Virginia Woolf encapsulated the magic of storytelling when she stated, ‘There is nothing so wonderful in the world as telling stories.’ Her literary legacy remains pivotal, offering insights that continue to inspire and empower generations. The following text by Virginia Woolf explores the challenges and social expectations faced by women, particularly in the context of writing and creativity. She discusses the metaphor of the ‘angel in the house’, representing the ideal woman who is self-sacrificing and submissive, which often stifles women’s voices and ambitions.
Professions for Women, a speech Virginia Woolf gave at the
National Society for Women's Service in January 1931
When your secretary invited me to come here, she told me that your Society is concerned with the employment of women and she suggested that I might tell you something about my own professional experiences. It is true I am a woman; it is true I am employed; but what professional experiences have I had? It is difficult to say. My profession is literature; and in that profession there are fewer experiences for women than in any other, with the exception of the stage--fewer, I mean, that are peculiar to women. For the road was cut many years ago--by Fanny Burney, by Aphra Behn, by Harriet Martineau, by Jane Austen, by George Eliot--many famous women, and many more unknown and forgotten, have been before me, making the path smooth, and regulating my steps. Thus, when I came to write, there were very few material obstacles in my way. Writing was a reputable and harmless occupation. The family peace was not broken by the scratching of a pen. No demand was made upon the family purse. For ten and sixpence one can buy paper enough to write all the plays of Shakespeare--if one has a mind that way. Pianos and models, Paris, Vienna and Berlin, masters and mistresses, are not needed by a writer. The cheapness of writing paper is, of course, the reason why women have succeeded as writers before they have succeeded in the other professions.
But to tell you my story – it is a simple one. You have only got to figure to yourselves a girl in a bedroom with a pen in her hand. She had only to move that pen from left to right – from ten o'clock to one. Then it occurred to her to do what is simple and cheap enough after all – to slip a few of those pages into an envelope, fix a penny stamp in the corner, and drop the envelope into the red box at the corner. It was thus that I became a journalist; and my effort was rewarded on the first day of the following month – a very glorious day it was for me – by a letter from an editor containing a cheque for one pound ten shillings and sixpence. But to show you how little I deserve to be called a professional woman, how little I know of the struggles and difficulties of such lives, I have to admit that instead of spending that sum upon bread and butter, rent, shoes and stockings, or butcher's bills, I went out and bought a cat – a beautiful cat, a Persian cat, which very soon involved me in bitter disputes with my neighbours.
What could be easier than to write articles and to buy Persian cats with the profits? But wait a moment. Articles have to be about something. Mine, I seem to remember, was about a novel by a famous man. And while I was writing this review, I discovered that if I were going to review books I should need to do battle with a certain phantom. And the phantom was a woman, and when I came to know her better I called her after the heroine of a famous poem, The Angel in the House. It was she who used to come between me and my paper when I was writing reviews. It was she who bothered me and wasted my time and so tormented me that at last I killed her. You who come of a younger and happier generation may not have heard of her – you may not know what I mean by the Angel in the House.
And it continues.
However, navigating the complexities of womanhood can be challenging. The metaphor of the ‘angel in the house’ represents the multifaceted nature of women, acting as a guiding light. Virginia Woolf’s legacy encourages women to uplift each other, creating opportunities for success. She sought to explore the depths of experience beyond conventional narratives. Woolf was intrigued by the underlying realities of life, often dissecting fragments that traditional storytelling overlooks. Her conversations with art critic Roger Fry and her sister Vanessa Bell delved into the representation of reality, challenging the notion that stories must adhere to a linear structure.
Woolf’s work captures the complexity of human experience, reflecting how individuals live in multiple time zones simultaneously, managing memories of the past, present, and future. This non-linear perception of time is a central theme in her writing. In To the Lighthouse, the section ‘Time Passes’ exemplifies how time influences our material reality, from the growth of ivy to the creeping dampness of a house. These details evoke memories and emotions, illustrating the intricate life of the mind.
The impact of Woolf’s work resonates deeply, especially among modern mothers who face societal expectations and the internal struggle of fulfilling those roles. While Woolf did not write specifically about motherhood, her themes of identity and personal struggle can be profoundly relevant to contemporary experiences. She's relevant today and in how she can still help us face many challenges. Virginia Woolf was a fighter. She fought all her life to challenge conventions of her time and defend women's freedom to write and create. She was above all an activist who faced the social, economic, emotional problems that hindered women with unfailing courage. She had an invincible desire for change so that in our world today, women can access their full creative potential and intellectual freedom.
Wolf eventually became a successful writer. She fully understood that one must first find solitude to allow great ideas to flow freely, opening up a world of possibilities. It’s there that the mind thrives, in those open spaces that are essential for creativity to flourish. Achieving this requires time, financial stability, and a supportive environment. The desire to be a pioneer, to create a love letter to life, drives women forward, and that’s what Wolf did so well. She knew that art wasn’t optional; she’s always known that in our darkest moments, art supports us, teaches us, and helps us live with and understand our fellow human beings.
Virginia Woolf's life and work stand as a testament to the transformative power of imagination and intellectual courage, inspiring generations of women to rethink their place in a male dominated world. Her sister, Vanessa Bell, expressed a parallel resilience and creativity through her art, particularly in the painting A Conversation, 1913-16 . While Woolf wielded words to challenge social and cultural norms norms and explore the complexities of the human psyche, Bell used colour, form, and composition to capture the essence of connection and dialogue. Together, they redefined the boundaries of expression, showing that women's voices—whether through literature or visual art—are vital to the rewriting of history. A Conversation epitomises this shared legacy, with its portrayal of women engaged in an intimate, yet dynamic exchange that transcends time, much like Woolf’s writing. As we reflect on their contributions, we are reminded that the ‘angel of the house’ is indeed fading, making way for women to navigate an ocean of possibilities with courage and creativity, just as they did.
Virginia Woolf, A Conversation, c. 1913-16, Oil on canvas