Shakespeare's Sister

Essay | Virginia Woolf
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Why does Woolf criticize the Bishop?

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Why does Woolf criticize the Bishop?

In "Shakespeare's Sister" (1929), Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) criticizes the patriarchal society that suppressed women's creative expression. She uses the example of the hypothetical "Shakespeare's sister" to illustrate the societal barriers faced by women. One of the figures she criticizes within this context is the Bishop. The Bishop represents the institutionalized sexism and misogyny prevalent in Woolf's time.

Enforcing Gender Roles: Woolf criticizes the Bishop for upholding traditional gender roles that confined women to domestic duties. He denied them access to education and creative pursuits. This suggests that the Bishop's disapproval reflects the societal belief that women's aspirations beyond their prescribed roles were unwelcome and even lamentable. The Bishop says,

Cats do not go to heaven. Women cannot write the plays of Shakespeare.

Lack of Sympathy: Woolf highlights the Bishop's
lack of sympathy towards Shakespeare's sister and women in general. This emphasizes his failure to understand the barriers they faced. This indicates the Bishop's refusal to acknowledge the systemic challenges that women encountered in pursuing their ambitions.

Reinforcing Patriarchal Norms: Woolf criticizes the Bishop for reinforcing patriarchal norms that favored men's achievements over women's potential. This suggests the Bishop's shock and disapproval at the idea of a woman aspiring to the same creative heights as her male counterpart. This reflects the entrenched gender discrimination of the time.

Dismissal of Women's Worth: Woolf condemns the Bishop's dismissal of women's intellectual and artistic contributions. He highlighted the broader societal attitude that devalued women's voices and perspectives. He believes in the inferiority of women's intellect and creativity. This memorializes the marginalization of women in the cultural and intellectual spheres. She writes, 

But was a bishop, I think, who declared that it was impossible for any woman, past, present, or to come, to have the genius of Shakespeare.

In termination, Woolf criticizes the Bishop in "Shakespeare's Sister" for embodying the attitudes and beliefs restricting women's opportunities for self-expression and intellectual fulfillment. This highlights a lack of sympathy, reinforcement of patriarchal norms, and dismissal of women's worth.

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Virginia Woolf
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from Shakespeare's Sister