Blog Post #1!

As we were discussing our favorite quotes in the first section, I was reminded of how much I truly enjoyed the second half of Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own." I particularly liked the section where she discussed the conscious, a mind that is by nature split or torn. I believe that this section is extremely relevant to women's issues in general and today's society as well. 

Portrait by Roger Fry

In class, I commented that it's as if Woolf is simply accepting the concept that man and women exist in some sort of spiritual dyad. She is saying that women cannot be complete without man, as if they are two halves to a whole being.  When I first read this, I felt somewhat offended. I thought she was almost agreeing with this concept. The more times I read it, the more I realized the satirical nature in which she writes (speaks). To a common woman, it would be very difficult to decrypt her text. It seems as though she is speaking is plain terms but there is so much subtext, its often overwhelming. Topics that include anything regarding the mind are already difficult to comprehend. I think its almost counter productive for her to be satirical.  As shown in the quote below, it's as if she recognizes the irrationality of the concept, but almost accepts it as a reality.

"One has a profound, if irrational, instinct in favor of the theory that the union of man and woman makes for the greatest satisfaction. the most complete happiness" (pg 63)

 Another thought I had while reading this section was that by saying man and woman are inherently only happy when together, it not only takes away a woman's individual identity, but a man's as well. I think it is too easy to dismiss the difficulties our society creates for a man. Since the women's issues are so blatant, it makes men seem like they are "living the life" so to speak; this meaning that they do not have problems. Also, this statement takes away any sort of identity other than a heterosexual. People who are homosexual, by this standard, are not whole beings and are incapable of being happy. As much as I disagree with this statement, this was the reality of Woolf's time. 

I love that she was able to write from so many different discourses, but some of the sections were difficult to follow. I can understand why not a lot of women in this time were able to keep up with the movement: they weren't able to access or understand her writings. There weren't adequate and appropriate resources to get the word out that there was another way of living as women besides homemaker and secretary. As I thought about this, it made me wonder what is available to us, in the 21st century. There is a blog that I though I;d share with all of you that I've come across a couple times in my Women Studies classes. It's called "The F Word" and it's a contemporary feminist blog. It gives features and commentary on a lot of the most recent women's health, political and social topics. It's also a place where women from all over the world can comment and post about any issues. This is only one example of social outlets for feminist writing and thought. You may not be aware of it, but there are so many out there! Hope you all enjoy!

http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/

p.s. I thought it was interesting that in every single portrait and photograph of Virginia Woolf I found, she always looks so sad and complacent. For a woman with a lot to say, I was expecting a bit more animation! Any thoughts?