Topic > Analysis of “A Religious Retirement” by Mary Astell

In his seventh Oration to Women, Cavendish begins to change his tone once again. She no longer invokes the mimicry of men, but rather the simple joy of being different from him. Now, by referring to her audience as "noble ladies, honorable gentlewomen, and worthy common women" (164), she shows a great change in how she sees herself and the role she plays. Cavendish begins to realize the beauty and difficulties of being a woman, as well as those of being male. Therefore, a woman no longer has to act just like a man would, but rather take pride in her powers, which men can never do