Final answer:
Mercy Otis Warren wrote secretly to contribute to political discussions during the Revolutionary era while avoiding social repercussions due to gender biases. Her writing was a form of intellectual rebellion and was indicative of the challenges women faced in making their voices heard.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mercy Otis Warren wrote secretly during the Revolutionary era to challenge gender assumptions and traditions, opposing British reform measures and expressing her political views. As a woman, engaging in political discourse and publishing works were considered out of the conventional female sphere. The need for secrecy arose due to the fear of social reprimand, criticism, or potential repercussions during a time of heightened political tension and when female intellectual pursuits were not widely accepted or encouraged.
Warren's writing acted as a form of intellectual rebellion, which she pursued out of personal curiosity and belief in the cause. Her anonymity allowed her to speak freely without facing the direct consequences that might have been inflicted upon a woman for such actions. This was emblematic of many women at the time who had to navigate the restrictions of society to make their voices heard.