Aristocracy
Wollstonecraft refers to the aristocracy repeatedly in this text. She argues that inherited wealth and nepotism damages someone's character, and does not lead to a positive society. In this text, she depicts the aristocracy as representing corruption and indecency, hidden behind the polished facade of wealth and status. To Wollstonecraft, they symbolize a society where people receive unfair advantages and undeserved privilege, due to their birthright rather than merit.
Burke's drapery
Wollstonecraft writes that her purpose in this text is "to shew you to yourself, stripped of the gorgeous drapery in which you have enwrapped your tyrannic principles." This passage is addressed to Burke, and the "drapery" she mentions symbolizes Burke's flowery and dramatic rhetoric and language, which she believes clouds the real meaning behind his arguments. She argues that many of Burke's arguments are contradictory and not found on any premises. Therefore, beneath the "drapery" of his language, there is no thorough argument.
Beauty
Wollstonecraft argues that Burke's use of language is damaging, and reveals his underlying preconceptions about gender. She refers to his text Enquiry into the Sublime and Beautiful, saying that in this text he seeks to associate beauty and femininity with weakness. She therefore concludes that Burke's ideal society rests on the passivity of women. As such, Wollstonecraft argues that for Burke, beauty symbolizes femininity, passivity and weakness.
