Antony Quote by Virginia Woolf
“Here was a woman about the year 1800 writing without hate, without bitterness, without fear, without protest, without preaching. That was how Shakespeare wrote, I thought, looking at Antony and Cleopatra; and when people compare Shakespeare and Jane Austen, they may mean that the minds of both had consumed all impediments; and for that reason we do not know Jane Austen and we do not know Shakespeare, and for that reason Jane Austen pervades every word that she wrote, and so does Shakespeare.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf, 1929
She compares Austen’s unimpeded, fearless writing to Shakespeare’s, suggesting both transcended constraints, yet Austen’s voice remains less recognized, highlighting gendered literary bias.
In simple terms: Both writers wrote freely, but Austen is less known due to gender bias.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and uplift overlooked female voices.
Themes
literature
gender equality
creative freedom
historical bias
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
critical
historical
When to use this quote
- academic curricula
- literary criticism
- publishing industry
Key Concepts
canon formation
authorial voice
comparative analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- Why are some authors canonized over others?
- How can we broaden literary can?
A Different Perspective
The comparison may oversimplify distinct historical contexts.
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