SOURCE: Crafton, Lisa Plummer. “‘Insipid Decency’: Modesty and Female Sexuality in Wollstonecraft.” European Romantic Review 11, no. 3 (summer 2000): 277-99.

In the following essay, Crafton explores Wollstonecraft's attitude toward female sexuality and her condemnation of artificial decorum and propriety in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.

Modesty must be equally cultivated by both sexes or it will ever remain a sickly hothouse plant whilst the affectation of it, the fig leaf borrowed by wantonness, may give a zest to voluptuous enjoyments.

Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

And does my Theotormon seek this hypocrite modesty! This knowing, artful, secret, fearful, cautious, trembling hypocrite. 

William Blake, Visions of the Daughters of Albion

Modest Concealments please a Lover's Eye The Charms you hide, his Fancy will supply. 

Thomas Marriott, Female Conduct

“The finest bosom in nature is not so fine as what imagination forms.” With these words, Dr...