In her essay “Professions for Women,” Virginia Woolf examines the obstacles that women face in the professional world. She begins by discussing the “angel in the house”—the idealized woman of Victorian literature who is devoted to her husband and children and has no ambition of her own. Woolf argues that this ideal has been internalized by women, making them feel guilty for wanting to pursue a career. She then goes on to discuss the lack of opportunities for women in the professional world, noting that even when they do have access to education and training, they are often paid less than their male counterparts. Woolf also examines the ways in which society has traditionally viewed women’s work, suggesting that it is seen as less valuable than men’s work. Finally, she argues that women must break free from the “angel in the house” ideal and pursue their own ambitions in order to achieve true equality.
By Virginia Woolf · First published 1917 · Genre: Feminist Literature, Non-Fiction, Essay