Chapter 4 Summary

She cites Lady Winchilsea from the year 1661 who was noble by both birth and marriage but was childless and wrote poetry. Much of her work expresses indignation and bitterness at the treatment, the sneers and the laughter she was subjected to because, as a woman, she dared write poetry. She also writes about a Margaret of Newcastle, a Duchess, also childless. In addition, in her works there is the same outburst of rage, including the following lines: "Women live like Bats or Owls, labour like Beasts, and die like Worms . . . "

She also mentions Dorothy Osborne, who published a short book of letters that she wrote while sitting by her father's sickbed. The letters display poetic talent that was never realized. She also cites Aphra Behn, a middle-class widow forced to make a living for herself. Her writing demonstrates a freedom of mind not...