Chapter 1 centers on the “universal opinion” Mill has determined to unravel. Mill recognizes that the key to persuading his opposition rests on his ability to undermine this assumption that patriarchy represents a “natural” hierarchy between the sexes.Įach chapter focuses on a specific aspect of women’s oppression. They must be very fortunate as well as unusually capable if they obtain a hearing at all” (3). As Mill states, “In every respect the burthen is hard on those who attack an almost universal opinion. Mill acknowledges that his greatest opposition is not logic or reason, but a “universal opinion” Western culture holds regarding the supposed innate inferiority of women. Mill begins with his thesis statement: The oppression of women prevents societal progress, and the solution is to create laws and policies that promote gender equality.
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