The Female Virtues And Greatness In Mrs. Ramsay

It is of great significance to have a close study on Virginia Woolf's literary works, because her point of view was always progressive and open-minded, and she encouraged others to liberate their minds likewise. Famous as a leader of the "Bloomsbury Group," she was not only a renowned novelist and literary critic, but also a fighter revolting against what she called "materialism" of major British realistic novelists of the early 1900s, and against the male-dominant cultural tradition in the West.Woolf has universally been recognized as one of the forerunners of the feminist writers. Unlike other schools of feminists, she never goes to extremes. So her feminist view is both objective and advanced. In her literary creations she experimented constantly and tried her best to foreground female characters with their virtues so as to counter attack the social value of the patriarchal society. In her opinion, a woman should not only develop her mind but also keep her unique virtues in such a way that she may raise her voice and social status. In addition, she believes that an accomplished person, especially a writer, should possess the fine qualities of both a man and a woman, which might be termed as her androgynous feminist view. This view is highly commendable, for it holds no prejudice against either sex and offers a broader vision that before in combining two perspectives. To the Lighthouse, published in 1927, was the second success of her career and exemplifies her principal feminist views.With the literary technique of stream of consciousness and the accumulation of many details, the novel creates a strong feeling of intensity in the characterization of Mrs. Ramsay. The traits of Mrs. Ramsay's character actually resemble those of Woolf's mother as well as those of Woolf herself. Being the most brilliant and impressive character, Mrs. Ramsay is endowed with such virtues and greatness as her beauty, intelligence, keen sense of responsibility, devotion, tolerance, social concern and kindness. She says little, but her silence is an effective means to resist the male dominance. She does much for the benefit of others and thinks a lot, which prove her intelligent and profound mind. Therefore, it is not surprising to say that Mrs. Ramsay is one of Wooirs ideal women and the incarnation of her feminism.