Virginia Woolf "Shakespeares Sister"

Question 1

What is the significance behind Shakespeares sister?

Answer 1

Shakespeare’s sister - worked to illuminate the fact that women are always there in history, but we have only learned men in history. Women were there and women were doing stuff, we just don’t learn about it.
Likely Shakespeare had a sister, likely that there was a genius play writer that we haven’t studied.

Question 2

What was happening in the world at this time?

Answer 2

-women restricted form education
- yet, in fiction, women were portrayed as great and powerful, equal or stronger than men
-however, in reality, women are completely insignificant (absent from history)
-during this time, despite the intellect of women, they are not able to embrace their talent and express their true personality
Ex. likely that female equiv. of Shakespeare would not have pursed education, not been able to write publically and forced into marriage

Question 3

In what ways were women seen as objects at this time?

Answer 3

• Objects of their fathers: (like their prized possessions) their fathers made all their decisions for them
• Objects of love: women were not desirable for their personality or character, only for their looks