Feminist works of literature before the 19th century
Early 1400s
Joan of Arc is a hero of France and now a common literary motif in female protagonists. She had received divine inspiration to fight for France and she had done so well. She was celebrated by Christine de Pizan (who's work also included "the Book of the City of Ladies" and "the Treasure of the City of Ladies," which can also be deemed as prominent early forms of feminist literature) in her work the Tale of Joan of Arc (1429). She carried on the legacy of a strong empowered commoner who rose to be a heroine of France. Although not necessarily a novel or poem, Joan stands out to be one of the first Inspirations for feminist works of art. As a result of her fame, women could start to be recognized as more than subjects to man: or so it would seem.
Joan of Arc is a hero of France and now a common literary motif in female protagonists. She had received divine inspiration to fight for France and she had done so well. She was celebrated by Christine de Pizan (who's work also included "the Book of the City of Ladies" and "the Treasure of the City of Ladies," which can also be deemed as prominent early forms of feminist literature) in her work the Tale of Joan of Arc (1429). She carried on the legacy of a strong empowered commoner who rose to be a heroine of France. Although not necessarily a novel or poem, Joan stands out to be one of the first Inspirations for feminist works of art. As a result of her fame, women could start to be recognized as more than subjects to man: or so it would seem.
1697
In this story deemed novel by the author a woman by the name of Bellamora goes to London in search of a Madame Brightly, whom to my interpretation is her cousin. Bellamora wishes to stay with her cousin during the final month of her illegitimate pregnancy. Pregnancy caused by presumably rape as Bellamora later confesses to a gentlewoman taking care of her. Madame Brightly is not found however Bellamora hears rumors that a lady of that description had stayed a brothel nearby. The gentlewoman taking care of her had often alluded to aborting the child as to not slander a life with a child out of wedlock. The gentlewoman sends for her presumed rapist who shows hours before labor to ask Bellamora to marry him so the child is not out of wedlock. Regarding the power that men had over women in the 17th century this story describes the horrible oppression faced as a woman. After being taken advantage of and raped the protagonist comes to bear her child only to have her presumed rapist be by her side again with nothing she can do but agree to marry him as she can't own estate just as a result of her biological sex.
In this story deemed novel by the author a woman by the name of Bellamora goes to London in search of a Madame Brightly, whom to my interpretation is her cousin. Bellamora wishes to stay with her cousin during the final month of her illegitimate pregnancy. Pregnancy caused by presumably rape as Bellamora later confesses to a gentlewoman taking care of her. Madame Brightly is not found however Bellamora hears rumors that a lady of that description had stayed a brothel nearby. The gentlewoman taking care of her had often alluded to aborting the child as to not slander a life with a child out of wedlock. The gentlewoman sends for her presumed rapist who shows hours before labor to ask Bellamora to marry him so the child is not out of wedlock. Regarding the power that men had over women in the 17th century this story describes the horrible oppression faced as a woman. After being taken advantage of and raped the protagonist comes to bear her child only to have her presumed rapist be by her side again with nothing she can do but agree to marry him as she can't own estate just as a result of her biological sex.
Although there is much more from the 18th century most of it deals with the same themes as The Adventures of the Black Lady, and The Lucky Mistake, in that it entails the subjection of women to men and a rise of activists seeking rights had emerged. Mary Wollstonecraft a proto-feminist wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman discussing the advancements of women, mostly on educating women as they could contribute to society and could be more than property to be traded in marriage, they are human beings and should have access to the same rights as men.