Untitled

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 49, 22 November 1920, Page 3

A Much-Discussed Writer. •Mr. Arnold Bennett's views on -women in his latest book, "Our Women," nave been hotly discussed in women's clubs nnd in business offices, states a London exchange. His statement that "nfter «very allowance' is made for inequality of opportunity, there is an overwhelming constitutional difference in pure intellect, between men nnd women, was keenly challenged. All the women with whom a "Dally News" representative dfscupsed tbo matter expresseil Hie opinion that Mr. Bennett's statement was merely the view of the somewhat oM-fnshioned'mnn, who feels that his position of superiority is going to be seriously challenged in the future. . T suppose Mr. .Arnold Bennett has not troubled to read the lives of the women novelists and poets whom he so easily class's ns second rate," said Mrs. Oliver Strnchey. "When Fanny. Burney began to write at home she had to hide her manuscript away, nnd take np a piece' o[ needlework. Dr. Ethel Smyth, the musical composer, in writing of'her early days, .dwells on the opposition with which tar anxiety to go i.n for serious musical study was received at home. The average girl does not get equal opportunities to study for any art or profession even tndav, although things are considernblv better than ~thfy were." Mr. Bonnett's views, she added, were, in hor opinion, somewhat contradictory. In one place he declaimed upon women's inferiority, nnd In nnother he advocated a reforme<i system of education for, girls by which tliey were to lenrn a profession and take a three years' course of training inMiousehold management, nfter leaving school. Thus, _ despite the alleged inferiority of the girl, she was expected to do two things while her brother only did one.