Craftsmanship by Virginia Woolf
Craftsmanship is a collection of essays by Virginia Woolf, published in 1931. The essays explore the craft of writing, the creative process, and the importance of craftsmanship in literature. Woolf examines the craft of writing from a variety of angles, including the importance of language, the power of imagination, and the need for discipline and practice. She also discusses the importance of reading and the need for writers to be aware of their own limitations. Throughout the essays, Woolf emphasizes the importance of craftsmanship in literature, and the need for writers to strive for excellence in their work.
By Virginia Woolf · First published 1937 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Modernism, Philosophical Fiction · 2,865 words
First lines
The title of this series is "Words Fail Me," and this particular talk is called "Craftsmanship." We must suppose, therefore, that the talker is meant to discuss the craft of words--the craftsmanship of the writer. But there is something incongruous, unfitting, about the term "craftsmanship" when applied to words. The English dictionary, to which we always turn in moments of dilemma, confirms us in our doubts. It says that the word "craft" has two meanings; it means in the first place making useful objects out of solid matter--for example, a pot, a chair, a table. In the second place, the word "craft" means cajolery, cunning, deceit. Now we know little that is certain about words, but this we do know--words never make anything that is useful; and words are the only things that tell the truth and nothing but the truth. Therefore, to talk of craft in connection with words is to bring together two incongruous ideas, which if they mate can only give birth to some monster fit for a glass case in a museum. Instantly, therefore, the title of the talk must be changed, and for it substituted another--A Ramble round Words, perhaps. For when you cut off the head of a talk it behaves like a hen that has been decapitated. It runs round in a circle till it drops dead--so people say who have killed hens. And that must be the course, or circle, of this decapitated talk. Let us then take for our starting point the statement that words are not useful. This happily needs little proving, for we are all aware of it. When we travel on the Tube, for example, when we wait on the platform for a train, there, hung up in front of us, on an illuminated signboard, are the words "Passing Russell Square." We look at those words; we repeat them; we try to impress that useful fact upon our minds; the next train will pass Russell Square. We say over and over again as we pace, "Passing Russell Square, passing Russell Square." And then as we say them, the words shuffle and change, and we find ourselves saying, "Passing away saith the world, passing away. The leaves decay and fall, the vapours weep their burthen to the ground. Man comes. ." And then we wake up and find ourselves at King's Cross.
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Craftsmanship is listed on Textopian as a short story by Virginia Woolf, dated 1937 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Virginia Woolf
- Date: 1937 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Modernism, Philosophical Fiction, Romance
- Length: 2,865 words
- Structure: 1 section, 84 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Craftsmanship by Virginia Woolf
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Craftsmanship?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — Craftsmanship is a novel by Virginia Woolf that explores the themes of art, creativity, and the power of the imagination. It is written in a literary style that is characteristic of Woolf's work, making it a work of literary fiction.
- Modernism — Craftsmanship is a novel by Virginia Woolf that is considered to be a part of the modernist literary movement. It is written in a style that is characteristic of modernist literature, making it a work of modernism.
- Philosophical Fiction — Craftsmanship is a novel by Virginia Woolf that explores philosophical themes such as the nature of art and creativity. It is written in a style that is characteristic of philosophical fiction, making it a work of philosophical fiction.
- Romance — Craftsmanship is a novel by Virginia Woolf that contains elements of romance. While the primary focus of the novel is not on romance, there are some romantic elements present, making it a work of romance.
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