These scholars view Thoughts as part of a tradition that adapted older genres to a new message of female empowerment, genres such as advice manuals for women's education, moral satires, and moral and spiritual works by religious Dissenters (those not associated with the Church of England). Wollstonecraft's text resembles conventional conduct books in promoting self-control and submission, traits that were supposed to attract a husband.
These researchers see Thoughts as part of a custom that adapted older styles to a new message of female empowerment, genres such as advice manuals for women's education, moral satires, and moral and spiritual works by nonconformist Dissenters (those not associated with the Church of England). Wollstonecraft's text is similar to traditional conduct books in promoting self-discipline and obedience, characteristics that were supposed to attract a husband.