“… we shall all be better, I believe, for completing man’s ideal of religion and morals by that of a woman, and learning to ass to his Law of Justice her Law of Love, and to his faith in God’s fatherly care, her faith in His motherly tenderness– that blessed lesson forgotten too long: that “as a woman hath compassion on the son of her womb, even so, the Lord hath pity on us all!'”

The Education Act of 1870 was a massive step in the right direction for education. It provided funded schools for children and they were not forced to participate in religious activities. Yet, there was no discussion of women’s education, which leads us to Cobbes essay. I picked this quote because I think she was on to something when she discusses the benefits of what an educated woman could do. Being educated does not make you any less of a “woman”, but can allow for a new perspective on matters. If we have taught women to be such extraordinary mothers and philanthropists just imagine what they could do with a greater understanding. Cobbe also uses this tone of humor in a way when she discusses some of these topics. She pokes fun at the segregation happening between men and women. Not wanting to educate a woman because it is for men is like saying a woman can’t eat beef because that is what men eat. In her conclusion, she invites everyone to set aside their prejudices and preconceived biases and realize that it is acceptable for people to be multifaceted human beings. We are able to change and see things from other perspectives, even if that is not how it always has been. There is much to say about what a woman should be and not enough about what a woman could be.

Juliet had received some of her education through university classes and learned a skill that would be beneficial to her in the workplace. If a woman was not able to gain some education and had no man to rely on for income and security what welfare would be provided for her?