Virginia Woolf's Novels and the Literary Past

This book argues that Woolf’s preoccupation with the literary past had a profound impact on the content and structure of her novels.

This book argues that Woolf's preoccupation with the literary past had a profound impact on the content and structure of her novels.

''A number of interesting and powerful themes emerge in this study of Virginia Woolf''s relation to the literary past . . . The strong account of Woolf''s relation to tradition in Virginia Woolf''s Novels and the Literary Past will surely facilitate further study of the gender politics of Modernism.'' --Times Literary Supplement

''An important intervention at a time in which there is particular interest in Woolf''s relationship to the past.''--Professor Laura Marcus, University of Sussex

''Essential and intellectually provocative reading for Woolf scholars and for common readers alike.''--Vara Neverow, University of Connecticut

This is the first book to explore Virginia Woolf''s preoccupation with the literary past and its profound impact on the content and structure of her novels.

It analyses Woolf''s reading and writing practices via her essays, diaries and reading notebooks and presents chronological studies of eight of her novels, exploring how Woolf''s intensive reading surfaced in her fiction. The book sheds light on Woolf''s varied and intricate use of literary allusions; examines ways in which Woolf revisited and revised plots and tropes from earlier fiction; and looks at how she used parody as a means both of critical comment and homage.