The Speculation of Womanhood

Hester's thoughts visited her such as dared to enter no other dwelling in new england. She often wondered whether it were forill or good that the poor little creature had been born at all. The same dark question often rose into her mind with reference to the whole race of womanhood. As a first step, the whole system of society is to be torn down and built up anew. Then the very nature of the opposite sex must be essentially modified before woman can be allowed to assume what seems a fair and suitable position. Finally, all other difficulties being obviated, woman cannot take advantage of these preliminary reforms until she herself shall have undergone a still mightier change.