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 scholars view Thoughts as part of a literary custom that reinterpreted older forms to convey a message of female empowerment, including genres such as women's education guides, moral satires, and spiritual writings by non-affiliated Dissenters. Wollstonecraft's work is comparable to traditional conduct literature in promoting self-discipline and obedience, traits believed to attract a spouse.