An extraordinary mind: Why read Virginia Woolf?

In honor of International Women's Day, the editorial team at ELLE Oʻzbekiston pays tribute to one of the most remarkable literary figures of the 20th century – Virginia Woolf. Her work has become a symbol of women’s rights and self-actualization, and her progressive ideas on women’s place in society and literature continue to inspire generations. We spoke with Mine Özyurt Kılıç, a professor of English Literature, a pioneer in Virginia Woolf studies in Turkey, founder of the Woolf Arts Archive, translator of Woolf’s works, and a board member of the International Virginia Woolf Society.

Photo by Can Akgümüş. Mine Özyurt Kılıç, a pioneer in the study of Woolf's work in Turkey

ELLE: What drew you to Virginia Woolf’s work?

Virginia Woolf captivated me not only as a brilliant writer, seamlessly shifting between genres, but also as a thinker deeply attuned to history, tradition, and the consciousness of her own time. She was a woman who understood her place in society – as a writer, a critic, a thinker, a publisher, and a witness of her era. This makes her a visionary, capable of anticipating future trends.

As a young woman navigating the constraints of traditional society while seeking self-fulfillment, I found in her works not just a source of intellectual nourishment but a guide to freedom.

Her writing questions identity and existence as a universal human concern, and does it not just from a female perspective. Over the years, as I’ve immersed myself in her short stories, novels, diaries, letters, and essays, some of which she began writing at a very young age, Woolf continues to evolve in my mind, always reshaping herself in new ways.

As a woman who lived through the devastating aftermath of war, she foresaw the inevitability of another one and was certain of her inability to deal with it. Her decision to take her own life left a deep impression on me, sparking- as it seems- a life-long contemplation.

I believe that a person capable of noticing both the tiniest snail in the grass and her own reflection in the mirror, while also comprehending global conflicts, writes not just for self-expression, but to communicate with the world, to capture the essence of human existence. Woolf creates a refuge for those who feel unheard and unseen. Through her repeated visits of such themes, she does, to use a term from Hillis Miller, an act of “raising the dead”.This is the root of her literary and cultural influence and the reason I will never tire of reading her.

Photo: Harvard Theatre Collection, Houghton Library

ELLE: How did you first encounter Woolf’s work, and what impact did it have on you?

I first encountered Woolf in 1987, as a young woman in search of her own identity and existential answers. Those years felt like a wandering soul lost on a winding path – I was struggling with an inner crisis while also trying to carve out a space of my own. When I read “A Room of One’s Own”, her words enveloped me like a friend’s embrace:

"When womanhood is no longer a protected profession, anything may happen."

With this embrace, she became a surrogate mother, pointing me toward a path I hadn’t fully recognized before. And like her, I began to wonder what if a writer as powerful as William Shakespeare had a sister who shared his passion for theater, who dreamed of becoming a writer, but was never given the chance. Woolf articulated the injustice of limited opportunities so vividly and truthfully that she made me think in her idiom: “Why do we spend our time on household duties – cooking, cleaning, washing, and serving the needs of our brothers and fathers, instead of devoting that time to reading, learning, or to a profession that truly fulfills and advances us?”

In other words, Woolf was not just a literary figure I admired; she became a mentor, guiding me toward the discovery of my own identity. She offered me an empowering perspective on both my personal and professional journey.

ELLE: In your opinion, what are the most relevant themes in Woolf’s works today?

Themes of womanhood, identity, emancipation, mental and spiritual well-being, memory, and the awareness of the moments we live in remain central. Unfortunately, the struggle against gender stereotypes and the need for women to carve out their own space in society are still among the most pressing issues of our time, which means the ideas presented in “A Room of One’s Own” (1929) are as relevant as ever. Woolf wrote about how men often need to see women as weak in order to feel strong, and how women can only fully harness their creative potential and produce professional work when they find time beyond the domestic and emotional labor society deems their "duty." Even today, access to education and experience for women remains unequal compared to men of the same social and economic standing. This is a reality we still grapple with, nearly a century later. Woolf’s keen awareness of these issues continues to influence contemporary writers, reminding us that the fight for true equality is far from over.

Photo courtesy of Woolf Arts Archive, design by Tuğba Çanakçı

ELLE: How do you interpret Woolf’s views on femininity and feminism?

I see Woolf’s feminist perspective as a clear call for women to achieve both intellectual and financial independence. It’s not just a theoretical stance but a practical guide to life.

In her works, she emphasizes that women must find their voice and space to truly exist. Through her novels, she delves into the inner worlds of women, exploring how they see themselves and the world around them. She does this from her debut novel, The Voyage Out, to her later works such as Orlando, Mrs. Dalloway, To the Lighthouse, Three Guineas, and Between the Acts. We can undoubtedly consider her a philosopher of womanhood, someone who established and expanded feminist thought through literature with remarkable depth and foresight.

ELLE: What do you think about Woolf’s writing style? What makes it unique?

She poses a crucial question: Isn’t writing bound by stereotypes, fixed forms, and traditional methods a form of tyranny? Don’t we escape life when we subdue? In her essay “Modern Fiction”, Woolf boldly answers this question, asserting that a novelist must liberate both her mind and pen. She believes that a writer should not only capture external reality but also explore the inner worlds, revealing life as a complex, unique, and ever-changing organism waiting to be perceived. If we forget this, she argues, what we write becomes lifeless- merely an object without a soul.

ELLE: What impact has Virginia Woolf had on modern literature?

Virginia Woolf revolutionized literature. Her use of stream-of-consciousness and ability to transcend the boundaries of reality introduced new perspectives that shaped contemporary writers and artists. Her work continues to inspire novelists, scholars, and creators across disciplines, challenging them to see the world differently. Woolf’s influence goes beyond ideas and style – many of her works have been reinterpreted and adapted across different genres, proving that she remains as relevant and alive as ever.

Photo: Hulton Archive

ELLE: Are there any modern writers you believe have been influenced by Virginia Woolf’s work?

Yes! To name just a few, writers such as Clarice Lispector, Angela Carter, and Jeanette Winterson, scholars like Maggie Humm and Susan Sellers, her devoted readers like Katharine Smyth and Eleonora Tarabella have rewritten or expanded upon her feminist ideas and psychological depth in their works. Another example is Maggie Gee with her wonderful novel Virginia Woolf in Manhattan, a modern reinterpretation of Orlando, partially set in Istanbul.

In Turkey, Erendiz Atasu, Tomris Uyar, Tezer Özlü, and Sevgi Soysal have also drawn inspiration from Woolf’s stylistic techniques and her intricate exploration of female identity.

Also, Ertuğ Uçar, after visiting Godrevy Lighthouse, a place deeply tied to Woolf’s childhood, reexamined his creative approach while working on lighthouses as an architect. This experience led him to write “Woolf’un İzinde”, a narrative that reflects his artistic evolution shaped by her influence.

Countless other examples exist across different countries – Japan, France, Germany, and Brazil– spanning various literary genres. I am currently co-editing a book The Edinburgh Companion to Virginia Woolf and Transnational Perspectives, set for publication in September this year, which will explore Woolf’s global impact.

Woolf’s texts have been reimagined across multiple art forms too, including cinema, theater, dance, fashion, painting, and music. Through the Woolf Arts Archive, a digital platform I founded, we can witness how her ideas continue to evolve through different artistic mediums. Observing the sheer global impact of her work only reinforces that we are, without a doubt, dealing with a true genius.

Photo: Wikipedia, Godrevy Lighthouse

ELLE: Are there any favorite quotes or passages from Woolf’s works that have particularly influenced you?

"A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction."

This phrase has been my guiding light.

ELLE: How do you respond to the criticism directed at Virginia Woolf’s work? Do you agree with it?

Criticism of Woolf often focuses on her abstract and complex writing style. However, I believe this complexity is a testament to her creative intellect and artistic freedom.

The depth of her texts is not meant to be easy – they are designed to initiate an inner journey, challenge the reader to think experimentally and open new perspectives. But sometimes, we may not be ready for that. It is often more comfortable to read simpler, more straightforward narratives with a clear beginning and end. Like everything else in life, these reading preferences can either enrich our experience or make it more ordinary. In my opinion, literary criticism has not fully explored the intricate, multi-layered structure of Woolf’s works, which are meant to provoke deep reflection. Let’s end by saying “Don’t be afraid of Virginia Woolf?”