Mary - review

Author: Mary Wollstonecraft
Title: Mary, a fiction
Original publisher: Joseph Johnson
Released: 1788

This short novella was initially thought of as extremely controversial when it was published in 1788, so- "not unlike many noble forms of expression" I hear you say. Yes, you would be right, people have always had a tendancy to suffocate the black sheep, however simple humanity would ultimately ensure that the aims of this book would ultimately win out over its critics. The basic concept of 'Mary' was something that needed voicing in Britain, and Mary Wollstonecraft, mother of Mary Shelly ('Frankenstein') was clearly the right person to do that in her time. That concept was the simple, truthful assertion that women are more than just objects to be married off, that women have something more to offer society.

Wollstonecraft gets this through to us not by lecturing from some alienated radical femenist perspective, but rather by writing an almost autobiographical, vulnerable diary-like novella that simply shows the truth as 'Mary', the main character, perceives it. This is what makes the contents of the novel so indisputable- it's sincerity. The work itself cannot be said to be preaching, calculated or insincere, it is the truth as we are told it, we can either agree or disagree with the character, but we can't doubt what has happened to her, and we can't deny the natural feelings she has because of her troubled past. 'Mary' pours out with honesty, and the manner in which the author releases all of the emotional pain and torment in this book is consistent with the methods in which all repressed groups have at one time or another vented their true feelings.

This story generally seems to be looked at and studied thesedays from a sexual/femenist perspective, although anyone reading this novel without having those notions already planted into their heads will probably be able to appreciate it more for what I believe it truly is, an outpouring of emotion from a deeply passionate, spiritual young woman who longs to find her place in the world. It is clear, also, from the childhood depictions of Mary wandering through nature, staring at clouds, reading books and composing songs that she sings to herself, that she is not only a very sharp young woman, but also very religious too. This is evidenced in endless passages throughout the work, and culminates best in the very final sentence, which so perfectly describes Mary's ultimate dillemma. I won't ruin it for you, however here as a younger girl we get one of the seemingly endless and rewarding glimpses into her personality-

"She thought that only an infinite being could fill the human soul, and that when other objects were followed as a means of happiness, the delusion led to misery, the consequence of disapointment. Under the influence of ardent affections, how often has she forgot this conviction, and as often returned to it again, when it struck her with redoubled force."

I don't know about you, but as a Muslim, and here for Wollstonecraft- writing as a Christian, I think many religious people the world over will be able to relate to that train of thought. The fact that true fulfilment of our souls only comes from an 'infinite being' i.e. God, can all too often be overshadowed when we become carried away with the worldy things, or as she so delicately puts it, when we are 'under the influence of ardent affections'.

The character herself however never really does fall victim to worldly desires. In fact despite her obvious dislike for traditional institutions like marriage (something perfectly natural given the oppressive ways in which women were 'married' at the time) she does spend most of the story nurturing, caring- perhaps all things that we traditionally tend to associate with females. All of her kindness and selflessness is so perfectly balanced with her sharp intellect and moral uprightness, and so it makes her completely realistic, and as a result uncategorisable. This is autibiographical. If a women were, as Mary's mother in this novel, merely following- in a zombie-like fashion- the role expected of her, without showing any real care or passion, I would be far less willing to sympathise, however it is Marys sense of individuality, and strength that makes her almost constant caring and helping seem so admirable, engaging and ultimately real.

Mary is a revelation in honesty, and it's attention to detail in human interactions is what makes it such an obvious classic. I would consider it a must-read for any young person, male or female, who wants to know what upright human beings have to go through. No one may care about you, you may be brushed aside merely because of your sex, [race or class] and the world may consider you unimportant, however the truth of the matter is, good people will always be good people, regardless of how they are perceived. Whilst their lives may be infinitely more difficult and testing as a result of this goodness they will still go about doing the 'right thing' no matter what they may be put through as a result. Pick it up and experience it.

Y.Misdaq aka Yoshi, 5th Feb 2004