Excerpt taken from second to last paragraph:
“These then were two very genuine experiences of my own. These were two of the adventures of my professional life. The first–killing the Angel in the House–I think I solved. She died. But the second, telling the truth about my own experiences as a body, I do not think I solved. I doubt that any woman has solved it yet. The obstacles against her are still immensely powerful–and yet they are very difficult to define. Outwardly, what is simpler than to write books? Outwardly, what obstacles are there for a woman rather than for a man? Inwardly, I think, the case is very different; she has still many ghosts to fight, many prejudices to overcome. Indeed it will be a long time still, I think, before a woman can sit down to write a book without finding a phantom to be slain, a rock to be dashed against. And if this is so in literature, the freest of all professions for women, how is it in the new professions which you are now for the first time entering?”
The main idea of this passage is that in any profession, women have obstacles to face because they are women. Some obstacles, such as struggles with self, may be more achievable than outward obstacles. The writer states ‘ The obstacles against her are still immensely powerful–and yet they are very difficult to define’. She reveals that there are still many prejudices to overcome. These come from the stereotypical roles that women are ‘supposed’ to have, and the attempt to break down these ideas in order for women to be truly successful. Outwardly, it may seem like women have overcome all odds already, but there are still issues women face underneath the surface. The writer also emphasizes the struggle that might take place by simply saying ‘ And if this is so in literature, the freest of all professions for women, how is it in the new professions which you are now for the first time entering?’. She notes that there are some professions that haven’t been attempted by women, and whose ‘phantoms’ still have to be slain.There mare fact that she feels the opposition in the freest of all professions shows her concern for professions that have yet to be reached by women. This point connects with the rest of the passage of giving an understanding of ones experience in professions for women. The writer is simply sharing what she has gone through and her revelations about women in the work force as a whole. I have found a lot of truth in this passage. I’ve experienced the surprised responses in expressing my aspiring profession, knowing that I received those responses because I’m a woman. I also know that I’ll receive more of these responses as I grow more in my career. I just have to be persistent in slaying the phantoms.
What an extremely appropriate quotation choice, not just for women in general, but for women at City Tech who are often pursuing degrees to lead to professions still largely dominated by men–think of all the engineering departments–or professions largely dominated by women–think nursing and dental hygiene. What are the obstacles based on outward expectations and inward ones as we pursue our aspirations, and what phantoms continue to haunt? I hope we can discuss this passage further in class or here on our course site.