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About this quote

What does it mean?
Defoe claims denying education to women is barbaric and argues they would behave better if educated equally.
In plain terms
Denying women education is barbaric; they would be better if taught.
What can you take from it?
Education should be equal to improve behavior.

Where it applies

  • educational reform
  • gender debate
  • social criticism

Putting it to work

  • advocating equality
  • critiquing norms
  • educational reform

Questions to consider

  • How does education shape behavior?
  • Why limit education?

Another view

The claim assumes education alone fixes behavior.

More from Daniel Defoe

  1. My man Friday.

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  2. The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond; and must be polished, or the lustre of it will never appear. And 'tis manifest, that as the rational soul …

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  3. One day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man's naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen on t…

    Permalink to quote #17

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