Analysis Of Virginia Woolf's Professions For Women

Decent Essays
Many of these standards are indeed complicated, and force women to behave in a specific way that is deemed acceptable, changing how women act altogether, therefore detracting from their ability to fully be ambitious and determined. Just as Adrienne Rich discusses fear the inhibits women, in Virginia Woolf’s essay, “Professions for Women,” Woolf demonstrates that along with fear, women feel social pressure to act a certain way in their lives or in a profession that destroys their comfort with their own minds. Woolf begins by noting that previous women have paved the way for other women like her; she fully acknowledges that she doesn’t feel the struggle that these courageous women felt. Even so, many modern women suffer from the weight of inhibitions, …show more content…
Agnès Merlet’s film, “Artemisia,” takes place in Italy during the 1600’s and tells the story of a young woman named Artemisia Gentileschi who aspires to be a painter in an intensely misogynist society. This film elaborates on the complicated standards forced upon women and specifically what they experience when they attempt to pursue their passions. It shows that women such as Artemisia, who overlook these social limitations, are shown to be successful, regardless of the journey that leads to their success. Artemisia’s success stems from perseverance and the courage to ignore the standards that society told her to abide by. Unfortunately, she is raped by her later instructor, Agostino Tassi, who is brought to court to determine Artemisia’s fate, but during the trial, Artemisia is asked only once about her stance on the issue, showing that her culture simply does not value the opinions of women. This fact is utterly disappointing, as it shows that the justice system in Artemisia’s time overlooks the fact that she is essentially the most vital feature of the trial. Regardless of the fact that the entire trial is about Artemisia, she remains completely silent until her father suggests that Tassi be forced to marry Artemisia in order to preserve her reputation. She can no longer resist; in response to all of the chaos, she finally exclaims, “Don’t sell me like that!” This phrase in itself is a protest and an assertion of Artemisia’s bravery and willingness to fight for herself, showing that certain women can be particularly brave in an exasperating situation. She disregards the strange looks that the people of the court give her, and she completely dismisses the ‘proper’ way a woman should act in her culture; this is what contributed to her success. A woman prospers by having the courage to get what she wants and speak for herself, so,

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