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Writing & Print Culture

The importance of print culture is paramount to the development of Bluestocking culture, as well as influencing many more sweeping and fundamental social changes in 18th century London. Printing became increasingly important among the educated populace. Writing and publishing allowed various people to express their opinion and add to the existing social discussion and public sphere. This was especially important for women, who were often not included in these discussions, nor regarded as people with valuable input.

By integrating differing opinions in the public sphere, writing culture strongly influenced and diversified traditional social structures. This was primarily an outgrowth of the idea that varying opinions could be written and published, as well as consumed by the general public - and that these texts could tackle important social, national, and fundamental issues that were plaguing British society. The first stage of this cultural revolution was to identify these important failings of society; the second phase was to provide these analyses, as well as potential solutions, out for the reading public to engage with.

One of the best parts of the advancement of print culture for women was its lack of concern for gender. In many cases, founding female authors published under male pseudonyms. As time passed on, it became more normal for women to be involved in the writing and publication process. Despite the long-standing beliefs that society held regarding educated women, many women writers continually challenged these existing conditions by continuing to write. Writing and publishing their work gave these women a sense of pride, in both themselves and their gender overall. While their works did not always fall under contemporary and regarded genres, they still provided examples of the quality and importance of writing by women.

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