Primarily, A Vindication on the Rights of Men is focused on providing a reasoned and detailed critique of Edmund Burke's arguments in his political pamphlet, Reflections on the Revolution in France. Wollstonecraft wrote this text at a time when political pamphlets were incredibly popular and were an important mode of communication between political thinkers. Wollstonecraft critiques and challenges Burke's ideologies, specifically his praise of the aristocracy and advocation of conservatism and tradition. She instead argues for a society where privilege is based on merit, rather than birth. In the text, she offers a passionate description of the plight of the poor, and a compelling criticism of the aristocracy.
Wollstonecraft instead advocates a republican society, which means she believed the country should be run by the people rather than the monarchy. She believes that the goal of civilization should be the happiness and individuality of each member and also advocates revolution over tradition, which contrasts greatly with Burke's conservative stance. Arguing against Burke's idea that things are valuable because they are traditional and centuries-old, Wollstonecraft instead believes that rights and values should be tested to see if they are appropriate for contemporary times.
Not only does Wollstonecraft criticize Burke's ideology, but she also criticizes his method. Firstly, she argues that many of his arguments are inconsistent, unfounded and contradictory. As such, she says that beneath his flowery language, there is no substance. This idea is expressed when Wollstonecraft says it is her goal to strip Burke of "the gorgeous drapery in which you have enwrapped your tyrannic principles," and is also expressed in the following passage, where she comments: "Quitting now the flowers of rhetoric, let us, Sir, reason together."
