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Significance of the Circle

Significance of the Circle

The Bluestocking circle gained prominence because of the women involved in it, as well as its various philanthropic and promotional activities designed to revolutionize the role and plight of women. A circle was the natural symbol for the Bluestockings. First, the members were all part of a similar intellectual and class level, and had many interrelated interests, relationships, and thoughts. The circle is a natural symbol of unity, and the members of the circle participating in conversation with other individuals who were part of the “circles” – whether social, intellectual, or economical.

The Bluestockings had similar morals, goals and vies that made them unique from other members of British society. Bluestockings resisted prescribed visions of gender and class-specific discourse, but were conflicted on whether to support or reject conventional views about appropriate conduct of women in public. The “blue” woman as freethinker was envisioned as eccentric and neurotic, obsessed with women, women’s rights and sexuality – this perception made the general public less likely to take their suggestions seriously. While the size and diversity of the circle was constantly evolving, the general “content” of the group did not. The Bluestockings’ qualities, as well as how they were viewed by others, helped solidify the group’s mission, identity and relationships. This further assisted in its identification as a circle – a tight-knit membership that proposed changes to existing patriarchal society.