Both Wolf's and W.E.B. DuBois's pieces hit some very important points. As Wolf said, had Shakespeare had a sister with the same qualities she would have never made it as an artist becuase of the beliefs in that time period. Du Bois also made that point about being an African American, "How does it feel to be a problem?" Although these are very important points to be made about the history of our great nation, these two points are not valid in this day and age.
There are numerous great female authors that are being published, times have changed. Although women went through a very long struggle to gain equal rights and still are, it is not such a fight to find acting roles, jobs, or a publisher. Women are given opportunities now that they never had before. I understand that in Shakespeare's era women weren't given a half of a chance unless they disguised themselves as males, but this is not Shakespeare's time. Women are independent now and are not sent off to marry as soon as they could walk. Women are given a chance at being someone they never could be before. Wolf made a great point and I am very relieved that times have changed. DuBois also stated that the other races made it seem as though they were more of a problem than a human being. But now African-Americans are famous for the awesome tasks they have accomplished. I'm proud of our nation for growing up and realizing that you don't have to be a middle-aged white male to be somebody.
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Hey Rebecca --
In class, we tended to emphasize the degree to which Woolf's and DuBois's perspectives were still relevant. You've made some important observations about how that relevance has abated. I know that as an instructor I sometimes emphasize--intentionally or not--the side of an argument that is most likely unfamiliar to the class. It's good and important that you're maintaining a balanced view.
It's great to have you in the class!
gad
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