It is evident, however, that both poets agree with the concept that if women are to write, it must be done in confidentiality so as to avoid ridicule and more importantly, further alienation from society. .
"The Introduction- is a first-hand portrayal of a woman who harbors great animosity toward censorship based on sex. Upon commencing her piece, Winchelsea immediately condemns those who would ridicule her writing, whilst implying that they have no legitimate authority to do so. Such authority stems from the ridiculous idea that women should never venture into the man's realm. For, "Alas! a woman that attempts the pen/ Such an intruder on the rights of men,/ Such a presumptuous creature is esteemed,/ The fault can by no virtue be redeemed- (Winchelsea 9-12). This line arouses the concept of men feeling threatened by the literary expression of women, as they perceive it as "insipid- and "incorrect."" In order to enforce a safeguard against this threat is by manipulating women into believing a consistently reinforced idea: "Good breeding, fashion, dancing, dressing and play/ Are the accomplishments we should desire;/ To write, or read, or think, or to enquire/ Would cloud our beauty, and exhaust our time;/ And interrupt the conquests of our prime; - (14-8). Such conformist, yet widely held beliefs forced women further into this male- dominated form of literary incarceration. .
The poet asserts, however, that according to the Holy Bible, this was not the intention for women: Winchelsea draws upon Deborah, a biblical figure, who fought with her people in battle and then wrote her own celebration song. When the poet questions "How (women) are fallen by mistaken rules- (25), the reader is reminded of Woolf's "man-created- history; a history that serves as a "bible- supporting the subordination of the female. This is the point at which Winchelsea loses her faith (had she any in the first place) in women ever having the opportunity to voice their feelings and experiences through writing.
