Politics and Aesthetics in the Diary of Virginia Woolf (Studies in Major Literary Authors) (Studies in Major Literary Authors)

In this critical study, Tidwell examines the conflict of aesthetics and politics in The Diary of Virginia Woolf. As a modernist writer concerned with contemporary aesthetic theories, Woolf experimented with limiting the representative nature of writing. At the same time, as a feminist, Woolf wanted to incorporate her political interests in her fiction, but overt political statement conflicted with her aesthetic ideals. Her solution was to combine innovative narrative techniques and subject matter traditionally associated with women. Tidwell analyzes several of Woolf’s novels, including To the Lighthouse, Jacob’s Room, and Between the Acts to elucidate the diary’s technique and form, as well as to cast it as a valuable contribution to Woolf’s canon. "Politics and Aesthetics in The Diary of Virginia Woolf" examines the conflict of aesthetics and politics in "The Diary of Virginia Woolf". As a modernist writer concerned with contemporary aesthetic theories, Woolf experimented with limiting the representative nature of writing. As a feminist, Woolf wanted to incorporate her political interests in her fiction, but overt political statement conflicted with her aesthetic ideals. Her solution was to combine innovative narrative techniques and subject matter traditionally associated with women. Tidwell analyzes several of Woolf's novels, including "To the Lighthouse", "Jacob's Room", and "Between the Acts" to elucidate the diary's technique and form and to explain the diary as a valuable contribution to Woolf's canon Introduction: Almost A Face Of Its Own: The Diary Of Virginia Woolf 1 -- Chapter 1 But My Diary Has Ever Been Scornful Of Stated Rules! The Diary As Self In Virginia Woolf's Diary 8 -- Chapter 2 The Store House Of His Most Private Self: The Diary Of Virginia Woolf In Context 31 -- Chapter 3 What Sort Of Diary Should I Like Mine To Be? The Diaries Of Virgina Woolf, Katherine Mansfield, And Vera Brittain 52 -- Chapter 4 Little Waves That Life Makes: Virginia Woolf's Diary And Feminist Modernist Aesthetics 71 -- Conclusion: I'm Aware Of Something Permanent & Real In My Existence: Possibilities For Virginia Woolf's Diary 102. Joanne Campbell Tidwell. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 111-115) And Index. Language & Literature Book Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Permissions 8 Acknowledgments 10 Introduction: "Almost a face of its own" 12 Chapter One "But my diary has ever been scornful of stated rules!": The Diary as Self in Woolf's Diary 19 Chapter Two "The store house of his most private self": The Diary of Virginia Woolf in Context 42 Chapter Three "What sort of diary should I like mine to be?": The Diaries of Virginia Woolf, Katherine Mansfield, and Vera Brittain 63 Chapter Four "Little waves that life makes": Virginia Woolf's Diary and Feminist-Modernist Aesthetics 82 Conclusion "I'm aware of something permanent & real in my existence" 113 Notes 120 Bibliography 122 Index 128 This study of Virginia Woolf’s diary examines how Woolf resolved the conflict of expressing political viewpoints with her aesthetic goals, focusing on how that struggle played out in her diary.