As I sit here reading about many women writer, I think to myself, what makes these women step up and take charge? Then I came across a woman named Aphra Behn. Behn was a pioneer of women's literature. Whether it was a play or a poem that she composed, Behn paved the way for women to write back in the 1600's. As I read these brilliant works, I found myself wondering what enabled someone to write them, let alone a woman.
Unlike most women in the 1600's, Aphra Behn had few responsibilities, and a great deal of freedom. In Behn's era women generally did numerous chores around the house. The women did anything that needed to be done around the house besides repairs. By the time a woman finished her chores, they had little time if any for leisure activity or pleasure seeking of their own. By not being restrained by these responsibilities I think Behn had a great advantage of many women writers. Behn's great deal of freedom allowed her to focus on her writing and travel around the world. This freedom and traveling allowed for a different point of view in women's literature. The view, which Behn showed was from an educated, well traveled women, writing solely for money and public acclaim.
Aphra Behn strictly wrote for money and public acclaim. By setting her sights on the business part of writing, Behn was able to bend the truth and throw some imagination into the mix of her writings. This separated Behn from most women writers in her day because, most women wrote for sheer pleasure or "fame" among friends. Behn's ability, freedom to write for money and public acclaim contributed greatly to her public persona, as well as her insight into the world. This is because she wrote plays that appealed to many people far and wide, not just a few. By Behn being able to attract a larger and more diverse crowd, she gained wealth, which gave her the money to travel around. Behn's ability to travel unlike most women is a key contributor to what allowed her to write the way she did.