28 pages 56 minutes read

Margaret Fuller

The Great Lawsuit

Nonfiction | Essay / Speech | Adult | Published in 1843

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Important Quotes

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“Whatever the soul knows how to seek, it must attain.”


(Paragraph 8)

Fuller says humans are not only equipped to rise to a divine state of being but called to do so by God. In other words, it is their destiny. Because they know how to achieve this state, they must do so.

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“As men become aware that all men have not had a fair chance, they are inclined to say that no women have had a fair chance.”


(Paragraph 16)

Fuller believes that it is an ideal time for women to fight for equal rights. There is growing awareness that the playing field is not level for all members of American society. This is becoming clearer as people see how a lack of freedom—especially for slaves—can determine the course of one’s entire life. She believes that by comparing women’s lot to that of other oppressed people, especially slaves, the tide is more likely to turn.

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“It is inevitable that an external freedom, such as has been achieved for the nation should be so also for every member of it. That, which has once been clearly conceived in the intelligence, must be acted out.”


(Paragraph 19)

It is not enough to simply believe in the notion of freedom, or to believe that freedom for many is adequate, Fuller says. If one truly believes in freedom, this belief must be put into action. This includes supporting reforms such as women’s suffrage and the abolition of slavery. Such actions are not only just but can help a person make progress on his or her journey to enlightenment.

Related Titles

By Margaret Fuller

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Woman in the Nineteenth Century

Margaret Fuller

Woman in the Nineteenth Century

Margaret Fuller