Virginia Woolf’s Contribution to Feminism

In addition to reminding the female of the social insecurity, Woolf also calls for the female to strive for their access to education (Bishop, 1989). In A Room of One’s Own, Woolf discusses the possibility for a woman to produce works comparable to Shakespeare’s. At the same time, she reveals the actual living status of the female and calls for a female struggle out of the patriarchal ruling (Woolf, 1929).

Unlike some other writers, Woolf admits the literary value in economy. She encourages the female to write and then sell their works in exchange of money. As for herself, she is determined to support herself and improve her living standard by writing and selling books (Ratt, 2001). And the fact is that Woolf does succeed in improving her life by doing so. In 1930, Woolf, together with her husband made a careful analysis on her income. To their surprise, she has earned 3,020 pounds, the number of a yearly amount of a public officer’s income within half a year. Being economically independent, Woolf no longer restrains herself within the family. She travels around the world and widens her horizon a lot. In return, her experiences inspire her in writing. Gradually, Woolf becomes more influential because of her wealth and her literary contribution.

To advocate feminism, Virginia Woolf tries every means to protect other women. It is partly because of Woolf’s success that the English Congress decides to eliminate corresponding rules concerning with the female occupation. Thanks to Virginia and her persistence in feminism, all women are allowed to choose their own jobs regardless of the family interference. It is Virginia and her insistence of feminism that promote female independence.

Virginiaalso brings changes to the female’s writing environment. In the past, women are mostly connected with housework. A woman is supposed to belong to a living room and kitchen instead of one’s own room. Therefore, even if a woman decides to write for herself, she can hardly acquire a suitable place. Just as Johnson puts forward, most female writers, like Jane Austen, have to bear terrible writing conditions and endure interruptions frequently (Johnson, 1865). Given that, Virginia Woolf maintains the necessity for a woman to have her own room, either for her spiritual freedom or literary creation. It is Woolf’s insistence that pervades and results in the widely acceptance of the idea that a woman should have her own room. In this way, Woolf helps in improving the female’s writing and living conditions.