Marriage and Love
by Emma Goldman (1869–1940)
- Free to read
- 15 min read
- 4 chapters
- Reading level: 8th & 9th grade
"Marriage and Love" by Emma Goldman is a critical essay written in the early 20th century. This work extensively explores the distinctions between the institution of marriage and the concept of love, positing that they are often conflated but are fundamentally different. Goldman argues that marriage primarily serves as an economic arrangement, limiting personal freedom and promoting dependency, particularly for women. In "Marriage and Love," Goldman presents a scathing critique of the institution of marriage, suggesting it leads to a dehumanizing experience that often stifles personal growth and genuine affection. She asserts that while some relationships may begin with love, marriage itself does not foster love; rather, it can undermine it. Goldman argues that the societal conditioning around marriage restricts individuals, especially women, and posits that free love, based on genuine connection and autonomy, is the true foundation for meaningful relationships. In her view, love must exist independently of the constraints imposed by societal norms and expectations imposed by marriage, advocating for a future where relationships are based on mutual respect and individual choice.
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Marriage and Love
210 EAST 13th STREET, NEW YORK
1911
The popular notion about marriage and love is that they are synonymous, that they spring from the same motives, and cover the same human needs. Like most popular notions this also rests not on actual facts, but on superstition.
Marriage and love have nothing in common; they are as far apart as the poles; are, in fact, antagonistic to each other. No doubt some marriages have been the result of love. Not, however, because love could assert itself only in marriage; much rather is it because few people can completely outgrow a convention. There are today large numbers of men and women to whom marriage is naught but a farce, but who submit to it for the sake of public opinion. At any rate, while it is true that some marriages are based on love, and while it is equally true that in some cases love continues in married life, I maintain that it does so regardless of marriage, and not because of it.
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About this edition
This free edition of Marriage and Love by Emma Goldman comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #20715, released 2007-03-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Essays, Letters & Speeches, Gender & Sexuality Studies.
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