Solid Objects by Virginia Woolf

Name: Solid Objects
Author: Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf's novel Solid Objects is a story of John and Richard, two brothers who are struggling to come to terms with their father's death. John is a successful businessman, while Richard is a struggling artist. The two brothers are forced to confront their differences and their shared grief as they attempt to make sense of their father's death. The novel follows the brothers as they grapple with their conflicting emotions and memories of their father. John is determined to keep his father's memory alive, while Richard is determined to forget. As the brothers struggle to reconcile their differences, they must also confront their own inner demons and the secrets that their father left behind. The novel is a powerful exploration of grief, family, and identity. Woolf's writing is both lyrical and insightful, and her characters are complex and sympathetic. Solid Objects is a moving and thought-provoking novel that will stay with readers long after they have finished it.

By Virginia Woolf · First published 1920 · Genre: Modernist Literature, Fiction, Psychological Fiction · 2,405 words

First lines

The only thing that moved upon the vast semicircle of the beach was one small black spot. As it came nearer to the ribs and spine of the stranded pilchard boat, it became apparent from a certain tenuity in its blackness that this spot possessed four legs; and moment by moment it became more unmistakable that it was composed of the persons of two young men. Even thus in outline against the sand there was an unmistakable vitality in them; an indescribable vigour in the approach and withdrawal of the bodies, slight though it was, which proclaimed some violent argument issuing from the tiny mouths of the little round heads. This was corroborated on closer view by the repeated lunging of a walking-stick on the right-hand side. "You mean to tell me. You actually believe . . ." thus the walkingstick on the right-hand side next the waves seemed to be asserting as it cut long straight stripes upon the sand.

What this Textopian page supports

Solid Objects is listed on Textopian as a short story by Virginia Woolf, dated 1920 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: 1920 CE
Language: English
Genres: Modernist Literature, Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Experimental Fiction
Length: 2,405 words
Structure: 1 section, 72 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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How does this short story by Virginia Woolf fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles

Genres

Modernist Literature — Virginia Woolf is considered a major figure in the modernist literary movement, and 'Solid Objects' is a prime example of her modernist writing style.
Fiction — 'Solid Objects' is a work of fiction, as it is a narrative that is not based on real events or people.
Psychological Fiction — The novel explores the psychological states of its characters, making it a work of psychological fiction.
Experimental Fiction — The novel employs experimental techniques such as stream-of-consciousness narration, making it an example of experimental fiction.