Read the excerpt from A History of Women’s Suffrage by Stanton, Anthony, and Gage. Another writer asserts that the tyranny of man over woman has its roots, after all, in his nobler feelings; his love, his chivalry, and his desire to protect woman in the barbarous periods of pillage, lust, and war. But wherever the roots may be traced, the results at this hour are equally disastrous to woman. Her best interests and happiness do not seem to have been consulted in the arrangements made for her protection. She has been bought and sold, caressed and crucified at the will and pleasure of her master. But if a chivalrous desire to protect woman has always been the mainspring of man's dominion over her, it should have prompted him to place in her hands the same weapons of defense he has found to be most effective against wrong and oppression.

Which statement paraphrases the authors’ argument?

a) Throughout history, men have strived to protect women through chivalrous action and guardianship.
b) Women have always been subservient to men because they have needed protection during war and pillage.
c) Men have not been successful protecting women because they have not given women the power to protect themselves.
d) During times of war, men and women rely on one another for defense, and they each have weapons for battle.

THE ANSWER IS C