Justification
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Wolf
I was inspired to think about how a feminist in society would respond to the male dominance presented in Room of One’s Own by Virginia Wolf. Chapter three helped me to understand why women are continuously fighting for equality. Stemming from history women are being held to the highest of standards yet treated as the lesser. In the early nineteenth century women were frowned upon for expressing herself through art. The production of women’s art cannot be controlled.
Women are slowly progressing in the area of social independence and gaining respect for their artistic abilities in the twenty first century. In the early nineteenth century women were not respected for their art. “It is fairly evident that even in the nineteenth century a woman was nit encouraged to be an artist” (246) ,says Virginia Wolf . This statement provokes me to wonder how long were women oppressed.
Mrs. Wolf argues about that rooted desire to defeat inferiority. That drive for women to be respected with unbiased opinions and without predetermined roles in life is relevant today. We have the gender gap for example. Women are still being paid less than men to perform identical job duties. In 2010 the median income for men was $42,800 compared to $34,700for women.(Wikipedia.org/male-female income) yet we are still expected to exist happily and cooperatively in a world with a double standard.
“On the contrary, she was snubbed, slapped, lectured and exhorted. Her mind must have been strained and her vitality lowered by the need of opposing this, of disproving that”( 246.) . In my mind this unfolds as men and society enslaving mentally first by brainwashing them. How can one find time to create art, when she is busy submitting to taught standards? One is never to know about the creations which have been perfected in women’s art, thus she will be disrespected, and belittled.
” Even Lady Bessborough, I remembered, with all her passion for politics, must humbly bow herself and write to Lord Granville Leveson-Gower: ‘ . . . notwithstanding all my violence in politicks and talking so much on that subject, I perfectly agree with you that no woman has any business to meddle with that or any other serious business, farther than giving her opinion (if she is ask’d).’ And so she goes on to spend her enthusiasm where it meets with no obstacle whatsoever, upon that immensely important subject, Lord Granville’s maiden speech in the House of Commons.” (246.) It was common of women to accept the disaffirmation of the notion that her art is just as irrelevant as her voice in the early nineteenth century. It was their truth to be inferior and this seemed to be committed to their memory and provoking behavior influenced by fear. Even women whose influence was thought to be heeded to, such as Lady Bessborough would reluctantly defer being defeated by the control of men. Ms. Bessborough as an example was for all women of the nineteenth century to accept the superiority of men. This was to be accepted in all areas ranging from art to politics.
To be stripped of your vibrancies and disregarded in your opinion was punishment for rebelling against standards set for women. Though a contradiction to the progression of women in the early nineteenth century a female would be shunned for the thought of expressing herself freely. Those rights will not be liberated for years to come.
Despite slow progress the evolution of women in power is on the rise. The pursuit for respect and equality is drawing more and more attention to itself. “The history of men’s opposition to woman’s emancipation is more interesting perhaps than the story of emancipation itself.” It is the favored perception is that men are the headliners. Truth is without women’s quest for freedom of expression, equality, and recognition there would be no opposition, therefore no story. Women’s art is the story of emancipation.
Manifesto
This is the time! We women are claiming our position and our independence – in deciding how to express ourselves
We deserve Respect
Respect In art , and not only respect as an artist who is analyzing her world with a gifted and unique vision , But as a business woman, an inventor or politician if she chooses to be
You have that correct, it is a Choice for a woman to choose her path In life and not be denied the right to explore her options and in doing so realizing what is best for her
Women will not be weakened and left powerless without even the liberty of self-expression
We should never be limited to a set and widely accepted standard of living due to the fear of man
Why would you , Man , think that it was acceptable for we, women to function and cooperate with ultimatums that decrease our worth
We are worth high power decisions, Worth more than the eye can meet
Equality is the only satisfaction that is acceptable to women
We shall not be dominated by masculinity, and live in a mental cave, where we are minute
Men are embracing the idea and showing regard that we – Us – women, are the backbone that hold the family together and well prepared to be an artist
Women’s declaration will be embraced by men , women and children, old, and young for all to gain their own understanding without biased restraint.
References :
1. A Room of One’s Own by. Virginia Wolf
2. Wikipedia .org/male-female _income
3.merriamwebster.com
