[1] It contains a response to Antoine Léonard Thomas's Essay on the Character, Morals, and Mind of Women in Different Centuries, which was also published in 1772, and includes Diderot's own views on the subject.
"[5] He goes on to describe women as "beautiful as the seraphim of Klopstock, terrible as the devils of Milton"; and provides further evidence that he is writing from a male perspective when he states that "The symbol of woman in general is that of the Apocalypse, on the forehead of which is written: Mystery.
[9][10] Diderot also weighs in on what he considers some extremes present in women; he comments that they may faint on seeing a spider or a mouse, but that they are also capable of withstanding the greatest horrors known to humanity.
Its true meaning is: "If you would only sacrifice your innocence and your morals to my desires, lose your self-esteem and the respect of others, move in society with eyes downcast, at least until you have become sufficiently accustomed to wantonness to acquire the brazen conduct that accompanies it, abandon all thought of a respected place in society, cause your parents to die of grief, and give me a moment of pleasure, I shall be much obliged.
[11] In her essay "Sexual/Textual Politics in the Enlightenment: Diderot and d'Epinay Respond to Thomas's Essay on Women" Illinois State University professor Mary Trouille comments that "Oscillating continually between an attitude of sympathy and scorn for women, between images of idealization and vituperation, Diderot (like Thomas) leaves the reader perplexed and uncertain as to his true beliefs.