Virginia Woolf A Room Of One's Own Analysis

Virginia Woolf- A Room of One’s Own Response Equality between the sexes is a relatively new concept. Throughout most of history women have always been treated to less privilege and opportunity as their male counterparts. Beginning in the 19th century onward, women began to make the argument for themselves that they were deserving of more fair and balanced treatment in society. Woman writers, poets, and thinkers began to create the early foundations for feminist thought and logic during this time. One of the pioneering voices in this emerging feminist movement was Virginia Woolf. Woolf, in her essay A Room of One’s Own tries to address the question of creativity between the sexes, and under what conditions does creativity flourish. Using a very poetic narrative style, Woolf explores several ideas in her attempt to understand the differences in the creative faculties of men and women. She explores themes relating to poverty and education, stating the relative difference in wealth between men and women. She points this out in the

Woolf states, “Life for both sexes—and I looked at them, shouldering their way along the pavement—is arduous, difficult, a perpetual struggle. It calls for gigantic courage and strength. More than anything, perhaps, creatures of illusion as we are, it calls for confidence in oneself. Without self-confidence we are as babes in the cradle. And how can we generate this imponderable quality, which is yet so invaluable, most quickly? By thinking that other people are inferior to oneself.” (Woolf, pg 30). Woolf concludes that men put women down in order to inflate their sense of self worth and pride. The contention of the sexes is an issue arising out of ego and