In 1793, during Mary Wollstonecraft's fight for women's equailty, she met a handsome young lad by the name of Gilbert Imlay. Being physically attracted to Imlay, Wollstonecraft made her interest in him known. Unlike many women during the 18th Century, Wollstonecraft did not hide her feelings for the opposite sex neither did she find having sexual thoughts or desires to be something that men only possessed. According to Wollstonecraft, women should have equal rights and privileges like men.

Those rights included the right to love whom you desired. To have the freedom and control over your sexuality, without allowing someone to dictate when and where a woman should particiapate in physical relationships. Imlay and Wollstonecraft's relationship was based upon free love. They did not allow society to control their relationship. As a result, Wollstonecraft gave birth to their baby daughter Fanny.

However, things began to fall apart in their relationship. Imlay and Wollstonecraft never married and Wollstonecraft later learned that Imlay had a mistress. That discovery broke the heart of Wollstonecraft, which made her lack in her struggle for equality. Not only did she delay her fight for women's rights, but it made her mentally depressed.

There is a letter that Wollstonecraft wrote to Imlay in the early stage of their relationship and another letter that confirmed their separation as lovers.


August 1793

To Gilbert Imlay,

I obey an emotion of my heart, which made me think of wishing thee, my love, goodnight! before I go to rest, with more tenderness that I can to-morrow, when writing a hasty line or two under Colonel-'s eyes. You can imagine with what pleasure I antiicipate the day when we are to begin almost to live together; and you would smile to hear how many plans of employment I have in my head, now that I am confident my heart has found peace in your bosom. Cherish me with that dignified tenderness, which I have only found in you; and your own dear girl will try to keep under a quickness of feeling, that has sometimes given you pain-Yes, I will be good, that I may deserve to be happy; and whilst you to love me, I cannot again fall into the miserable state which rendered life a burden almost too heavy too burden.

But good-night!-God bless you! Sterne says, that is equal to a kiss yet-I would rather give you the kiss into the bargain, glowing with gratitude to Heaven and affection to you. I like the word affection, because it signifies something habitual; and we are soon to meet, to try whether we have mind enough to keep our hearts warm.

Mary

October 10, 1795

To Gilbert Imlay,

I write you now on my knees; imploring you to send my child and the maid to Paris, to be consigned to the care of Madam. Should they be removed can give their direction.

Let the maid have my clothes, without distinction. Pray pay the cook her wages, and do not mention the confession which I forced from her-a little sooner or later is of no consequence. Nothing but my extreme stupidity could have rendered me blind so long. Yet, whilst you assured me that you had no attachment, I thought we might still have lived together.

I shall make no comments on your conduct; or any appeal to the world. Let my wrongs sleep with me! Soon, very soon, shall I be at peace. When you receive this, my burning head will be cold. I would encounter a thousand deaths, rather than a night like the last. Your treatment has thrown my mind into a state of chaos; yet I am serene.

I go find comfort, and my only fear is, that my poor body will be insulted by an endeavour to recall my hated existence. But I shall plunge into the Thames where there is the least chance of my being snatched from the death I seek.

God bless you! May I never know by experience what you have made me endure. Should your sensibility ever awake, remorse will find its way to your heart; and, in the midst of business and sensual pleasures, I shall appear before you, the victim of your deviation from rectitude.

Mary