"The Death of the Moth" was one of several essays written by Virginia Woolf, published in her book, "The Death of the Moth: And Other Essays." In this particular essay, Woolf utilizes a moth to exemplify the marvelous feat of life and death. Woolf describes the moth as, "a hybrid creature(s), neither gay like butterflies nor somber like their own species," and explains that it is not even worthy of the title of moth, for it flies during the day. She considers the creature as insignificant, but for some reason is constantly distracted by it. Woolf was so captivated by the struggles of the moth that she describes the emotions she felt as, "a queer feeling of pity for him." Regardless of the fact that the moth is dying, Woolf ignores her instinct to save it and instead watches on as it suffers, and ultimately, dies.
In a way, the moth is symbolic of Woolf herself. A blurb preceding this essay states that after a lifelong struggle with mental illnesses, Woolf committed suicide a year before the publication of this book. Further independent research yielded that Woolf suffered from depression and bipolar disorder. These illnesses were more than likely a result of the death of her mother when Woolf was only 13. The moth symbolizes Woolf in the sense that it is struggling, flying aimlessly, seemingly helpless. The person of whose perspective the story is told from, assumed to be Woolf, represents her family and friends. They can only watch as Woolf suffers, unsure of what to do to help. Outside of the story, I'm sure Woolf felt helpless and alone in her struggles, and this story only goes to prove that theory.
Woolf, Virginia, and Leonard Woolf. "The Death of the Moth." The Death of the Moth: And Other Essays. New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1942. N. pag. Print.
In a way, the moth is symbolic of Woolf herself. A blurb preceding this essay states that after a lifelong struggle with mental illnesses, Woolf committed suicide a year before the publication of this book. Further independent research yielded that Woolf suffered from depression and bipolar disorder. These illnesses were more than likely a result of the death of her mother when Woolf was only 13. The moth symbolizes Woolf in the sense that it is struggling, flying aimlessly, seemingly helpless. The person of whose perspective the story is told from, assumed to be Woolf, represents her family and friends. They can only watch as Woolf suffers, unsure of what to do to help. Outside of the story, I'm sure Woolf felt helpless and alone in her struggles, and this story only goes to prove that theory.
Woolf, Virginia, and Leonard Woolf. "The Death of the Moth." The Death of the Moth: And Other Essays. New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1942. N. pag. Print.
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