Feminism separated from the Literary.

Reading an article on JSTOR about Virginia Woolf's political importance and her significant writing contribution I am struck by the sentiments of Perry Meisel, who desires to separate the political from the "literary history". Furthermore, critics fail to use feminist authors before Virginia Woolf (specifically, "A Room of One's Own")...thus interpreting all of women's literature through a 19th-20th century lense. Whether or not this is the sole case, Woolf's contribution to feminist literature is both controversial and much discussed.

First of, was Woolf a "butterfly" or a "rebel"? (see "Guerrillas in Petticoats..."). Let me explain, Virginia Woolf began as someone feminist critics and literary theorists reserved as a true example of what a female writer is capable of doing, according to outside research. Almost a hero of sorts. Essays approximately twenty years ago pegged her as a "revolutionary", "rebel" figure in the trenches and at war. This is a very political definiton. Her transformation creates the problem of redefining what "feminism" is. As feminists try to combat the definition of feminist literary theory and institutionalization as well, Woolf's writings do not ascribe to these current ideas of feminism. This proves critical because she is the "center" of all feminist thought.

The question I would like to pose is does the reshaping of feminist thought in a postmodern world negate Woolf's political importance to the cause of femist thought/action? (Has the feminist movement removed itself so far from literature?) I believe the political definition is incorrect because it is no longer relative. The reshaping of feminist thought does place Woolf in a position to only have power in her essays that sparked the movement itself. Today, feminism has begun to comply with different cultures and ideas of feminism. The new term today would be "feminisms" and there is no solid definitions according to author Linda Hutcheon. Each culture deals with its own set of issues and types of scenarios/problems. Based on this very general description, Woolf has lost her strong political voice. Understanding her to be a literary powerhouse, cited Woolf as a key witness and judge of current feminist situations is faulty and refutable. Is this saying that Woolf is outdate. Perhaps in some levels. Should she still be studied? Yes, she broke the mold further, allowing women to write and gain more respect as they use different techniques and theories about characters and style of plot. Thus, she should be separate from the political figure entirely when studied in a class-such as Lit Crit.