Q.3 Which of the following options is the closest in meaning to the sentence below?
“As a woman, I have no country.”
(A) Women have no country.
(B) Women are not citizens of any country.
(C) Women’s solidarity knows no national boundaries.
(D) Women of all countries have equal legal rights.
The correct answer is (C) Women’s solidarity knows no national boundaries.
The sentence “As a woman, I have no country” is a famous quote from Virginia Woolf’s essay Three Guineas (1938), expressing that women’s shared experiences and struggles transcend national borders, creating a sense of global sisterhood rather than loyalty to one nation.
Detailed Explanation of Each Option
(A) Women have no country – incorrect
This is a literal generalization that all women lack nationality, which misrepresents the quote. Woolf speaks personally (“I have no country”) to highlight women’s detachment from patriarchal nationalism, not a universal fact of statelessness.
(B) Women are not citizens of any country – incorrect
This implies legal non-citizenship, which is false. The quote addresses emotional/spiritual disconnection from nations due to gender oppression, not legal status.
(C) Women’s solidarity knows no national boundaries – correct
This captures the core meaning: women’s unity and shared identity overcome borders, as Woolf extends: “As a woman my country is the whole world.” It reflects global sisterhood transcending nationalism.
(D) Women of all countries have equal legal rights – incorrect
The quote critiques inequality under nationalism; it does not claim equal rights. Woolf highlights women’s exclusion from male-dominated patriotism.
Introduction: As a Woman I Have No Country
The powerful phrase “As a woman I have no country” from Virginia Woolf challenges nationalism through a feminist lens. It suggests women’s loyalty lies with global sisterhood, not borders. This English question tests paraphrase skills, with women’s solidarity knows no national boundaries as the closest match.
Virginia Woolf’s Quote Origin
In Three Guineas, Woolf argues women reject war-patriotism benefiting men. Full quote: “As a woman I have no country. As a woman I want no country. As a woman my country is the whole world.” It symbolizes transcendence of national divides via shared oppression.
Option-by-Option Breakdown
| Option | Meaning | Why Correct/Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| (A) Women have no country | All women are nationless | Too literal; ignores personal, symbolic intent |
| (B) Women are not citizens | No legal nationality | Misreads as citizenship issue, not solidarity |
| (C) Women’s solidarity knows no national boundaries | Global women’s unity | Matches Woolf’s worldwide sisterhood |
| (D) Equal legal rights | Uniform global equality | Contradicts critique of inequality |
Modern Relevance of As a Woman I Have No Country
Today, it inspires feminism amid global issues like gender rights. It promotes unity beyond politics, resonating in activism.
