Lady Mary Chudleigh (1656-1710), an English poet and feminist essayist, challenged traditional gender roles ahead of her time. Despite limited formal education, she was an avid reader of theology, science, and philosophy.
Her prominent poem “To the Ladies” critiqued oppressive marriages. Mary’s writings advocated women’s education and self-worth. She was part of an intellectual circle, and her feminist essays are still relevant today.
‘To the Ladies’ by Lady Mary Chudleigh talks about how marriage rids the woman of her person and attaches her importance to the one she is married to.
Wife and servant are the same,
But only differ in the name:
For when that fatal knot is tied,
Which nothing, nothing can divide:
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