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Virginia Woolf: The Will to Create as a Woman
In 1935, while Virginia Woolf was alive and building her career as a woman writer, Ruth Gruber published a seminal essay on the novelist that is now seen as the first feminist interpretation of Woolf's writings and life. Seventy years after its original publication, Gruber's seminal critique is available once again, with new material that makes it more relevant for readers today. Virginia Woolf: The Will to Create as a Woman includes several previously unpublished letters exchanged between Woolf and Gruber, and a new introduction in which Gruber recalls her 1933 meeting with the English writer, examining the questions surrounding Woolf's bi-polar illness and anti-Semitism. In this groundbreaking assessment of Woolf's philosophy, influences, and style, Gruber laid the groundwork for a generation of future feminist analyses. She cogently examines Woolf's concept of gender and her literary influences, adeptly discussing how Woolf constructed a feminine writing style in a realm dominated by men. Above all, she shows how Woolf consciously strove to create as a woman. Virginia Woolf's experimental prose and her struggles with mental illness have made her an enduringly provocative figure, and today, more than sixty years after her suicide, Woolf's writing continues to fascinate and inspire readers.
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2005
26 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Gruber
36 books40 followersRuth Gruber was an award-winning Jewish American journalist, photographer, and humanitarian. Born in Brooklyn in 1911, she became the youngest PhD in the world and went on to author nineteen books, including the National Jewish Book Award–winning biography Raquela (1978). She also wrote several memoirs documenting her astonishing experiences, among them Ahead of Time (1991), Inside of Time (2002), and Haven (1983), which documents her role in the rescue of one thousand refugees from Europe and their safe transport to America.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 25, 2011
Not only does it uncannily anticipate many of the themes and ideas that became preoccupations in feminist analysis upon Woolf's "rediscovery" many decades later, it is a very accessible and readable analysis of Woolf's major texts up to that time (The Years and Between the Acts had yet to be written). Ruth Gruber's own account of writing this dissertation and meeting Woolf herself as a young American Jewish woman studying in Germany in the 1930's is a fascinating read in and of itself.
And remarkably, Ms. Gruber still appears to be alive and well at the ripe old age of 99, making her a rather remarkable link to this era now long-past.
And remarkably, Ms. Gruber still appears to be alive and well at the ripe old age of 99, making her a rather remarkable link to this era now long-past.
October 8, 2020
Virginia Woolf: The Will to Create as a Woman, by Ruth Gruber is is a reprint of Gruber's 1931 (published in 1935) doctoral dissertation with an extremely interesting introduction. Gruber was born in 1911 in Brooklyn, New York. She entered New York University at fifteen and earned a post graduate fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She won a second fellowship to the University of Cologne, Germany. She earned her PhD in 1931 and was, at the time, the youngest person to earn a PhD. Gruber's time in Germany was also marked with the rise of Hitler and the growth of antisemitism. As an American Jew, she was she witness to Nazi rallies and upon her return to New York she told of the dangers of Nazism. She served as a foreign correspondent to the Herald Tribune, visited the Soviet Union and experienced an unprecedented visit to the Soviet Arctic. In 1944 she went on a secret mission to Europe to bring one thousand Jewish refugees to the United States. She has written nineteen books and on her ninety-ninth birthday, Ahead of Time premiered in New York City. The movie covered her life from 1911 to 1947. Virginia Woolf was written in 2004; a quick bit of math put her at 93 at the time of writing. At present time Gruber is still alive at 101.
I wanted to read this book to learn about, someone I think is one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century. Instead, I learned more about another great writer and humanitarian: Ruth Gruber. Gruber's life in nothing short of amazing. She had a stellar academic career and amazing life. She was extremely brave in going to and staying in Germany; she was American and Jewish, both hated in the new Germany. At an American Embassy sponsored event in Berchesgaden, she was insulted by the German host's advances and antisemitism; she left much to the dismay of the American diplomats. Despite the racism in Germany, Gruber did earn her PhD from a board of German professors.
Gruber's writing on Virginia Woolf is a scholarly dissertation, and I will admit that even after reading all Virginia Woolfs books, including her diaries and letters, I found myself over my head more than a few times. That is to be expected, Gruber's intended audience wasn't university trained political scientists like myself. There is a wealth of information in both the dissertation and introduction, which centers on Gruber's year in Germany and her meeting with Virginia Woolf. Gruber makes two important revelations about Virginia Woolf. The first, many (or most) suspected that Virginia Woolf was as Gruber says “catty” which would probably be much more severe in today vernacular. She was warm and friendly in person and in her letters, but her diary revealed something altogether different. Gruber was recorded in Woolf's diary as “some German woman” even though letter were exchanged to United States and not Germany. Gruber also found in Virginia Woolf's diary that the meeting was going to be a “a pure have yer” – supposedly Cockney slang for a task that is forced one but needs to be done. People outside of Woolf's circle of friends, although treated polite in person were treated with contempt in her diaries. (This is also true of her first impressions of Vita Sackville-West.*) Gruber's second revelation is the distinct polarity in Woolf's work. This parallels Woolfs probable and undiagnosed bipolar disorder. The character Orlando was physically bipolar while other references are between light and dark, shape and ambiguity, and between the characters in The Waves.
Gruber spends much of her dissertation on the growth of Woolf as a woman writer. Woolf must battle the critics and her influences and become her own writer. Gruber first sees Woolf as an early twentieth century feminist.
“For Virginia Woolf,” I said, “Woman is the creator and man is the destroyer. Many of her women are heroic and her men are often weak, with no heart, no mind.”
Virginia Woolf was able to rebel, but avoid being labeled a fanatic. Her criticism is not bitter and at times humerous. Gruber tracks and documents Woolf's development and growth into becoming her own writer: a woman writer in a world dominated by men. Although the dissertation may be above the average readers expectations, it is a valuable reference, Gruber's story of meeting Woolf, the exchange of letters, and her time in Germany is alone worth the read. Virginia Woolf is an outstanding read that will give any Virginia Woolf admirer much more than what is expected.
*my observation, not the authors
I wanted to read this book to learn about, someone I think is one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century. Instead, I learned more about another great writer and humanitarian: Ruth Gruber. Gruber's life in nothing short of amazing. She had a stellar academic career and amazing life. She was extremely brave in going to and staying in Germany; she was American and Jewish, both hated in the new Germany. At an American Embassy sponsored event in Berchesgaden, she was insulted by the German host's advances and antisemitism; she left much to the dismay of the American diplomats. Despite the racism in Germany, Gruber did earn her PhD from a board of German professors.
Gruber's writing on Virginia Woolf is a scholarly dissertation, and I will admit that even after reading all Virginia Woolfs books, including her diaries and letters, I found myself over my head more than a few times. That is to be expected, Gruber's intended audience wasn't university trained political scientists like myself. There is a wealth of information in both the dissertation and introduction, which centers on Gruber's year in Germany and her meeting with Virginia Woolf. Gruber makes two important revelations about Virginia Woolf. The first, many (or most) suspected that Virginia Woolf was as Gruber says “catty” which would probably be much more severe in today vernacular. She was warm and friendly in person and in her letters, but her diary revealed something altogether different. Gruber was recorded in Woolf's diary as “some German woman” even though letter were exchanged to United States and not Germany. Gruber also found in Virginia Woolf's diary that the meeting was going to be a “a pure have yer” – supposedly Cockney slang for a task that is forced one but needs to be done. People outside of Woolf's circle of friends, although treated polite in person were treated with contempt in her diaries. (This is also true of her first impressions of Vita Sackville-West.*) Gruber's second revelation is the distinct polarity in Woolf's work. This parallels Woolfs probable and undiagnosed bipolar disorder. The character Orlando was physically bipolar while other references are between light and dark, shape and ambiguity, and between the characters in The Waves.
Gruber spends much of her dissertation on the growth of Woolf as a woman writer. Woolf must battle the critics and her influences and become her own writer. Gruber first sees Woolf as an early twentieth century feminist.
“For Virginia Woolf,” I said, “Woman is the creator and man is the destroyer. Many of her women are heroic and her men are often weak, with no heart, no mind.”
Virginia Woolf was able to rebel, but avoid being labeled a fanatic. Her criticism is not bitter and at times humerous. Gruber tracks and documents Woolf's development and growth into becoming her own writer: a woman writer in a world dominated by men. Although the dissertation may be above the average readers expectations, it is a valuable reference, Gruber's story of meeting Woolf, the exchange of letters, and her time in Germany is alone worth the read. Virginia Woolf is an outstanding read that will give any Virginia Woolf admirer much more than what is expected.
*my observation, not the authors
June 2, 2012
Disclaimer: I got an ARC via Netgalley.
At the end of her study on Virginia Woolf, Ruth Gruber writes,
Gruber is one of those women that people should know more about. This book is her study, her Ph. D. study of Woolf, written when Woolf was still alive and Gruber study in Germany during the rise of Hitler. The reissue of the study includes a foreword by Gruber as well as facsimiles of letters from Woolf and her publishers. In truth, the forward is worth the price of the book, for it is Gruber’s description of her meeting the Woolfs that is fascinating. Gruber captures them so well, her prose transports the reader to the room. The descriptions of Gruber’s decision to go to Germany, of her studies there, and her meeting with Woolf form the perfect introduction to this study of Woolf’s work.
Gruber’s focus on Woolf consists of paying close attention to Woolf’s use of language and description. Gruber than applies that close level of reading to the connection, if any, to Woolf and the male writers who she drew from. Gruber argues that Woolf saw female as creative and male as destroyer. She argues that Woolf used that only prose poetry, but details to highlight how Female things, such as dinner, were just as important as male things, such as sport.
I can hear the student today say, “Yeah, I know this. So what?” Here’s the so what; in her study, in particular in the closing remarks above, Gruber connects Woolf to those woman writers of today. It is though this study that Woolf (and Gruber) and Gruber (and Woolf) foreshadow the coming of such authors as Toni Morrison and A.S. Byatt among others. It is hard to read Gruber’s analysis of Woolf and detail, and not see that influence on Byatt’s Still Life or the similarities in the use of detail and langue in the works of Morrison.
Yet, when I think about this book, I keep thinking about the introduction, the wonderful introduction that describes the introduction of three great minds – Gruber, Leonard Woolf, and Virginia Woolf. The introduction not only describes the meeting in such detail that you are there, but also deals with hero-worship and how one feels after learning what your hero really thinks, this is especially powerful coming from a woman such as Gruber who in her own right is as much of hero, if not more of one, as Woolf. It is this feeling that connects the reader to Gruber in a rather intimate way, the way that occurs whenever a reader discovers that a favored author shares the same literary taste. Here, the feeling is so much that, but that Gruber ‘s sharing of the meeting puts Gruber on even footing with the reader. The reader is not intimidated by a woman who got her Ph D. at the age of twenty and was celebrated for it. Gruber, in the introduction, makes herself one of “us”. She’s still a genius, but the introduction makes her an accessible genius, a human genius, a relatable genius.
And at the same time, while keeping the hero worship idea of Virginia Woolf, does the same thing for the author of Orlando. This is not an easy task, and not many people could have kept the hero worship but shown the humanity. Gruber does, and while her reading of Woolf is “spot on” and thought provoking, it is the introduction to the work that makes Gruber’s book magical.
At the end of her study on Virginia Woolf, Ruth Gruber writes,
The woman of the past found an intimation of the laws of nature, of life and immortality, in bearing children; the woman of the future, retaining this experience, will give it words and form. Virginia Woolf, of the present, is still a seeker, struggling to prepare the world for a woman Shakespeare, a woman Rembrandt, even a woman Christ. She is the transitional link between the past which produced a Jane Austen and the future yet to produce the great "Shakespearianna". Conscious of her limitations, she finds a beautiful gratification in being one of her mediators, one of the spiritual mothers.
The woman she is helping to create will culminate in herself the physical creativeness of the past with mental creativeness of women like Virginia Woolf - the woman of today.
Gruber is one of those women that people should know more about. This book is her study, her Ph. D. study of Woolf, written when Woolf was still alive and Gruber study in Germany during the rise of Hitler. The reissue of the study includes a foreword by Gruber as well as facsimiles of letters from Woolf and her publishers. In truth, the forward is worth the price of the book, for it is Gruber’s description of her meeting the Woolfs that is fascinating. Gruber captures them so well, her prose transports the reader to the room. The descriptions of Gruber’s decision to go to Germany, of her studies there, and her meeting with Woolf form the perfect introduction to this study of Woolf’s work.
Gruber’s focus on Woolf consists of paying close attention to Woolf’s use of language and description. Gruber than applies that close level of reading to the connection, if any, to Woolf and the male writers who she drew from. Gruber argues that Woolf saw female as creative and male as destroyer. She argues that Woolf used that only prose poetry, but details to highlight how Female things, such as dinner, were just as important as male things, such as sport.
I can hear the student today say, “Yeah, I know this. So what?” Here’s the so what; in her study, in particular in the closing remarks above, Gruber connects Woolf to those woman writers of today. It is though this study that Woolf (and Gruber) and Gruber (and Woolf) foreshadow the coming of such authors as Toni Morrison and A.S. Byatt among others. It is hard to read Gruber’s analysis of Woolf and detail, and not see that influence on Byatt’s Still Life or the similarities in the use of detail and langue in the works of Morrison.
Yet, when I think about this book, I keep thinking about the introduction, the wonderful introduction that describes the introduction of three great minds – Gruber, Leonard Woolf, and Virginia Woolf. The introduction not only describes the meeting in such detail that you are there, but also deals with hero-worship and how one feels after learning what your hero really thinks, this is especially powerful coming from a woman such as Gruber who in her own right is as much of hero, if not more of one, as Woolf. It is this feeling that connects the reader to Gruber in a rather intimate way, the way that occurs whenever a reader discovers that a favored author shares the same literary taste. Here, the feeling is so much that, but that Gruber ‘s sharing of the meeting puts Gruber on even footing with the reader. The reader is not intimidated by a woman who got her Ph D. at the age of twenty and was celebrated for it. Gruber, in the introduction, makes herself one of “us”. She’s still a genius, but the introduction makes her an accessible genius, a human genius, a relatable genius.
And at the same time, while keeping the hero worship idea of Virginia Woolf, does the same thing for the author of Orlando. This is not an easy task, and not many people could have kept the hero worship but shown the humanity. Gruber does, and while her reading of Woolf is “spot on” and thought provoking, it is the introduction to the work that makes Gruber’s book magical.
January 29, 2021
A compelling and readable introduction to the work and life of Virginia Woolf.
September 30, 2014
4 STARS
REISSUED
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).
Ruth Gruber the youngest PhD student to receive her degree takes a look at Virginia Woolf and her analyzes her writing. The first part of the book is the Introduction written by the author. She explains why she wrote this book, on meeting the author she writes about, corresponding with her and Gruber's own academia history. There are also copies of the original letters she discusses in the book. The next part of the book is Gruber's dissertation on Virgina Woolf's writing and her beliefs. One of the major points is that Woolf writes from a feminine voice in a time where everyone else used masculinity. The last part of the book is the reason Gruber reissued her book and those who were instrumental in making that happen.
I choose to read this book because Virginia Woolf as a writer, person and someone suffering from mental illness has always fascinated me. Usually, you see biographies that take some time to analyze her writing as based on her life. Gruber in this book takes the time to look at the voice from which Woolf writes. Gruber outlines how Woolf in most of her writings if not all has a distinct feminine voice. I was a little lost at what the referred to at first but having read Mrs. Dalloway I was able to follow Gruber's examples. I would not recommend this book to everyone as it is not one of those pass along books. Anyone who is a fan of English lit, author's writing background or of Woolf will appreciate Gruber's work.
REISSUED
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).
Ruth Gruber the youngest PhD student to receive her degree takes a look at Virginia Woolf and her analyzes her writing. The first part of the book is the Introduction written by the author. She explains why she wrote this book, on meeting the author she writes about, corresponding with her and Gruber's own academia history. There are also copies of the original letters she discusses in the book. The next part of the book is Gruber's dissertation on Virgina Woolf's writing and her beliefs. One of the major points is that Woolf writes from a feminine voice in a time where everyone else used masculinity. The last part of the book is the reason Gruber reissued her book and those who were instrumental in making that happen.
I choose to read this book because Virginia Woolf as a writer, person and someone suffering from mental illness has always fascinated me. Usually, you see biographies that take some time to analyze her writing as based on her life. Gruber in this book takes the time to look at the voice from which Woolf writes. Gruber outlines how Woolf in most of her writings if not all has a distinct feminine voice. I was a little lost at what the referred to at first but having read Mrs. Dalloway I was able to follow Gruber's examples. I would not recommend this book to everyone as it is not one of those pass along books. Anyone who is a fan of English lit, author's writing background or of Woolf will appreciate Gruber's work.
December 28, 2016
Having read quite a few Woolf biographies and her volumes of letters, I chose this book specifically for the purposes of furthering my understanding of her on a more intimate level. Unfortunately, this was not the book I was looking for. Gruber spends the first quarter of the book speaking mostly about herself, followed by facsimiles of the letters she had detailed in her biography, sorry, her introduction. Finally, a reproduction of Gruber's thesis of Woolf is inserted.
Having studied Woolf, much of what Gruber examines was of no surprise. Though in all fairness, I appreciate that at the time of writing, Gruber was insightful to many of the themes that permeate Woolf's intent, and that must have been thrilling and revealing if read at the time and not by someone who has a smattering of knowledge on Woolf and has read some of her best-known works.
Having studied Woolf, much of what Gruber examines was of no surprise. Though in all fairness, I appreciate that at the time of writing, Gruber was insightful to many of the themes that permeate Woolf's intent, and that must have been thrilling and revealing if read at the time and not by someone who has a smattering of knowledge on Woolf and has read some of her best-known works.
November 3, 2014
Having read Mrs.Dalloway by Woolf and then 'The Hours' by Cunningham, for me Ruth Gruber's work was almost like completing a trilogy.
Woolf has many roles in the eyes of the reader - she is a creator, she is a critic, she is revolutionary and she is a woman of substance. Woolf used her femininity as her strength instead of feeling the 'anxiety of influence' of her predecessors, the literary giants of the past.
Gruber wrote about Woolf from a critical perspective which useful for me to understand the icon better.
Woolf has many roles in the eyes of the reader - she is a creator, she is a critic, she is revolutionary and she is a woman of substance. Woolf used her femininity as her strength instead of feeling the 'anxiety of influence' of her predecessors, the literary giants of the past.
Gruber wrote about Woolf from a critical perspective which useful for me to understand the icon better.
May 21, 2012
Just read the preface and couldn't do it. But the preface will make you laugh if you don't know who Ruth Gruber is. I didn't, and the preface read like she is infinitely more famous, amazing, fantastic and bold than Virginia Woolf. Hey man, maybe she is.
May 1, 2010
eclectic and accomplished author-
commenting on many of the issues
of her time-the introduction was
great view of early 20th century-
her dissertation -pretty esoteric
and dense
commenting on many of the issues
of her time-the introduction was
great view of early 20th century-
her dissertation -pretty esoteric
and dense
Read
April 6, 2013Will come back to this in the future, I'm sure, when I read more Woolf. For now I was more interested in Gruber's life than in what she had to say about Woolf.
Read
March 17, 2024I liked this, but it was sort of a hodge-podge of a memoir and a more theoretical thesis about Virginia Woolf, so I didn't love it. It was interesting, but it didn't stick with me much.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews