Decoding Virginia Woolf's "Kew Gardens" using archetypal theory (PDF)

Essay from the year 2019 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1.1, , course: B.A English Literature, language: English, abstract: "Kew Gardens" is a short story written by Virginia Woolf. Critics assert that Woolf utilizes stream of consciousness as a technique in writing her literary work. The "stream" is an analogy of flow of ideas under the consciousness and subconscious minds of the author (Nawale, 2019). In fact, this story centers on delineating the four groups of people who venture subsequently in the botanic garden where flowers are planted to attract individuals (Craps, 2009). The four groups signify different phases of life. They witness the beauty of the garden that makes them reminisce their past and appreciates their present. This literary study theorizes that Woolf's "Kew Garden" portrays symbolic archetypes. The study is focused on the archetypes in order to reveal the hidden signification of the text. The distinctive concept of the author is the reason why this study is conceived. The prominence of the author is another motive why this literary critique is regarded. This is indeed worthy to be studied because it will help literary critics, scholars, and short story enthusiasts in determining and decoding the meaning of her work. More so, this study will bring a remarkable contribution to the field of literary studies that will help clarify and shape the matters behind her masterpiece.