The essence of Mary's views on the
education of everyone, but particularly of women, stems from a desire
to see each individual reach their fullest potential. "I wish to see
women neither as heroines nor brutes; but reasonable creatures."
(4)
The ideas of educational reform permeate her Vindication of the Rights of Women. Many of her assertions are in direct response to Rousseau's suggestions for education as espoused in Emile. This dichotomy between their points of view has been influencing educational systems for the past 200 years.