This emphasizes that a woman's true potential and contribution should be recognized based on her inherent spirit and individuality, not on societal expectations of her gender. It advocates for seeing women as complete human beings with unique qualities, transcending prescribed roles.
Quote by Margaret Fuller: “What woman needs is not as a woman to act, but as a soul.”
What woman needs is not as a woman to act, but as a soul.
Insight
Historical Context
This is a core argument in 'Woman in the Nineteenth Century,' where Fuller advocated for women's full self-development and intellectual freedom. She believed women should not be confined by gender stereotypes but allowed to express their full humanity.
Verify source / Learn moreAbout the Author
American journalist, critic, and feminist whose 1845 book Woman in the Nineteenth Century was a foundational text of American feminism. She was the first female foreign correspondent for an American newspaper, reporting from Italy on the 1848 revolutions for the New York Tribune.
View all quotes by Margaret Fuller