women’s education and equal standing to men in society and politics. Wollstonecraft mentions on pg#2, para #3, a comment by Perigord and feels she may have a sympathetic ear. He mentions of the exclusion of half the race “women” as an “abstract principle”. Wollstonecraft is outside Perigord’s discourse community. It is he who has the influence and she is appealing to him to use his authority to effect a change.

Quote 1: “Unless they understand it – unless their morals are based on the same immutable principles as those of man – no authority can make them act virtuously.

This is an interesting strategy. Wollstonecraft is commenting on the man and woman relationship. She is describing that the lack of mutual understanding of the morays and beliefs of society, will degrade the relationship between the two. It is persuasive because she describes that it can destroy the fabric of a family. The couple treat each other morally deprived by disrespectful actions or infidelity. This could create a concern over the general welfare of the society.

Quote 2: “If women aren’t permitted to enjoy legitimate rights, they will seek illicit privileges in ways that make both men and women vicious”.

Wollstonecraft uses strong words in this quote. It is part of her idea that women treated unfairly will seek revenge. And in turn men will respond by counter action, neither being beneficial to the relationship. Her idea of equality with mutual understanding, creates relationships that will be strong between partners who are alike, legally and intellectually equal. This establishes a strong family and a stable home. The idea is very appealing if there is to be witnessed many acts of debauchery daily. Her letter is has many sexual references, and she coins the term “social intercourse”, and how in France it has gone awry. It is an attempt to convince one morally upright legislator to attempt to address the issue. Perhaps he can be persuaded to consider Wollstonecraft’s hypothesis.