A Room of One's Own Virginia Woolf Quotes

Virginia Woolf

Quote 1

Fiction here is likely to contain more truth than fact. Therefore I propose, making use of all the liberties and licenses of a novelist, to tell you the story of the two days that preceded my coming here. (1.1)

This is not the kind of answer you can give to your parents about why you're home late. But is there a way that fiction is more universal than fact? Have you ever changed up a story so you could tell the truth better?

Virginia Woolf

Quote 2

I am going to develop in your presence as fully and freely as I can the train of thought that led me to think [that a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction]. (1.1)

Woolf puts her money where her mouth is: she's not just going to tell us that it's important to try to think and write as freely as possible, she's going to show us, too.

Virginia Woolf

Quote 3

How can I further encourage you to go about the business of life? Young women, I would say [...] you are, in my opinion, disgracefully ignorant. You have never made a discovery of any sort of importance. [...] The plays of Shakespeare are not by you, and you have never introduced a barbarous race to the blessings of civilisation. What is your excuse? (6.20)

We can always count on Woolf to finish things on an uplifting note. Not. Why do you think she offers this discouraging kind of encouragement (besides as a joke)? Is she being sarcastic, or is there a hint of seriousness here?