Abstract

This thesis provides a thematic reading of select autobiographical and theoretical works by Virginia Woolf. It utilizes Deleuze and Guattari’s philosophy of the rhizome as a methodological framework. The rhizome does not have a hierarchal structure but is rather interconnected. In the same way, the chapters interweave the multi-disciplinary theoretical approaches to connect the disparate factions of the modernist writer’s mind and life.

The early twentieth century saw the rise of post-suffrage writers with narratives that diverged from male-centric values. Woolf is one of the writers who makes a clear distinction between male and female values by championing women’s experiences and struggles. She argues for female economic independence, through education and employment opportunities. In addition, she emphasizes the importance of female intellectual production to bridge the gap between men’s and women’s voices in history.

The theme of mental health is discussed by analyzing Woolf’s fiction and non-fiction writings on the topic. Given her struggles with manic depressive disorder, known contemporarily as bipolar disorder (BD), she also serves as a case study for the condition and how it is linked to creativity. By following her writing style and feminist views on her society, light is shed on mental health struggles in the early twentieth century and compared to contemporary theories.

As Woolf lived through a tumultuous period of British history, she witnessed the rise of the emotionally expressive modernist movement and became one of its most prominent literary figures. The movement utilized a literary device known as stream-of-consciousness writing; an approach to consciousness proposed by American psychologist William James. Thus, psychology and mental health were vital to her use of language and central to her written works, which provided insight into her psyche.

School

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department

English & Comparative Literature Department

Degree Name

MA in English & Comparative Literature

Graduation Date

Spring 6-21-2023

Submission Date

5-17-2023

First Advisor

Ferial J. Ghazoul

Committee Member 1

Tahia Abdel Nasser

Committee Member 2

Hala Kamal

Extent

67 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

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