A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf | Shakespeare’s Sister

A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf | Shakespeare’s Sister – WB Class 12 English Notes

Virginia Woolf's famous essay, "A Room of One's Own" is an inspirational example of modern feminist literature. The most influential part of this essay is "Shakespeare's Sister" - which throws light on important subjects such as female freedom, gender inequality and right to education.

If you want to know why the talent of women was hidden in history, and how society stopped the literary development of women, then this part is very important for you.

This article has been specially designed for WBCHSE (West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary) students in Class 12 for the English Syllabus so that they can better understand the English Prose Section in the exam and write high-scoring answers.

What does this part say?

"A Room of One's Own" (a private room) is a very important and famous book of Virginia Woolf. In this book, she tells the story of Shakespeare's fictional sister, Judith Shakespeare. This story is a symbol which is written to explain why women in history did not get a chance to show their talent.

Woolf thinks that if Shakespeare had a sister - Woolf named her Judith Shakespeare - and if she (Judith) was as talented as Shakespeare, what would her life be like?

Judith Shakespeare's fictional story

Judith is also very talented and creative.

But at that time girls are not given a chance to study.

The family puts her in household chores and says that the girl does not need to read books.

When she refuses to marry, she is beaten.

She runs away London, where she wants to work in the theater.

But there too men do not accept her, make fun of her.

Without support and respect, she becomes pregnant and in the end commits suicide.

What does Woolf want to explain with this story?

It is that even if the talent was in Shakespeare, even if it was in a girl, the society would not let her succeed.

Women did not get education, economic freedom and respect at that time.

This is the reason that in history we see very few names of women - this happened not because of their lack, but because of the restrictions of the society.

So Woolf says:

"If any woman wants to write, she should have her own money and a room."

The factual truth of a society

The society suppressed the talent of women as was happen to Judith in the Elizabethan period.

Men used to get freedom, but women lived in bondage.

Economic freedom is necessary, only then a woman can think independently.

We should recognize the voice and work of women.

Conclusion:

Judith Shakespeare's story is a fantasy, but through this story better to say the stories of women like Judith, Virginia Woolf said a big thing - that talented women in history did not come forward because they were not given a chance.

This story ("A Room of One's Own”) makes us think how important it is to give women their own room, time and economic freedom in society, so that they can show their creativity.