Essay Questions

How might we see Virginia Woolf as a modernist writer?

Virginia Woolf was writing at the beginning of the 20th Century, during the modernist movement in literature. Woolf is often considered to be a key modernist figure and the pioneer of the "stream of consciousness" narrative style. This device is where a character's thoughts and consciousness are presented to the reader in a continuous and uninterrupted flow. Their thoughts are not disrupted by dialogue or descriptions. Through this unique narrative style, often used by Virginia Woolf, we get a powerful insight into the mind and mental well-being of the character.

In addition to her use of modernist form, Woolf's novels often question the idea of objective truth. Her novels are incredibly subjective and often focus on the inner mind and perceptions of one or several complex characters. She reveals how subjective the experience of life is, and how there is no access to objective truth, which is another key aspect of modernism. For example, in this text she contrasts the conflicting values of intelligence and feelings through the characters of Helen and Rachel.

How is the character of Rachael presented in this novel?

Rachel is introduced onboard the ship that Helen and Ridley sail on to South America. She is Willoughby Vinrace's daughter, who is Helen's brother-in-law and the owner of the ship. When Helen meets Rachel, she thinks that she might be interesting if she "were ever to think, feel, laugh, or express herself." As such, we see that Helen heavily judges Rachel at the beginning of the novel, thinking of her as being unremarkable and boring. This being said, Rachel is described as being a talented pianist and as being emotionally intelligent.

Although Helen initially judges Rachel, she invites her niece to accompany herself and her husband to South America. At the request of Rachel's father, Helen is to encourage and teach Rachel how to be an individual and intelligent woman. Throughout the novel, we see her character progress and change, as she is affected by the events of the trip and the people around her. Although Rachel respects the importance of intelligence, she also understands the value of emotional intelligence and balanced life.