Sociology and Mary

     In my Sociology of Gender class we read an article about the feminist movement actually harming gender stereotypes and other genders. And while reading Astell, it's all I could think of. Let's look at some passages.
"How much better are you entertain'd now your Conversations are pertinent and ingenious" (849).
And especially
"I suppose then that you're fill'd with a laudable Ambition to brighten and enlarge your Souls, that the Beauty of your Bodies is but a secondary care, your Dress grows unconcerning, and your Glass is ne'er consulted but in such little intervals of time as hang loose between those hours that are destin'd to nobler Employments" (849).
These two statements make traditionally, culturally feminist attributes negative. It makes caring about dress and appearance negative concerns independent of gender. Which, if we're talking sociology of gender harms everyone. Because who could care about what they're wearing while they're reading?
She makes eloquence sound delightful, and I'm not saying it's not a noble pursuit, but I don't think feminine traditions and intelligence should be separated - that's the harm.
Granted, it took until 1980 to realize the separation might be harmful.
When "you read and you delight in it, because it informs your Judgments, and furnishes Materials for your thoughts to work on; and you love your Religion and make it your Choice because you understand it" (849) is made into a male attribute, it forces eloquent and intelligent females to accept the adoption of male characteristics, rather than intelligent ones.
Also, the entrance of "GOD" - literally all capitalized - seems late, as though it has to be inserted to avoid heresy; it's something we've discussed before. And on the topic of capitalization, let's look at what she's done here. "Labour," "Cost," "Wisdom," "Envy," "Essay," "Bodies," "Choice," "Mind," "Confidence." If writing is brand new, is everything up for experiment? I tried to find some purpose behind these capitalizations and obviously there's reason and it makes each of the words more important (with ultimate importance placed on GOD), but if everything is important, how do you differentiate? Oh wait, you capitalize everything. So we've established that GOD is most important, but why is equal importance given to her "former Essay" as is given to "Wisdom," "Choice," and "Mind?" Perhaps that one is easy. When it came down to a Choice, Astell clearly should boost her own intelligence if she's claiming to teach other females. Go Mary. But what about "Raillery" (Mockery)? And "Country Lady?"
I'm rambling, but I guess my question is whether all of the capitalizations were purposeful.
And I appreciate referring to female intelligence as "real Ornament" (848).