Final answer:
The statement suggests that women are restricted by their gender roles, promoting a traditional and essentialist view of femininity that contradicts modern feminist thought advocating for gender flexibility and equality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "Woman is woman. She cannot unsex herself or change her sphere" implies a traditional perspective that women are inherently limited by their gender roles. This view asserts that women have a predetermined place in society which cannot be changed, reflecting a rigid structure of gender binarism and essentialism. It suggests that characteristics associated with femininity are fixed and that women's identities and capabilities are confined to these traits.
Historically, the traditional gender roles have been used to justify limitations on women's rights and abilities, contributing to societal inequalities. Philosophers like Simone de Beauvoir have critiqued these notions, arguing that gender is a social construct rather than an innate quality. Gender roles have evolved, enabling some degree of flexibility. However, the statement in question harkens back to an outdated view that undermines the feminist ethics which seek to equalize the roles and perceptions of men and women in society.