The Unsolved Problem: Anger and Female Authorship

Presenter Information

Ryann Eastman, Oberlin College

Location

Science Center, A247

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

4-25-2014 2:45 PM

End Date

4-25-2014 3:45 PM

Abstract

In A Room of One’s Own, Virginia Woolf addresses “the unsolved problem”: what is the true nature of women and fiction? Although the question remains unanswered, she discusses how the female artist can achieve success in a male-dominated market. I outline my interpretation of Woolf’s advice and demonstrate how her philosophy manifested in fictional works. I further discuss the role of anger and Woolf’s assertion that, in order to write honestly, a woman must speak outside of her repression. Lastly, I address Woolf’s possible self-censorship and consider whether modern female authors ought to follow her example today.

Notes

Session II, Panel 11 - A Voice of One’s Own: Reflections on Writing, “Coming Out,” and Composing
Moderator: Jan Miyake, Conservatory Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Music Theory

Major

Creative Writing; English

Advisor(s)

Sylvia Watanabe, Creative Writing
David Walker, English

Project Mentor(s)

Harrod Suarez, English

April 2014

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Apr 25th, 2:45 PM Apr 25th, 3:45 PM

The Unsolved Problem: Anger and Female Authorship

Science Center, A247

In A Room of One’s Own, Virginia Woolf addresses “the unsolved problem”: what is the true nature of women and fiction? Although the question remains unanswered, she discusses how the female artist can achieve success in a male-dominated market. I outline my interpretation of Woolf’s advice and demonstrate how her philosophy manifested in fictional works. I further discuss the role of anger and Woolf’s assertion that, in order to write honestly, a woman must speak outside of her repression. Lastly, I address Woolf’s possible self-censorship and consider whether modern female authors ought to follow her example today.