Release date is 2012-04-18

E-text prepared by Colin Bell, Sue Fleming, Joseph Cooper,

"The Levellers" by Anonymous is a dialogue-driven pamphlet published in the mid-18th century that addresses the social implications of matrimony. Set against a backdrop of rising social awareness and emerging feminist thought, this work presents a conversation between two young women, Politica and Sophia, as they contemplate the institution of marriage, the social obligations tied to it, and the economic pressures that influence marital choices during that period. The central dialogue revolves around the inequalities and societal expectations regarding marriage, wealth, and gender roles. Politica and Sophia critique the way marriages are often transactional, favoring monetary gains over emotional or intellectual compatibility. They entertain ideas such as enforcing a law to encourage marriage among men by taxing bachelors and suggest that the qualities of individuals should hold more importance than their wealth in such unions. Their discussions reflect a deeper concern for societal stability through procreation and the apparent neglect of moral character in marital arrangements, platforming ideas about duty to the state and community in producing heirs. Through analogy and humorous narrative, "The Levellers" critiques the absurdities and inequities of matrimony while advocating for a more equitable approach to marriage that aligns with natural laws and virtue. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Original publication data not identified