In "A Room of One’s Own," literary giant Virginia Woolf writes of an imaginary sister of renowned English playwright William Shakespeare, using her narrative to illuminate the challenges faced by women in Shakespeare's era, her own contemporary society, and beyond, offering insights into the ongoing struggle for gender equality.
There is a passage in Woolf's masterpiece that I will paraphrase here in my own vastly simplified words: An elderly man once adamantly claimed that achieving a level of genius comparable to Shakespeare's would be unattainable for any woman, not just in the past but also in contemporary times and the foreseeable future. According to this assertion, Shakespeare's education likely consisted of grammar and rudimentary logic, typical of a middle school curriculum. Fascinated by the world of theater, Shakespeare secured a job at a local theater, immersing himself in the craft of playwriting. His passion and skill flourished in this environment, allowing him to showcase his talent and forge connections with a diverse array of individuals. Yet, while Shakespeare thrived in the vibrant world of theater, his equally gifted sister remained confined at home. Despite possessing a boundless imagination akin to her brother's, she found herself stifled by societal expectations. Perhaps she clandestinely penned stories in the solitude of the attic, only to destroy them because of her fear of others discovering the works. Despite her protests, she was betrothed to a neighbor's son before reaching the age of 20, enduring her father's wrath when she resisted. Disillusioned, she fled to London, yearning to pursue her passion for storytelling on stage. However, she faced ridicule and scorn from men who dismissed her talents. Eventually, she became entangled with a man in the theater world, resulting in an unplanned pregnancy. Consumed by despair, she tragically took her own life on a cold winter's night and was laid to rest at a desolate crossroads near a castle.
Upon reading Woolf's original passage, I was astonished. Originating from a distant land a century or more ago, this narrative, even within Woolf’s contemplation, illustrates the bleak prospects awaiting a talented woman fueled by ambition and longing. Despite her fervent desires, the only available path for such a woman ultimately leads to a tragic fate filled with darkness and despair.
It reminded me of my experience when I was an adolescent, learning that I did not have any way to leave my home or travel the world and live freely as I wanted without any oppression. For a young, vulnerable woman lacking financial resources, the future often loomed as a dark and brutal landscape fraught with the perils of crime, sexual violence, or the harrowing consequences of unwanted pregnancy. That was clear even to me even as a teenager. Indeed, it's a sobering truth that for far too long, women brimming with talent, dreams, and aspirations were unjustly barred from achieving or realizing their full potential.
After mentioning the brief yet tragic life of Shakespeare's fictional sister, Woolf proceeds to delve into the experiences of women writers throughout English history, extending beyond Shakespeare's era. I was delighted and filled with anticipation upon encountering familiar names such as Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, and George Eliot — writers whose works I had read during my teenage years and later delved into during my university studies.
Woolf, in the same work, writes: "Moreover, in a hundred years, I thought, reaching my own doorstep, women will have ceased to be the protected sex. Logically they will take part in all the activities and exertions that were once denied them. The nursemaid will heave coal. The shop woman will drive an engine."
Here, Woolf assumes the voice of a prophetess, proclaiming that the customs and values of society must undergo transformation, alongside the evolution of sexual roles and expectations.
While such a revised reality may not currently be permissible or imminent in Korea, the progression toward it becomes increasingly plausible as time passes. Woolf's visionary words undoubtedly propel the world toward a future of freedom and equality.
This is one important reason why people write essays, poems and novels. Although certain developments may not be permissible at present, when individuals dare to dream, imagine, create, and document such aspirations, they sow the seeds for their realization in the future. In Korean culture, there's a saying, "Words become seeds," akin to the English expression "Be careful what you wish for." It underscores the notion that spoken words have the power to manifest into reality. When we vocalize our desires for gender equality and the rectification of disparities between men and women, it's inevitable that someday, these aspirations will materialize.
Lee Nan-hee studied English in college and theology at Hanshin University.
Shakespeare's sister: Words become seeds
33
0
18.04.2024
In "A Room of One’s Own," literary giant Virginia Woolf writes of an imaginary sister of renowned English playwright William Shakespeare, using her narrative to illuminate the challenges faced by women in Shakespeare's era, her own contemporary society, and beyond, offering insights into the ongoing struggle for gender equality.
There is a passage in Woolf's masterpiece that I will paraphrase here in my own vastly simplified words: An elderly man once adamantly claimed that achieving a level of genius comparable to Shakespeare's would be unattainable for any woman, not just in the past but also in contemporary times and the foreseeable future. According to this assertion, Shakespeare's education likely consisted of grammar and rudimentary logic, typical of a middle school curriculum. Fascinated by the world of theater, Shakespeare secured a job at a local theater, immersing himself in the craft of playwriting. His passion and skill flourished in this environment, allowing him to showcase his talent and forge connections with a diverse array of individuals. Yet, while Shakespeare thrived in the vibrant world of theater, his equally gifted sister remained confined at home. Despite possessing a boundless imagination akin to her........
© The Korea Times
visit website
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Belen Fernandez
Andrew Mitrovica
Mort Laitner
Rami G Khouri
Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Nikkei Editorial
