57 pages • 1 hour read
Mary WollstonecraftMaria: or, The Wrongs of Woman
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1798A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Maria: or, The Wrongs of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft tells the story of Maria, who is forcefully imprisoned in an asylum by her husband, George Venables. She befriends Jemima, who works at the asylum, and begins corresponding with fellow inmate Henry Darnford. As Maria and Henry develop a romantic relationship, Jemima shares her own troubled past. The trio eventually plan their escape and confront legal battles and personal struggles as they seek freedom and justice. The book includes accounts of domestic violence, sexual assault, abortion, and suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Reviews of Mary Wollstonecraft's Maria: or, The Wrongs of Woman describe it as a pioneering feminist work that critiques societal constraints on women. Readers appreciate its emotional depth and advocacy for women's rights. However, some find its unfinished state and the narrative's occasional melodrama detract from its overall impact. Overall, the novel is praised for its bold themes and historical significance.
Who Should Read Maria: or, The Wrongs of Woman?
Readers who would enjoy Maria: or, The Wrongs of Woman are likely interested in feminist literature, historical perspectives on women's rights, and gothic fiction. Fans of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Wollstonecraft herself will appreciate its themes of female agency and social critique.