Mrs. Dalloway: A Norton Critical Edition

Virginia Woolf, born Adeline Virginia Stephen on January 25, 1882, in London, England, was a prominent English writer and a pivotal figure in the modernist literary movement of the early 20th century. Woolf is best known for her innovative narrative techniques, including stream-of-consciousness and her profound explorations of the inner lives of her characters. Woolf's literary career began with her first novel, The Voyage Out (1915), but she is best known for her later works, which include Mrs. Dalloway (1925): A novel that delves into the thoughts and experiences of its characters on a single day in London. To the Lighthouse (1927): A novel that explores the complexities of family dynamics and the passage of time. Orlando (1928): A fantastical biography that follows its protagonist through several centuries and gender transformations. A Room of One's Own (1929): An extended essay that argues for the importance of financial independence and private space for women writers. The Waves (1931): A novel written in a poetic, stream-of-consciousness style, exploring the inner lives of six characters. Virginia Woolf's influence extends far beyond her literary contributions. She is considered a feminist icon, particularly for her advocacy for women's intellectual freedom and creative expression, as articulated in works like "A Room of One's Own." Virginia Woolf remains a central figure in literary history, celebrated for her contributions to modernist literature and her insightful explorations of human consciousness and social issues.

Anne E. Fernald is Professor of English and Women's Studies at Fordham University. She is the author of Virginia Woolf: Feminism and the Reader and editor of a textual edition of Mrs. Dalloway for Cambridge University Press. Her articles have appeared in Feminist Studies, Modern Fiction Studies, Guernica, Open Letters Monthly, and multiple edited collections.