Hidden Sexism In Professions For Women

In this unit I analyzed several pieces that discuss how gender inequality manifests in society. I used my knowledge of diction to observe how authors use diction to help with their arguments. One of the topics we discussed was the significance of “hidden sexism” in society versus “explicit sexism.” In Virginia Woolf's speech, Professions for Women, . Her purpose is to support the argument that “hidden sexism” creates a more profound impact. She uses a combination of pathos and ethos to create a relationship with herself and the audience. Contrasting voices, analogies, and imagery. emphasize the pervasive effects of internalized misogyny and hidden sexism in society.
In her introduction, Woolf is determined to create an amicable relationship with her audience. She questions her own validity, wondering “what professional experiences have i had?” This

She paints a picture of her childhood, asking the audience to picture a “girl in her room with a pen in her hand.” This pathos intends to create feeling of nostalgia in the listener. When describing the first time she was paid for her work, she calls it "a very glorious day". Glorious as uplifting diction to please the audience. She pairs this with a reminder of her own inexperience with hardship. She says she doesn't even deserve to be called a professional women. This time, she pays her respect towards women in the audience by saying she knows little of the struggles and difficulties of their lives. She finishes her introduction with humor. "I went out and bought a cat--a beautiful cat, a Persian cat, which very soon involved me in bitter disputes with my neighbours." By presumably making the audience laugh, they will perceive her favorably. This makes her opinions easier to trust. After only two paragraphs, the audience can trust Woolf. It's a higher probablity that they will agree with her opinions of internalized misogyny and hidden