Author and businesswomen Lois Wyse said, “Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses, women for their strengths” (AZ). Lois stated this while discussing the restrictions society places on men and women. The concept of masculinity and femininity is constantly changing and this evolution seems to directly correspond with the growth of society. Virginia Woolf is one of the first authors of the early twentieth century to bring up the notion that gender roles form only to accommodate to the unspoken rules of society and there is no reason genders should be regarded differently (Price). Her opinions on the different sexes are conveyed in many of her writings including To The Lighthouse. The realistic representation and juxtaposition of gender
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Woolf wrote Lily to be in sharp contrast to Mrs. Ramsay, the literary representation of the “Victorian Woman”. Lily Briscoe’s main focus in the novel is her art and her career. The role of Lily is juxtaposed to the other female characters, who center on feminine traditions. This difference in character is purposely done by Woolf to convey how women were slowly becoming more independent by holding jobs and careers. Lily’s storyline centers around her career as an artist. All of the men in the novel have a job and every female character, except Lily, is focused on domestic duties. Having a career was considered masculine during this time period, Lily defies this gender role by being an artist. Control of one’s life is also an important factor in the portrayal Lily and, and in part the New Woman. For the most part, Lily has control over her life and her career as opposed to Mrs.Ramsay who appears to have control of everyone’s life except her own, which is restricted by traditional gender roles. Lily was able to decide how her life would turn out because she never gave into the pressure of gender roles. Virginia believed that the New Woman had a say in her life while the Victorian Woman were at the hands of society and their expectations. The difference in how much influence they have in their own life further accentuate the difference in women during this time period
Woolf wrote Lily to be in sharp contrast to Mrs. Ramsay, the literary representation of the “Victorian Woman”. Lily Briscoe’s main focus in the novel is her art and her career. The role of Lily is juxtaposed to the other female characters, who center on feminine traditions. This difference in character is purposely done by Woolf to convey how women were slowly becoming more independent by holding jobs and careers. Lily’s storyline centers around her career as an artist. All of the men in the novel have a job and every female character, except Lily, is focused on domestic duties. Having a career was considered masculine during this time period, Lily defies this gender role by being an artist. Control of one’s life is also an important factor in the portrayal Lily and, and in part the New Woman. For the most part, Lily has control over her life and her career as opposed to Mrs.Ramsay who appears to have control of everyone’s life except her own, which is restricted by traditional gender roles. Lily was able to decide how her life would turn out because she never gave into the pressure of gender roles. Virginia believed that the New Woman had a say in her life while the Victorian Woman were at the hands of society and their expectations. The difference in how much influence they have in their own life further accentuate the difference in women during this time period