Analysis of Shakespeares Sister by Virginia Woolf - Book Report/Review Example

The concept of identity is one which is altered according to perspective and the way in which look at different circumstances. In the concept of “Shakespeare’s Sister” by Virginia Woolf, there is an understanding of changing perspectives and how it relates to identity. Woolf points out that the identity which one has is not dependent on the genius which they have. Instead, it is based on gender, opportunity and the education which one receives. The concept of Judith as the sister of Shakespeare points out how the identity that one holds in society alters their destiny. Woolf points out that the basis of cultural identity and social expectations is what depicts one’s genius and outcome, as opposed to the ability to develop as an individual independently shows the main identity which one holds. The first way in which Woolf shows the difference in social status and identity as the outcome is through the definition of Judith as Shakespeare’s sister [argument by definition]. The concept is one which is related to the definition of what it means to be a woman. Woolf shows how Shakespeare easily could have gone into social circles, schooling and other areas because of the time frame and what had occurred. Woolf states: “Meanwhile his extraordinary gifted sister, let us suppose, remained at home. She was adventurous, as imaginative, as agog to see the world as he was. But she was not sent to school. She had no chance of learning grammar and logic, let alone of reading Horace and Virgil” (Woolf, 56). This excerpt defines how the difference between men and women in the same family is dependent on social status. The identity comes from the definition of what it means to be a woman within society and how this is what sets one’s destiny. The definition of Shakespeare as well as his sister both shows how the very definition of gender is what creates the alternatives for the destiny which each reaches. The second concept which is used by Woolf is the comparison of Judith and Shakespeare [comparison]. The comparison which is made is one which is defined by the gender difference which offers opportunity. The concept is based first on how Shakespeare is the “apple of her father’s eye” (56) because of his theater and acting skills. This allowed him to walk through open doors which then sets his career in pace for writing some of the best features in theater. However, when comparing this to Judith, that had the same amount of talent, a different outcome was created. “She stood at the stage door; she wanted to act, she said. Men laughed in her face. The manager – a fat, looselipped man – guaffawed. He bellowed something about poodles dancing and women acting – no woman, he said, could possibly be an actress” (Woolf, 57). Both genders are noted to have the same upbringing and opportunity; however, the lack of schooling and the definition of gender stop Judith from being able to go forward. However, there is a comparison between the two and what opportunities should be available. The comparison is one which becomes based on gender as women don’t have the ability to act while men have open doors to acting. This is another example of the differences in gender and how it leads to a change in identity and expectations of what should happen to the individual during their life time because of social standards. Opportunities and how this changes destiny is furthered with the expectations that are given to Judith’s life because of her gender. [example] The example is one which shows how the changes in destiny and life path are altered according to gender. Shakespeare is immediately able to go to London to study while Judith is expected to be married and to not oppose her position in life. “But then her parents came home and told her to mend the stockings and mind the stew and not moon about with books and papers…. She cried out that marriage was hateful to her, and for that she was severely beaten by her father” (Woolf, 57). Woolf sets the example of what it means to be a woman and what the gender basis and expectations are in society. This is one which Shakespeare’s sister can’t get out of and is associated with as her destiny. The gender difference is the example of how Judith’s doors are based on household chores and moving into marriage, despite her desires. The gender example is one which is noted as common among those in society while creating a specific association with what it means to be a woman. Even though the concepts of Judith occur with the examples of what it means to be a woman, there is also an understanding that the social order is the reason why this happens. The cause is based on the 17th century being regarded as the only way to have gender basis in society. The effect is that Judith is unable to study in school and is unable to fulfill her desires. [cause and effect] Woolf also acknowledges that there is a direct association with the social order of the time and that this is where the challenge should be for changes in gender and the ability to offer opportunity to everyone. Woolf states: “For genius like Shakespeare’s is not born among laboring, uneducated, servile people. It was not born in England among the Saxons and the Britains” (Woolf, 58). This example is one which shows that the cause is based specifically on the order of society and what is expected as well as where one can meet their identity through this. The suppression of gender is one which then has to be challenged through this cause and which should be looked at with one losing their identity with the expectations of gender during the time. The concepts which are stated by Woolf offer a perspective based on gender identity and suppression which occurred because of definitions in society. [authority] The authority which is established by Woolf is defined specifically by the analysis of the situation, definitions within society and the expectations which arise from this. The authority which is created shows that if the questions of gender arose and if there were equal opportunity, then it would have “killed her” (57), meaning that there was the inability to overcome the gender suppression and identity which is a part of Woolf’s argument. Woolf is then able to show how the identity is not only one which is defined by expectations and society. More important, it was an expected suppression which was considered a normal part of the time frame. The concepts which are associated with Woolf, show how there is an association with identity that relates directly to the time frame. Identity is one which is placed with gender or race that becomes important. The definition of this identity comes from what is expected in society as well as the associations which are made at the time. The concept of gender is one which Woolf frames as belonging to identity through definition and what is expected during this time frame. Woolf creates and develops an understanding of suppression and how it relates directly to gender identity. The identity comes from expectations in society, everyone’s place within the home and what is occurring within society. Gender identity, according to Woolf, is one which comes from society, definitions and expectations of what opportunities should be a part of the gender which one is. Works Cited Woolf, Virginia. A Room of One’s Own. Ameron: New York, 1996. Read More