Professions for Women

Hey AP students! I miss you guys and I especially miss talking about analysis and gender. Little baby Ella is not that interested in discussing Literature yet. (see image to the left)

Alright so you got this paper on Virginia Wolff to write and you're starting early, right?

Here's the prompt: You will write a 4-5 page analytical essay on Woolf's “Professions for Women” that will answer the following questions: Virginia Woolf is careful to acknowledge the unmeasured and immeasurable value of the labor women have traditionally done, yet she also projects a future in which women will have access to all kinds of careers. Does Woolf come down in favor of one or the other of these lifestyles? What does she take to be the pros and cons of each? Do you think her predictions have come to fruition? How does her philosophy apply to today's gender landscape?

Also you need to look at sarcasm and irony.

Let's unpack the above question: What does she say in the essay and how does she say it? What obstacles exist for women who want to become doctors, or writers? How does she use sarcasm? (btw--to the right a pic of Woolf)

These are just a few questions you need to answer for yourself before writing a thesis. However, know that you thesis should not be a laundry list of the answers, rather it should be an arguable statement about what Woolf meant, and how she achieved that meaning. You can then proceed to prove your thesis with answers like the above.

Your thesis might sound like this "In the essay 'Professions for Women' Woolf used sarcasm, understatement and self-deprecating humor to convey her message: that women face both phantom and tangible obstacles to joining the ranks of men- and that we can not call it equality just because there is no law preventing women from running for office or practicing medicine."

Then your essay would follow through proving the above assertion using direct quotes, paraphrase and summary. Easy, right??
Comment here if you need specific help. Remember don't use your full name.