Virginia Woolfs Novels And The Literary Past

The first book to explore Virginia Woolf's preoccupation with the literary past and its profound impact on the content and structure of her novels.It analyses Woolf's reading and writing practices via her essays, diaries and reading notebooks and presents chronological studies of eight of her novels, exploring how Woolf's intensive reading surfaced in her fiction. The book sheds light on Woolf's varied and intricate use of literary allusions; examines ways in which Woolf revisited and revised plots and tropes from earlier fiction; and looks at how she used parody as a means both of critical comment and homage.

Mrs Dalloway, Virginia Woolf's fourth novel, offers the reader an impression of a single June day in London in 1923. Clarissa Dalloway, the wife of a Conservative member of parliament, is preparing to give an evening party, while the shell-shocked Septimus Warren Smith hears the birds in Regent's Park chattering in Greek. There seems to be nothing, except perhaps London, to link Clarissa and Septimus. She is middle-aged and prosperous, with a sheltered happy life behind her; Smith is young, poor, and driven to hatred of himself and the whole human race. Yet both share a terror of existence, and sense the pull of death. The world of Mrs Dalloway is evoked in Woolf's famous stream of consciousness style, in a lyrical and haunting language which has made this, from its publication in 1925, one of her most popular novels.

Katherine Hilbery, torn between past and present, is a figure reflecting Woolf's own struggle with history. Both have illustrious literary ancestors: in Katherine's case, her poet grandfather, and in Woolf's, her father Leslie Stephen, writer, philosopher, and editor. Both desire to break awayfrom the demands of the previous generation without disowning it altogether. Katherine must decide whether or not she loves the iconoclastic Ralph Denham; Woolf seeks a way of experimenting with the novel for that still allows her to express her affection for the literature of the past.This is the most traditional of Woolf's novels, yet even here we can see her beginning to break free; in this, her second novel, with its strange mixture of comedy and high seriousness, Woolf had already found her own characteristic voice.

Katherine Hilbery, torn between past and present, is a figure reflecting Woolf's own struggle with history. Both have illustrious literary ancestors: in Katherine's case, her poet grandfather, and in Woolf's, her father Leslie Stephen, writer, philosopher, and editor. Both desire to break awayfrom the demands of the previous generation without disowning it altogether. Katherine must decide whether or not she loves the iconoclastic Ralph Denham; Woolf seeks a way of experimenting with the novel for that still allows her to express her affection for the literature of the past.This is the most traditional of Woolf's novels, yet even here we can see her beginning to break free; in this, her second novel, with its strange mixture of comedy and high seriousness, Woolf had already found her own characteristic voice.

In a picturesque English village, residents prepare for an amateur production in the grounds of their manor house. Against the backdrop of World War II looming in the background, the play becomes a microcosm reflecting the anxieties, hopes, and societal changes of the time. Through Virginia Woolf's distinctive narrative style, each character's inner world is intricately woven into the fabric of the performance, blurring the lines between reality and theatricality. Between the Acts stands as Virginia Woolf's final novel, completing her exploration of experimental narrative techniques and modernist themes. Published posthumously in 1941, the novel continues Woolf's profound literary legacy of challenging conventional storytelling and delving into the complexities of human consciousness. VIRGINIA WOOLF [1882–1941] was an English author. With novels like Jacob’s Room [1922], Mrs Dalloway [1925], To the Lighthouse [1927], and Orlando [1928], she became a leading figure of modernism and is considered one of the most important English-language authors of the 20th century. As a thinker, with essays like A Room of One’s Own [1929], Woolf has influenced the women’s movement in many countries.

"Night and Day," by Virginia Woolf, is part of the "Barnes & Noble Classics"""series, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of "Barnes & Noble Classics" New introductions commissioned from today's top writers and scholars Biographies of the authors Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events Footnotes and endnotes Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work Comments by other famous authors Study questions to challenge the reader's viewpoints and expectations Bibliographies for further reading Indices & Glossaries, when appropriate All editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. "Barnes & Noble Classics "pulls together a constellation of influencesbiographical, historical, and literaryto enrich each reader's understanding of these enduring works.A long neglected masterpiece, "Night and Day" reveals Virginia Woolf s mastery of the traditional English novel. With its classic comic structure, minutely observed characters, and delicate irony, Woolf s second novel has invited comparison to the works of Shakespeare, Mozart, and Jane Austen. Set in Edwardian London, "Night and Day" contrasts the lives of two friends, Katherine Hilbery and Mary Datchet. Katherine is the bored, frustrated granddaughter of an eminent English poet. She lives at her parents home and is engaged to a prig who exemplifies the stultifying life from which she wishes to be free, until she meets a possible avenue of escape in the person of Ralph Denham. Mary Datchet, on the other hand, represents an alternative to marriageshe has been to college, lives on her own, and finds fulfillment in working for the women s rights movement. As the story dances delightfully among the novel s brilliantly drawn characters, serious questions about the nature of romance arise. Is love real or illusory? Can love and marriage coexist? Is love necessary for happiness? Rachel Wetzsteon is Assistant Professor of English at William Paterson University. She has published two books of poems, "The Other Stars" and "Home and Away.""

The delicate artistry and lyrical prose of Virginia Woolf's novels have established her as a writer of sensitivity and profound talent. This title collects selected works of Woolf, including: "To the Lighthouse," "Orlando," "The Waves," "Jacob's Room," "A Room of One's Own," "Three Guineas" and "Between the Acts."

THE MOST POPULAR OF WOOLF'S NOVELS DURING HER LIFETIME, THE YEARS IS AT ONCE THESTORY OF THREE GENERATIONS OF A FAMILY, THE PARGITERS, AND A SAVAGE INDICTMENT OF BRITISH SOCIETY AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY. A WORK OF FLUID AND DAZZLING LUCIDITY, THE NOVEL DOES NOT FOLLOW A SIMPLE LINE OF DEVELOPMENT BUT IS VARIED AND CONSTANTLY CHANGING, EMPHASIZING ITS NARRATIVE DISCONTINUITY. AS THE CHARACTERS FOLLOW THEIR DAILY RITUALS THEY STRUGGLE TO UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THEIR OWN LIVES AND EXPERIENCES IN RELATION TO EACH OTHER AND TOTHE HISTORICAL EVENTS GOING ON AROUND THEM. THERE IS OFTEN FAILURE YET THERE IS ALSO HOPE IN THE RECOGNITION THAT THE FUTURE CAN BE DIFFERENT FROM THE PAST.

Virginia Woolf's playful exploration of a satirical »Oxbridge« became one of the world's most groundbreaking writings on women, writing, fiction, and gender. A Room of One's Own [1929] can be read as one or as six different essays, narrated from an intimate first-person perspective. Actual history blends with narrative and memoir. But perhaps most revolutionary was its address: the book is written by a woman for women. Male readers are compelled to read through women's eyes in a total inversion of the traditional male gaze. VIRGINIA WOOLF [1882–1941] was an English author. With novels like Jacob’s Room [1922], Mrs Dalloway [1925], To the Lighthouse [1927], and Orlando [1928], she became a leading figure of modernism and is considered one of the most important English-language authors of the 20th century. As a thinker, with essays like A Room of One’s Own [1929], Woolf has influenced the women’s movement in many countries.

In Jacob's Room, readers are drawn into the fragmented life of a young man named Jacob Flanders, whose existence unfolds through a series of vivid snapshots and fragmented memories. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century England, the novel explores Jacob's journey from boyhood to adulthood, capturing his experiences, relationships, and inner thoughts with a lyrical and impressionistic style. Published in 1922, Jacob's Room stands as a pioneering work of modernist literature, as the first of Virginia Woolf’s novels were she steps away from conventional form and narration. Through its experimental prose and fragmented structure, the novel challenges traditional notions of plot and character development, offering readers a unique insight into the complexities of human experience. VIRGINIA WOOLF [1882–1941] was an English author. With novels like Jacob’s Room [1922], Mrs Dalloway [1925], To the Lighthouse [1927], and Orlando [1928], she became a leading figure of modernism and is considered one of the most important English-language authors of the 20th century. As a thinker, with essays like A Room of One’s Own [1929], Woolf has influenced the women’s movement in many countries.