Abstract

Virginia Woolf has been all but neglected in educational philosophy, yet she speaks to education and training continually in her writing. This study will analyze a pattern of thought in Woolf's writing that contains a central core. By comparing and contrasting Woolf's thoughts and words, this study will peel away outside influences and explore this core, what I will call a philosophical theory of education. ;A review of the available literature reveals various avenues of thought and interpretation regarding Virginia Woolf. They are grouped as follows: patriarchy, fascism, war, and death, feminism; sexuality, gender, androgyny, and power, and finally civilization, symbolism, personal identification, and subversion. Not satisfied with these interpretations I propose to identify implicit education theories within Woolf's work by answering the following questions: Upon what grounds does Virginia Woolf base her critique of modern society? In what ways does her personal experience contribute to that critique? How does Woolf view education as being able to respond to her critique? Does Virginia Woolf's fiction differ from her nonfiction in their account of modern society and education, and if so, in what ways? ;This study is one of interpretive research focusing on Virginia Woolf's original writing, fiction and non fiction, aiming to uncover her views regarding the education of her time as influenced by her society and world issues. ;This study provides a new interpretation within an educational context of one of this century's most brilliant writers whose work is continually being re-read to produce new and innovative theories and reflections of our world. Because Woolf's work is fluid and her beliefs fluent, she is a viable resource for a variety of disciplines ranging from feminism to classical literature, always alive and changing with the times. A new interpretation of her work will prove valuable for generations as we prepare for a world of extreme demographic variety. While central to 20th century feminism, her interest was not gender selective as she had as much concern for her brothers' education as for her own. Woolf's belief that each of us is an untapped resource exemplifies our diverse yet inclusive position in a global economy as we approach the 21st century