Virginia Woolf took her life in March 1941. Her fear that she would no longer be able to live meaningfully, according to her ideals and particular vision of life, forced her to choose death as salvation. To her, death was not an ending. The spirit above all had to be preserved. Like her character Septimus Warren Smith, under the strain of mental illness, she threw her life away in order to preserve that which was most sacred to her – life and integrity of the soul.
Probably it seems to be a contradiction - to destroy one’s life in an effort to save it. There are many such paradoxes in Virginia Woolf’s thinking, due to her emotional nature and to her special way of looking at life, time, and space that shapes reality itself. In this vision of life as an eternal process, the concepts of time and space, invented by man, have no meaning, because reality exists outside of them. By passing his temporal life man views all things in relation to himself and his life on the earth. But it is rather difficult to squeeze one’s life among birth and death, for man permanently organises his experience into rather relative formulations of interweaving time and space. And reality, as viewed by Virginia Woolf, includes the whole expanse of space and time, and every living form brings its historic and prehistoric past into the ever-flowing stream of life. The present moment is never isolated, because it is filled with very preceding moment, and is constantly in the process of change. Time flows with the stream, having neither beginning nor end. Reality is actually timeless and spaceless, because it contains all space and all time.
Believing in the eternal process, Virginia Woolf also demanded a revolution in literary technique and subject matter. She reconsidered personality, language, plot and structure in a new light. Personality was continuously in the process of taking shape and could not be accomplished by external descriptions. Language had to convey the emotions and perceptions of different levels of awareness all at the same moment, revealing the unconscious as well as the conscious things. Plot had to be eliminated, since action held no interest. The only thing that mattered was the inner life. Filled with the “moments of being”, it revealed to a person the pattern behind the woolly curtain of existence and through it, connected him to the other people and the outer world.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1. Woolf's concept of time(s)
- 2. Time in "Mrs. Dalloway"
- 2.1. “Tunnelling process” through “the characters' caves”
- 2.2. The unifying character of Big Ben
- 3. Time in "Moments of Being"
- 3.1. Correlation of the past and the present
- 3.2. Juxtaposing moments of “being” and “non-being”
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines Virginia Woolf's unique conception of time and its manifestation in her literary works, particularly "Mrs. Dalloway" and "Moments of Being." It explores how Woolf’s understanding of time, influenced by Bergsonian philosophy, shapes her narrative techniques and character development.
- Woolf's reimagining of time as subjective and fluid, rejecting linear chronology.
- The interplay between internal (psychological) and external (chronological) time in Woolf's novels.
- The use of time as a narrative device to connect seemingly disparate characters and events.
- The relationship between Woolf's concept of time and her exploration of consciousness.
- The role of time in Woolf's broader philosophical and literary project.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Virginia Woolf's concept of time. It establishes the context of Woolf's life and her paradoxical approach to life and death, connecting it to her unique perspective on time and space. The chapter introduces the central theme of the paper: Woolf’s rejection of conventional linear time in favor of a more fluid and subjective understanding of temporality, influenced by modernist philosophers. It highlights Woolf's innovative literary techniques used to represent this concept.
1.1. Woolf's concept of time(s): This section delves into Woolf's philosophical underpinnings, specifically her engagement with Henri Bergson's concept of *durée*. It contrasts Bergson's ideas of historical (external, linear) and psychological (internal, subjective) time, showing how Woolf adapts and expands upon this framework. The chapter highlights how external events trigger and release inner life, creating a temporal experience much richer and longer than the chronological event itself. The section also emphasizes Woolf's manipulation of fictional time to control and represent the uncontrollable flow of psychological time.
2. Time in “Mrs. Dalloway”: This chapter analyzes the portrayal of time in Woolf's novel, "Mrs. Dalloway." It discusses how the novel unfolds over a single day, yet simultaneously explores the depths of characters' consciousnesses, highlighting the interplay between external events and internal experiences. The role of Big Ben as a unifying element, marking chronological time while simultaneously connecting the consciousnesses of various characters, is explored. The chapter also examines the novel’s narrative structure, demonstrating how Woolf’s technique connects seemingly unconnected stories, creating a complex and layered portrayal of human experience.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Virginia Woolf, time, consciousness, *durée*, psychological time, chronological time, narrative technique, modernist literature, "Mrs. Dalloway," "Moments of Being," inner life, stream of consciousness.
Virginia Woolf's Conception of Time: A Comprehensive Language Preview - FAQ
What is the main topic of this language preview?
This preview analyzes Virginia Woolf's unique understanding and portrayal of time in her literary works, specifically focusing on "Mrs. Dalloway" and "Moments of Being." It explores how her conception of time, influenced by Bergsonian philosophy, shapes her narrative techniques and character development.
What are the key themes explored in the preview?
The key themes include Woolf's rejection of linear chronology in favor of a subjective and fluid experience of time; the interplay between internal (psychological) and external (chronological) time; the use of time as a narrative device to connect seemingly disparate characters and events; the relationship between Woolf's concept of time and her exploration of consciousness; and the role of time in Woolf's broader philosophical and literary project.
Which works of Virginia Woolf are analyzed in detail?
The preview primarily analyzes "Mrs. Dalloway" and "Moments of Being," examining how Woolf represents time within these specific texts.
How does Woolf's concept of time relate to Bergsonian philosophy?
The preview explores Woolf's engagement with Henri Bergson's concept of *durée*, contrasting Bergson's ideas of historical (external, linear) and psychological (internal, subjective) time. It shows how Woolf adapts and expands upon this framework to represent the richness and complexity of psychological time in her novels.
What narrative techniques does Woolf employ to represent her concept of time?
The preview discusses Woolf's innovative narrative techniques, such as the stream of consciousness, to depict the subjective and fluid nature of time. It also analyzes how she uses external events to trigger and release inner life, creating a temporal experience that transcends simple chronology. The role of Big Ben in "Mrs. Dalloway" as a unifying element connecting various characters' consciousnesses is explored.
What is the structure of the language preview?
The preview provides a comprehensive overview including a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. Each section offers a detailed explanation of Woolf's approach to time and its manifestation in her writing.
What are the key terms and concepts used in the analysis?
Key terms include: Virginia Woolf, time, consciousness, *durée*, psychological time, chronological time, narrative technique, modernist literature, "Mrs. Dalloway," "Moments of Being," inner life, and stream of consciousness.
What is the purpose of this language preview?
This language preview serves as an introduction and guide to understanding Virginia Woolf's unique conception of time. It aims to provide a structured and professional analysis of the themes present in her work for academic use.
What is the intended audience for this language preview?
This preview is intended for academic use, supporting the analysis of themes in a structured and professional manner.
- Quote paper
- Nataliya Gudz (Author), 2005, Concepts of Time in Virginia Woolf, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/40732
