Motherhood and Empire Building in Virginia Woolf’s The Voyage Out
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Abstract
Contemporary interpretations of Virginia Woolf’s works increasingly emphasize the significance of political contexts. Her experiences with the threat of war and patriarchal oppression are evident throughout her fiction, beginning with her debut novel, The Voyage Out. This paper explores the impact of British Imperialism on female characters representing English women who faced heightened patriarchal constraints at the turn of the century, particularly in their role as mothers. Employin g socialist feminist and postcolonial theory, the analysis highlights the interconnectedness of British imperialism, patriarchy, and the psychological oppression of these women. Through the interaction of these power structures, English women emerge as both complicit and victims within this socio-political framework.
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