The Rev William Cole, a Letter
The Rev William Cole is a novel by Virginia Woolf, first published in 1925. It tells the story of a young clergyman, William Cole, who is sent to a small village in the English countryside to take up a post as the local vicar. He is a man of great faith and conviction, but he soon finds himself in a difficult situation as he struggles to reconcile his beliefs with the realities of life in the village. The novel follows William as he navigates his new life, dealing with the villagers’ superstitions and prejudices, and trying to make a difference in their lives. He is also forced to confront his own doubts and fears, as he struggles to find his place in the community. As the novel progresses, William’s faith is tested and he must decide whether to stay in the village or move on. The Rev William Cole is a powerful and moving story of faith, doubt, and the search for meaning in life. It is a timeless classic that will stay with readers long after they have finished the book.
By Virginia Woolf · First published 1932 · Genre: Modernist Literature, Fiction, Letters · 1,656 words
First lines
My Dear William,
What this Textopian page supports
The Rev William Cole, a Letter is listed on Textopian as a short story by Virginia Woolf, dated 1932 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: 1932 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Modernist Literature, Fiction, Letters, Literary Fiction
- Length: 1,656 words
- Structure: 1 section, 46 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Rev William Cole, a Letter by Virginia Woolf
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Rev William Cole, a Letter?
- How does this short story by Virginia Woolf fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Modernist Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Humane Art by Virginia Woolf
- The Lady In The Looking Glass by Virginia Woolf
- Reflections At Sheffield Place by Virginia Woolf
- Not One Of Us by Virginia Woolf
- The Snows Of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway
- Within A Budding Grove by Marcel Proust
Genres
- Modernist Literature — The Rev William Cole, a Letter is a work of modernist literature, written by Virginia Woolf, a prominent modernist author. The book is characterized by its experimental style, stream-of-consciousness narrative, and its focus on the inner lives of its characters.
- Fiction — The Rev William Cole, a Letter is a work of fiction, as it is a made-up story with characters and events that are not based in reality.
- Letters — The Rev William Cole, a Letter is a work of letters, as it is a collection of letters written by the titular character, Rev William Cole.
- Literary Fiction — The Rev William Cole, a Letter is a work of literary fiction, as it is a work of fiction that is written with a focus on literary style and technique, rather than on plot or action.
Tags
16th · 1766 · alive · avon · bad · bletchley · boat · cut · england · essay · eyes · failed