"The Great Lawsuit" Blog

"The Great Lawsuit" by Margaret Fuller proved to be an intriguing piece, even in today's age. The main ideas that presided in the text were bold exclamations for the times. Fuller fought on behalf of women, that they be treated as equals to men. She did not come right out and exclaim this, but she rather constructed this idea with an array of well-crafted paragraphs that worked together to produce the final product-- a profound argument for women's rights. Countless instances distanced themselves from others as greater argumentative tools in the text.
The end of the first paragraph brings forth an interesting scenario when the writing reads, "But if woman be,
indeed, the weaker party, she ought to have legal protection, which would make such oppression impossible." This is an extremely valid idea when the topic is logically approached. Men tend to attain stronger physiques than women may, but this doesn't mean that the two can't have tools that even the playing field. Those "tools" in this instance would be the legal protection that Fuller speaks of in the text. This appears necessary because oppression could easily be forced upon women if they haven't any defense at their expense. Fuller creates a plausible idea with this use of words, but she slyly brings forth a call to action in the second paragraph. This is so when confronting the last sentence in the paragraph that states, "Knowing this, can we wonder that many reformers think that measures are not likely to be taken in behalf of women, unless their wishes could be publicly represented by women!" Before this statement Fuller explains the relationship most men have with women in their lives. She concludes that the only way real change will accumulate is if determined women lead the movement. This arises as a pivotal point the writing because it serves as starting point for a process that Fuller hopes will arrive sooner than later. Fuller's call to action here surely inspired women similar to her with a drive for change, but not the men of the world and legislators. This is apparent from the last line in the third to last paragraph that reads, " The lover, the poet, the artist, are likely to view her nobly. The father and the philosopher have some chance of liberality; the man of the
world, the legislator for expediency, none." An interesting light to put society under, but it does serve its purpose in terms of making Fuller look like the "good guy." In America today and presumably back then, there is a widespread distaste for legislators and many of those attached to the category of men of the world. By making it clear that these are the people who oppose equality, she creates a sense that the "bad guys" are those stalling equality. Fuller uses several techniques in her writing here, but by shining the light differently on this topic, an alternative view is readily created in an easily likable sense.
Fuller approaches this delicate topic exceedingly well considering the circumstances of her time. She describes and explains her views rather than attacking the customs immediately. This is what makes this piece of literature so moving and relative in time that admitted a great divide among sexes.