Abstract
In late seventeenth-century England (1673-1700), Bathsua Makin, Judith Drake, and Mary Astell were literary pioneers who helped pave the way for women to gain a larger voice in English society. Their philosophies were the first to introduce writing methods that would be later emulated in eighteenth-century Enlightenment literary discourse. The works analyzed here exemplify different literary techniques applied to pro-woman arguments in England during the era. Each female author provides evidence of identity growth and change for women as the literary techniques utilized advocate for a variety of women’s needs. The concept of identity is a part of identity theory. Identity includes experiences, relationships, values, memories, and beliefs which make up an individual’s sense of self. These philosopher’s produced treatise’ which attempted to shift public opinion and change established practices. These authors fought for women’s identity to change by both adhering to traditional custom, and also advocating to advance women in the educational and civic realms of society.