Virginia Woolf’s Experience in the Lens of Feminism through the Novel,

“A Room Of One’s Own”

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A Term Paper

Presented to

Ma’am Rocio Tejido

Subject Facilitator

Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Santa Rosa Campus

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In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for

Survey of English and American Literature

by

Bacurin, Jodielyn D.

Caratihan, Zayra Jane C.

BSEDEN 3-1

February 2024
Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1
ABSTRACT

In ‘A Room of One’s Own’ (1928), Virginia Woolf exposes the reasons behind women’s

failure to compete with the patriarchal society breaking all the norms. She defies the

predominant belief that the real ‘ genius’ grows above all; even the idea of genius as an innate

power is central to A Room of One’s Own. The women should strive hard for financial freedom

and ‘a room of one's own,' which can improve the future of fictions written by women novelists

in the coming centuries.

Woolf is talking about women writers and literature in this novel, but she's also talking

about the unfair treatment of women, and how it prevents them from writing new works. She's

played an important role in the growth of the feminist movement. Feminism is the idea that

women should have the same rights as men in society and the economy. Woolf has been

requested to speak to a gathering of young female scholars about Women and Fiction. Her novel

is about a woman who requires "money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction." She will

now attempt to demonstrate how she arrived at this decision, determining that the only way she

can impart any truth is to explain her own experience. As a result, she takes the narrator's voice.

This narrator's name is unimportant because she symbolizes all women.

The paper aims to highlight Woolf’s feminist sensibility by using the Material Feminism

which is important for a woman to have a room of one’s own and the novel’s connection in the

experiences of the author with the use of Biographical Criticism. Adeline Virginia Stephen

became famous by the name of Virginia Woolf. , is a woman with vision and a mission, courage,

determination, hard work and above all a novelist par excellence qualities. Woolf wrote A Room

of one's Own in 1928, Woolf's first book about feminism. In this work, she dwelled on women

and literature.
Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

Introduction

Virginia Woolf was approached to deliver lectures at Newnham College and Girton

College in October 1928, the only colleges for women at Cambridge in that time.The

conversations on Women and Fiction were turned into the publication of A Room of One's Own

in 1929. The prevalence of the title in our society indicates the book's significance and enduring

influence. A Room of One's Own is a very important book about feminist literary criticism. It

explores the impact of historical and contextual factors on writers' performance.

Woolf begins by talking about women and writing, but she soon shifts to talking about

how men and women are treated differently in the world of art and culture, and how this affects

women's ability to be creative. She writes the essay as her own ideas about the topic. As she tries

to learn more about women and literature, she notices that there are not many important female

writers before the 1800s as stated by Woolf, “What I find deplorable … is that nothing is known

about women before the 18th century. I have no model in my mind to turn about this way and

that. Here am I asking why women did not write poetry in the Elizabethan age, and I am not sure

how they were educated…”

Looking for answers about why there aren't many female writers, she also finds out that

there isn't much information about women's lives before the 18th century. This could be because

of poverty, lack of education, and pressure for women to stay home. The history we see mostly

shows that men wrote about women from their point of view. Woolf envisions the lives of

women in an attempt to understand the scarcity of female authors in history.

Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

A Room of One's Own is an important book in the history of English literature analysis

and women's rights theory. This story stands out for its unique style. It tells a story about women

and the challenges they face in the real world. Virginia Woolf is a famous feminist writer who

used a writing style called "stream of consciousness". Some of her other great novels such as

Mrs. Dalloway and To the LightHouse are written from a feminist perspective, just like her essay

A Room of One's Own. Feminism is a word used to talk about movements about culture, politics,

and money. It wants to make sure women have more legal rights and protection. Feminism is a

movement that aims to make sure women and men have the same rights and opportunities in

society. It also recognizes that gender is connected to other social structures.

In her book A Room of One's Own, written in 1929, Woolf says that many of the most

smart and fascinating characters in stories have been women. In actuality, women have often

been regarded as less significant and subject to the dominance of men seeking to exert control

over them. Women's access to education has long been impeded and, in the past, women have

traditionally had no rights of their own when it comes to leisure time that is a prerequisite for

creative writing.

She notes, in her address to the audience of 1929, that great literary contributions have

been made by authors such as Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, but much has yet to be done.

Woolf famously insists that creative works require freedom, both financial and intellectual; a

woman must have independent means (at least five hundred pounds a year, a large sum at the

time) and a room of her own.

Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

According to Virginia Woolf, there were a lot of famous female characters in literature.

Women play a major and vital role in Shakespeare plays as well. But in real life, women are

given the status as being the second sex, the first being men to dominate them. Women are not

allowed to learn, and they have historically been denied the personal rights of leisure that

accompany creative writing.

The following lines from A Room of One’s Own tell all about women’s Identity:

“You can Call to me Mary Beton or Mary Seton or even Mary Carmichael or the name you

please…

It’s not the matter of much importance.” (17)

The lines of the first chapter are a reference to the author's search for identity that is

maintained until the end of this article. According to Virginia Woolf, to make her identity, a

woman needs a personal room in which she can spend as much time as she wants without any

question. This will allow her to make good literature in spite of any interruption. Women were

not allowed to enjoy this freedom when Woolf was writing that essay, and consequently their

work suffered greatly. In her writing, Woolf used a method called "tunneling," in which she

would dig into the character's inner life, dreams and thoughts to give greater context. Beneath the

observed details of daily life, she tried to find real meaning and truth.
Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

Background of the Author

Virginia Woolf was a famous English writer in the 1900s. In addition to her novels, she

was renowned for her essays, biographies, letters, and diaries. She was involved in the modernist

movement, a writing style that emerged in the period between World War I and World War II. As

a little girl, Virginia was curious, happy, and liked to play. She made a newspaper about her

family's funny stories. In her youth, she faced tremendous hardships, including being harmed by

her half-brothers, George and Gerald Duckworth. She talked about these experiences in her

essays “A Sketch of the Past” and “22 Hyde Park Gate”. In 1895, when she was 13, her mother

died suddenly from rheumatic fever. This caused her a lot of distress and led to a mental

collapse. Two years later, her half-sister Stella, who was in charge of the family, also died.

After their father died, Woolf's sister Vanessa and brother Adrian sold the family home in

Hyde Park Gate, and bought a house in the Bloomsbury area of London. Virginia met a group of

smart and creative people called the Bloomsbury Group. The group became famous in 1910 for

the Dreadnought Hoax, a practical joke in which members of the group dressed up as a

delegation of Ethiopian royals, including Virginia disguised as a bearded man, and successfully

persuaded the English Royal Navy to show them their warship, the HMS Dreadnought. After the

outrageous act, Leonard Woolf and Virginia became closer, and eventually they were married on

August 10, 1912. The two shared a passionate love for one another for the rest of their lives.
Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

Before Virginia married Leonard, she started writing her first book several years ago. The

first title was Melymbrosia. After working on it for nine years and making many changes, it was

finally published in 1915 as The Voyage Out. Two years later, the Woolfs bought an old printing

machine and started their own publishing company at their home, called Hogarth Press. Virginia

and Leonard published their writing for the public to read, along with works from Sigmund

Freud, Katharine Mansfield, and T.S Eliot. One year after World War I ended, the Woolfs bought

Monk's House, a small house in the village of Rodmell in 1919.

Woolf often gave talks at colleges and universities, wrote passionate letters, and

self-published many short stories. By the time she was in her mid-forties, she had become known

as a smart, creative writer and a leading figure in the feminist movement. Her ability to

seamlessly blend tranquil and thrilling moments in her narratives is truly impressive, earning her

widespread acclaim. Despite being successful on the outside, she still struggled with frequent

episodes of severe depression and intense mood changes. Woolf's husband, Leonard, was always

with her and knew when she was getting depressed. He noticed that she was feeling very sad as

she worked on her last book, Between the Acts, which was published after she died in 1941.

During World War II, the couple agreed that if Germany invaded England, they would

kill themselves together. They were afraid that Leonard, who was Jewish, would be in more

danger. During the Second World War, in 1940, the house of the couple in London was destroyed

when the Germans bombed the city. After enduring long-term mental health issues, including

feelings of deep sadness and attempting self-harm, Woolf died by drowning herself near her

home in Sussex, England at the age of 59 in 1941.

Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

Method used in the analysis

Materialist Feminism

The novel corresponds to the literary style of Materialist feminism. Materialist feminism

is a theoretical framework for feminist philosophy and social theory that examines how material

conditions and economic structures form and impact gender interactions, social hierarchies, and

power dynamics. Materialist feminists contend that women's oppression emerges from economic

and material inequalities such as resource access, work conditions, and property ownership. In

this regard, Woolf's study of societal constraints that hinder women's creative expression

exemplifies materialistic feminist beliefs.

One of the major principles of materialistic feminism is the advocacy of women's

economic freedom, which is supported in the novel by Woolf's emphasis on the significance of

financial independence for women. She suggests that women need their own money and space to

pursue their artistic interests. This is compatible with materialistic feminists' belief that women

should have equal access to economic opportunities and resources. She highlights women's

access to knowledge is limited, which is consistent with materialistic feminism's activism for

equal access to education, and it emphasizes Woolf's belief in providing women with equal

opportunities in education so that they can express and enhance their potential. In "A Room of

One's Own," Woolf argues that women deserve the freedom to think, create, and express

themselves without being constrained by societal expectations. Moreover, an in-depth evaluation

of the patriarchal systems in literature and society that have silenced women's voices has been

stated confronting and reforming existing institutions to achieve gender equality.

Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

Woolf delves on the issue of reproductive work and how it affects women's creative

potential in "A Room of One's Own." She considers how women have historically been limited

to domestic tasks, burdened with childcare, housework, and emotional labor. From a materialist

feminist viewpoint, Woolf's critique of unpaid work highlights how capitalism abuses women's

labor in the private sphere, perpetuating inequality among women. The invisibility and value of

reproductive work limit women's involvement in public life while also reinforcing conventional

gender norms that hinder their economic and social independence.Woolf sheds light on the

material constraints that affect women's experiences and prospects via her advocacy for

economic independence, critique of unpaid reproductive work, and vision of structural

transformation. By approaching Woolf's writing via a materialist feminist perspective, we obtain

a better understanding of the interdependence of economic systems and gender injustice, as well

as the importance of collective stand for a more fair and equitable society.

Biographical Literary Theory

The application of biographical theory provides insights into the author's personal

experiences, beliefs, and social context in expanding our comprehension of the novel.

Biographical contemplation gives insight into how Woolf's own experiences, both as a woman

and a writer, shaped her views on women's roles in writing. Her interactions with societal norms

and patriarchal literary traditions are likely to have influenced the novel's challenges.
Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

Virginia Woolf suffered from mental health concerns throughout her life. Her struggles

with mental health notified her thoughts about the creative process and the circumstances

required for creative expression. Her focus on the value of a room and financial independence

might be attributed to her personal difficulties. Biographical analysis takes into consideration the

larger historical environment in which an author lived. Woolf came from a literary and

intellectual family, and she was a member of the Bloomsbury Group, an intellectual and artistic

group.

Woolf's experiences in the early twentieth century, a period defined by immense social

and cultural disruptions, are likely to have informed her views on women's responsibilities and

opportunities. Woolf was an influential figure in the feminist revolution. Biographical theory

could examine how her participation in feminist circles and dedication to women's rights affected

the ideas and arguments presented in "A Room of One's Own." Understanding Virginia Woolf's

background enables readers to more effectively understand and comprehend "A Room of One's

Own". As the novel stands on its own as a work of literary and feminist criticism, insights from

Woolf's biography help to deepen our knowledge of the motivations and personal experiences

that shaped her ideas.

Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1
Summary of the Novel

Chapter 1

Virginia Woolf has been asked to give a speech to a group of female students from

Newnham and Girton colleges at the University of Cambridge. Woolf cares a lot about the topic

of Women and Fiction. She proposes sharing a fictional story about a student named Mary in a

fictional school called Oxbridge instead of engaging in a political debate (while sometimes

changing to her own view of Virginia Woolf). While from the first-person perspective, the

character is meant to be interchangeable with any one woman from the audience.

Mary is thinking a lot and walking quickly across a grassy area. She becomes distracted

when the guard turns her away, stating that the area is specifically for men and scholars. She

chooses to look for an essay about poet Charles Lamb in the library. But when she gets there,

they tell her she can't come in because only men are allowed in the library. She has a wish to

enter a chapel but has doubts about being allowed inside. Instead, she attends a luncheon,

explaining the plentiful food and lively conversation in great detail.

Mary draws a comparison between the food served at the men's college and the cuisine at

a fictitious women's college, Fernham. There's not much food, and the conversation is not very

interesting. She talks with a friend about how much money the men's colleges get. Former

students and individuals with a family tradition of donating provide monetary support on a

regular basis. She thinks that women are too busy taking care of their families to make a lasting

impact on women's colleges instead of the small and embarrassing fundraisers. She is upset

because she can't use the men's facilities, so she goes to bed.
Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

Chapter 2

The next day, Mary goes to the British Museum in London. She wants to find out why

men and women are treated differently in literature. She noticed that many of the books are

written by men, even when they are about women. Male authors both praise and criticize women

at the same time, making it seem like women's history is not fully resolved and is overly

controlled by men. In addition, she feels stressed by how much information there is, because she

doesn't have as much training as the young male researcher next to her. Upset by the male

authors thinking women are not as good, she goes out for lunch.

Mary reads the newspaper and sees a lot of stories about how men have more important

roles in society compared to women. She is curious why men must assert their power at the

expense of women. Mary thinks that men have always used women to make themselves look

more important (Mary concludes that throughout history, women have been used as a “mirror” to

enlarge men). If women were to criticize men, they would feel small.

When Mary pays for her lunch, she tells others that she gets money from her aunt every

year. She can support herself without relying on a man for money. She thinks this helps her see

society more clearly, and she believes that both men and women are hurt by the expectations

society has for their gender. Women don't get paid as much as men for the same work, and this

affects the kind of stories women can write.

Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

Chapter 3

Mary is still not happy with the fact that there is no clear answer for why men and women

are different. She believes a historian can help, but there is very little information about women

in history books without mentioning men. In stories, women are often shown as inspiring, but in

real life, they are seen as uneducated and owned by their husbands. To make up for this, the

author creates a fictional character named Judith Shakespeare, who is William Shakespeare’s

sister.

Mary wants the audience to think about what it would be like if Judith had the same

abilities as her brother, but in a different situation. William goes to school and Judith stays home.

William is going to London to work at the theaters, while Judith is getting married early because

her family wants her to. Just as she is about to leave, she decides to go to London, where she is

ridiculed by theater managers who don't think women are suitable for acting. Ultimately, she

becomes pregnant and then takes her own life because she lacked any other means of support.

How many women who have been shunned, excommunicated, or killed for witchcraft

were actually good writers? Mary thinks that talented people need to be encouraged and

supported. But women are often too busy taking care of their homes and families to focus on

their writing. Shakespeare was “incandescent” because he had everything he needed to use his

talent without any problems.

Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

Chapter 4

Numerous women in the workforce may struggle to produce content that is respected by

others. Rich women will have more opportunities. Woolf talks about Lady Winchilsea, who was

a noble woman without children, and she was really good at writing poetry. However, her bright

future was stopped because she felt bitter about not getting support and being ignored by the

male-dominated literary world. Another duchess also wrote poetry but people thought she was

crazy. A different female author wrote letters without the intention of publishing them, yet her

writing displayed talent.

The presence of Aphra Behn changed the experience of writing for women. She used to

be middle class, but now she is poor. Her fame stems from her professional approach to writing,

rather than the content itself. The prospect of earning income through writing encouraged women

to pursue this career path. Woolf thinks that books like Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice could

not have been written if it were not for other books that came before them. These and many other

books helped create a tradition of women's writing.

However, there are very few poems and other types of writing by women. Woolf thinks

it's easier to write novels in parts to fit a woman's home life, since poetry needs full attention

without any interruptions. Men can produce poetry because patriarchal society reflects their

values. If women are given more freedom in the literary world, they can write in different styles

and even come up with new ones.

Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

Chapter 5

The narrator in the story, tells about a made-up book written by a made-up author named

Mary Carmichael. She might not write as well as Jane Austen, but she is known for writing about

her feelings for another woman. The story is about Chloe, who is watching her friend Olivia in a

lab.

From Chloe's perspective, the writer shares small details about Olivia. This writing talks

about things that are important to women and can be seen in their world. This allows the writer

to imagine details that are invisible or unnoticed by men, and not worry about their writing

ability against that of male authors, by writing as a person, instead of as a woman.

Chapter 6

The next day, the narrator watches the roads of London. She feels like nobody cares

about literature and everyone just goes on with their day. She watches a man and a woman

getting into the same taxi at different times. This picture shows that men and women should

come together and work together. Mary understands that some of the books written by men about

women are connected to the women's suffrage movement. Men are realizing the importance of

gender equality and are responding by writing about men being better than women.

Going back to the main idea of talking about women and fiction, Woolf thinks it's better

to include both men's and women's perspectives from the history of literature. It's more difficult

for poor women to become successful writers than it is for poor men. Overwhelmingly, most

literature is written by wealthy men.

Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

The audience might wonder why Woolf still wants to write even though women are

treated unfairly. But she says she loves reading, so she still wants to write. She asks people to

write about any topic, real or made up, to motivate future generations. Women should respect

their urge to write. Judith Shakespeare’s story is not over. Women now, more than ever, have the

opportunity to live the life that Judith couldn’t.

DISCUSSION

Woolf's book A Room of One's Own is a significant and powerful book in feminist

writing. It is believed to be the first important writing in feminist criticism. During that time,

men were in control and had more power than women. They didn't have a job or their own

money. Therefore, they couldn't think freely. If they tried to write something, they were too

scared to sign their names on it. Women need to have a good education, a place to work and

enough money in order to be able to write. It is very important for women writers to be

independent in order to determine their position in the writing world. Yes, A Room focuses on

keeping things private and letting people do things on their own.

From the very beginning of the essay, Woolf asserts that "a woman must have a room of

her own if she is to write fiction" (Woolf, p.4). During that time, women didn't have their own

place or money to control their lives or show their skills. According to the narrator in A Room of

One's Own, the main barrier for women to have a room of their own is their financial situation.

Therefore, having money is very important. Women have not been able to express their creativity

because they do not have money, social status, or power. She says that in the past, women who

were smart couldn't write well because they didn't have enough money or privacy.
Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

This novel suggests that women must have financial independence in order to foster their

creativity. For women to be included in the literary tradition, they require equal access to

resources as men. They should have the same freedom to share their ideas and creativity as men

do. The book is considered feminist literature due to its exploration of the barriers women face in

accessing resources compared to men. The title means that women need their own space and

money to invest in their creative pursuits.

There are three themes in “A Room of One’s Own” that are focused on women:

● Financial Independence

○ Virginia's clearly indicating that she has money problems. Every year, she gets

some money from her aunt. Instead of working all the time, it allows her to have

more free time. Also, she doesn't have to worry about running out of money.

That's why she devotes so much of her time and energy to the pursuit of creativity,

such as writing. According to her, wealthy families have produced many

successful writers whose works have been published. Someone who's got a lot of

money can make an investment elsewhere.

Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

● Intellectual Freedom

○ Woolf's ability to write is connected to her ability to support herself financially.

She believes that, if she did not possess it, she would have had to cope with the

everyday tasks and responsibilities women are accustomed to. She can feel free in

her thoughts with no children or responsibilities. But it isn't just about getting

money, it's about having the freedom to be alone. Woolf can pay for her own

special room where she can be alone and not be bothered by other people. It will

help her focus better. She believes that by having privacy and no distractions, she

can control and use her brain better.

● Creating Literary Tradition for Women

○ Woolf encourages her audience of scholarly women to write and contribute to the

history of women writers. She's very fond of reading about different topics, and

wants to know more about them from a woman's point of view. Women have been

able to become successful novelists so far. Novels are a very new literary form.

Woolf thinks that women can write novels more easily than other types of writing

made by men.

“Indeed, I thought, slipping the silver into my purse, it is remarkable, remembering the bitterness

of those days, what a change of temper a fixed income will bring about. No force in the world

can take from me my five hundred pounds. Food, house and clothing are mine forever. Therefore

not merely do effort and labor cease, but also hatred and bitterness. I need not hate any man; he

cannot hurt me ” (Woolf, p.38)

Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

Money is very important in a woman's life, as this statement and many others show.

Women need money to be independent from men. Interruptions and lack of privacy can stop

them from being creative. Women may also spend a lot of time thinking about gender issues.

Aphara Behan is the first woman writer to make money from her writing. She helped 19th

century authors like Jane Austen to write books, even though they didn't have much privacy in

their family living rooms. Woolf thinks that many women writers today still write from a place of

anger or feeling unsure of themselves. In the future, when they have money and privacy, their

minds will be free and their genius will grow.

Woolf creates a made-up female character who is the main person in A Room of One's

Own. She wants the reader to call her by any name they like, such as "Mary Beton, Mary Seton,

Mary Carmichael" or any other name. In this literature, names aren't important. The most

important thing is what the nameless narrator is saying.

Woolf's most compelling point in the essay is her creation of Judith, Shakespeare's

hypothetical sister, to demonstrate the lack of opportunities for talented women.Just like Virginia

Woolf, who stayed at home while her brother went to school, Judith Shakespeare also remains at

home and is a dutiful girl. Woolf states that, “She was as imaginative to see the world as her

brother was. But she was not allowed to go to school” (p71). However, she was not permitted to

attend school. Additionally, Judith experiences a great deal of suffering from her father and

brothers. Judith's brother William goes to school, while she stays busy doing chores at home.
Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

In essence, A Room of One's Own is a powerful feminist writing piece that highlights the

importance of financial independence, intellectual freedom, and creating a literary tradition for

women. By providing a space for women to express themselves and grow their genius, this book

serves as a reminder of the importance of financial independence and the potential for women to

succeed in the literary world.

As for the Biographical theory which involves interpreting the novel “ A Room of One’s

Own” through Virginia Woolf life experiences and circumstances. It illuminates the connections

between the novel and the Author’s life for a deeper understanding.

In the novel, Woolf stated that “ A woman must have money and a room of her own if she

is to write a fiction”, emphasizing the importance of financial independence for women writers.

This can be clearly connected to her as a being part of the Bloomsbury Group, where literature

and being creative are central settings. This reflects both economic freedom and socio-economic

background. Her affluent background shapes her awareness of the material resources required for

creative endeavors.

In her arguments, she takes on the identities of fictional characters such as Mary Beton,

Mary Seton, and Mary Carmichael. This refers to a story about a woman in the 16th century who

was hanged for not wanting to get married and have children. This narrator called "Mary" says

that female writers like her are considered outsiders and are in danger. Soon, Woolf seems to stop

using these identities and she instead uses her own voice or point of view. As an author, Virginia

Woolf has stated that a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction

because in that way she will have the freedom that all women should have. Women having power

on their own is significant for them to be out of danger.

Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

Virginia Woolf shared her own experience of encountering a paper that says, “I thought

of that old gentleman … who declared that it was impossible for any woman, past, present, or to

come, to have the genius of Shakespeare. He wrote to the papers about it … Women cannot write

the plays of William Shakespeare.” This statement of the old gentleman has influenced Woolf to

create Judith Shakespeare; “She was as adventurous, as imaginative, as agog to see the world as

he was. But she was not sent to school.” Her brother makes his way in the world, while Judith is

trapped at home, her genius unfulfilled.

Woolf's insights on the anonymity of female authors demonstrate her deeper

understanding of the issues women faced, drawing parallels between her own experiences and

the challenges of women in the literary world. The line “I would venture to guess that Anon, who

wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman,” reflects Woolf’s feminist

leanings by challenging traditional gender roles in literature. In Woolf's real life, this statement

emphasizes her feminist viewpoint and support for acknowledging women's historical

contributions to writing. Woolf experienced challenges and limits as a woman in the early

twentieth century, and this sentence symbolizes her efforts to discover and recognize the hidden

voices of women authors throughout history. It is consistent with her wider exploration in the

piece of the institutional barriers that women confront when expressing themselves creatively.
Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

In the line "So long as you write what you wish to write, that is all that matters; and

whether it matters for ages or only for hours, nobody can say" from Virginia Woolf's "A Room

of One's Own" indicates Woolf’s attitude on the fundamental value of writing and creativity. This

statement demonstrates her belief in liberating and in the beneficial effects of personal

expression in writing. Woolf’s life was defined by a profound sense, the transient aspect of

existence. It implies that the act of writing, regardless of its long term significance, has innate

worth in the present. These perspectives reflect Woolf’s personal experiences and views on the

nature of time.

As a woman dealing with a patriarchal culture, Woolf was constrained by gender

standards. This line might be seen as a feminist statement proclaiming her mind's inviolable

liberation from society standards “ Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no

lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.” Virginia Woolf was part of the

Bloomsbury Group, a group of intellectuals who frequently challenged established norms and

customs. The line demonstrates Woolf's tendency to question social limits on intellectual

freedom, demonstrating her willingness to push boundaries and explore new ground in her

writing and thinking. Woolf was known for her unique and inventive approach to literature. This

remark demonstrates her dedication to individuality, implying that external attempts to limit

access to knowledge or ideas cannot obstruct the free flow of thinking within an individual's

mind.
Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

“Women – but are you not sick to death of the word?” Woolf says at the end of A Room

of One's Own, “I can assure you I am” (Woolf, 1929: 145). Women do not have the

independence to choose their role in society. Females need to put up a fight in order to make a

difference. These last words of Virginia Woolf in the novel certainly proves that what she shares

or argues in its content is certainly what she has experienced and felt.

In essence, the biographical approach in "A Room of One's Own" helps us comprehend the

essay by throwing emphasis on the emotional, societal, and intellectual backgrounds that

influenced Virginia Woolf's thoughts. It enables readers to realize the detailed connections

between the life of the writer and the ideas discussed in the novel, resulting in a more

comprehensive understanding of Woolf's recognized work.

CONCLUSION

A Room of One's Own skillfully combines clear reasoning and narrative storytelling. It

combines both seriousness and humor, and can vary from being boldly unconventional to

somewhat traditional. Throughout, Woolf pays particular attention not only to the social

constraints of a woman's life but also to her material situation. That's why, in her thesis, she

relies on the line that is at the heart of her argument: “A woman must have money and a room to

herself if she wants to write fiction.”

Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

Judith Shakespeare, who is a made-up sister of William Shakespeare, would not have

been able to become a famous writer. This is because women were not given the same

opportunities as men to get an education and support themselves financially. Instead, they were

taught to be wives and mothers. The most crucial goal for women was to get married as it

guaranteed financial stability.

Women were prohibited from having their own space or money before the late 1800s, as

the law stated that everything belonged to their husbands. They typically occupied themselves in

domestic areas such as the kitchen and had no authority over their own finances or belongings.

A Room of One's Own is often described as a feminist work, due to its strong focus on

the material restrictions against women that in turn prevent them from developing experience,

education or means necessary for becoming good writers. Virginia Woolf made continuous

efforts to encourage other women writers to embrace their unique voices and achieve success in

their careers. In her view, women writers possess the same level of creativity and power as men.

Woolf talks about how it's important for women to have their own space, money, and the

ability to pursue their art. By carefully observing and reflecting, she is able to make compelling

arguments. She says it's important for women to have a space where they can be themselves and

express their creativity without being held back by the expectations of society and men. In her

literature, Virginia Woolf advocates for the recognition and respect of women's contributions in

art and culture.

Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

Woolf seeks to promote fairness in society by pointing out the exclusivity of the literary

world and the unequal access to resources and opportunities. "A Room of One's Own" is a

powerful statement on women's liberation as it demonstrates the obstacles women have

encountered in both the past and present. Woolf's powerful writing and thought-provoking ideas

may have motivated numerous feminists to question and resist the restrictions that hinder

women's creativity.
Survey of English and American Literature
Bacurin, Jodielyn D. Ins. Rocio Marie M. Tejido, LPT
Caratihan, Zayra Jane C. BSEDEN 3-1

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Haynes, S. (2019). ‘It Had a Lifelong Effect on Her.’ A New Virginia Woolf Biography Deals

With the Author’s Experience of Childhood Sexual Abuse. Retrieved from:

https://time.com/5750614/virginia-woolf-biography/

Kog, C. (n.d.). A Feminist Study of A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf. Retrieved from:

https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/356890

Perdue, N. (2023). Virginia Woolf | Life, Works & Death. Retrieved from:

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StudySmarter (n.d.). A Room of One’s Own. Retrieved from:

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Zimmerman, T. (2014). The Politics of Writing, Writing Politics: Virginia Woolf’s A [Virtual]

Room of One’s Own. Retrieved from:

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