
During Virginia Woolf's lifetime Britain's position in the world changed, and so did the outlook of its people. The Boer War and the First World War forced politicians and citizens alike to ask how far the power of the state extended into the lives of individuals; the rise of fascism provided one menacing answer. Woolf's experiments in fiction, and her unique position in the publishing world, allowed her to address such intersections of the public and the private. Michael H. Whitworth shows how ideas and images from contemporary novelists, philosophers, theorists, and scientists fuelled her writing, and how critics, film-makers, and novelists have reinterpreted her work for later generations. The book includes a chronology of Virginia Woolf's life and times, suggestions for further reading, websites, illustrations, and a comprehensive index. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
This volume investigates how the shifting socio-political landscape of early 20th-century Britain and the intellectual currents of the era shaped the literary output of Virginia Woolf. Michael H. Whitworth, an expert in modernist literature, utilizes a synthesis of historical context, philosophical inquiry, and scientific discourse to map the influences on Woolf's creative process. The text argues that Woolf's unique position as both a novelist and a publisher allowed her to bridge the divide between private experience and public history, effectively documenting the transformation of British society.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Scholars and students frequently cite this work as a reliable, foundational resource for understanding the intersection of modernist literature and historical context. The prose is noted for its academic rigor while remaining accessible to those seeking a structured overview of Woolf's intellectual environment.
Page Count:
288
Publication Date:
2005-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191604453
ISBN-13:
9780191604454
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