Feminist Writers and Their Important Works: Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own"

There weren't many women writers in world literature in the 19th century. This is because of the female roles at that time. Their place in society was called the "angel of the house." It was challenging for them to even have a say, rather than writing a book. Besides, the role of women was nothing more than taking care of their husbands and children. They couldn't take part in society, get a job, or defend their rights. However, many feminist female writers have emerged to break this idea from all over the world.

When feminist woman writer is mentioned, Virginia Woolf is one of the first names that comes to mind in England. She has produced remarkably important works for the next century. Virginia Woolf has been a voice with her works for many women. Among the books she has written, the most known as a feminist book is A Room of One's Own. To strengthen women's role in literature, she paved the way. It has a great influence on the next generations as well. The importance of this work in literature is undeniable. It was an inspiration not only for the women of its period but also for the women of the future periods.

A Room of One’s Own is an extended essay written by Virginia Woolf. It was first published in 1929. It makes several key arguments, in particular: the social and economic conditions that are necessary for writing, the problem of a tradition of women’s writing, and the concept of a female sentence emphasizing women’s voices and values. This essay is based on two lectures that Virginia delivered at women’s colleges. In this work, she examines the women’s role in literature. It is an important feminist book. The fact that its subject is "women and literature" makes the book concrete knowledge. 

The best-known quote from the book is “A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction." Much of her argument was brought out through fiction writing about women's "unsolved problems" to conclude. By expressing this, she refers to the nature of women and fiction writing. The essay argues that it is both a literary and figurative field for female writers within a male-dominated literary tradition. 

With this work, Virginia Woolf uses metaphors to investigate social injustices and expresses her criticism of women's lack of freedom of expression. She was increasingly angered by masculine condescension to female talent. In A Room of One’s Own, Virginia Woolf blamed women’s absence from history not on their lack of brains and talent but on their poverty. The imaginary Judith Shakespeare's figure she created in this book was written to break the taboo of female roles at that time.

However, it is seen in the book that Judith Shakespeare is condemned to a tragic fate just because she is a woman. The author creates this character to show that a woman with Shakespeare's abilities would be denied the opportunity to improve them by society. Although she is smart, talented, and powerful, just like Shakespeare, she has no place in society. At the same time, the character of Judith represents every woman of the era.

Like the writer Virginia Woolf, Judith stayed at home and watched her brother William attend school. Whereas Judith was as smart, creative, and adventurous as William, her life wasn't full of success because there was always an obstacle in her way. While William goes to school, Judith is punished by her family for abandoning some of the household chores that she inevitably had to attend. When Judith doesn't want to marry, her father beats her and embarrasses her in marriage. While William sets up his own life, Judith falls into the trap of what is expected of women.

However, she doesn't want to submit to her fate and runs away from home, harassed and bullied while trying to become an actor. At the end of the book, Judith can't bear her life and kills herself. As all this happens to Judith, William lives and establishes his legacy. Virginia Woolf touched on a very important subject by creating this character. Also, she invites her readers to engage with her in exploring those problems.

In addition, the author makes it clear in the book that women are prevented from writing because of their poverty. That is to say, she believes that financial freedom can make a huge contribution to women's lives, and it will bring freedom for women to write. Virginia Woolf deduces her conclusion and suggestion for a solution from these interconnected issues: the existence of a patriarchal order, the absence of women in history, inequalities in education, and the issue of gender and male dominance in literature, by saying that women need a room of their own.

Another important issue is making money. The author emphasizes that women should be financially independent to understand their individuality and realize that they are free individuals. Virginia Woolf says that the reason she could get out of the patriarchal order is because of her access to money. The author also said that material things like “room and money” would help women to be creative and write freely without psychological discomfort.

Virginia Woolf is seen as an important woman writer not only in her own time but also in the present. She expressed her thoughts and ideas freely, as opposed to the women of her time. In doing so, Woolf has been an example and inspiration for other women. She is a feminist and believes that women should stand up for their rights. According to Woolf, feminism summarizes not only women's self-expression but also their desires and rights to debate for their place in society. Virginia Woolf believed in the strength of the individual and made an effort to encourage women to trust themselves.

Source:

Woolf, V. (2000). A room of one’s own. Penguin Books. (Original work published 1929)