T. S. 엘리엇과 버지니아 울프: 1923-1925년

The purpose of this paper is to explore, from the perspective of biographical criticism, the relationship between T. S. Eliot and Virginia Woolf during the years 1923-1925. The first English edition of Eliot’s masterpiece The Waste Land (1923) published by the Hogarth Press run by the Woolfs definitely reveals the culmination of their literary friendship, even though from the perspective of textual criticism three mistakes are belatedly revised by the author. Conversely, Woolf’s “In the Orchard” (1923) and “Character in Fiction” (1924) published in The Criterion obviously underline their consolidated literary friendship. Eliot’s defective essays, Homage to John Dryden (1924) published by the Hogarth Press also evidently indicates the further consolidated relationship between the critic and the Woolfs. Meanwhile, Woolf’s vivid delineations of the sickly physique of “Captain Eliot” caused by intemperate liqueurs and the negative personality of “Prince of Bores” assuredly connote their unpretentious relationship. Additionally, the Woolfs’ recommendation of a doctor and the controversial writing therapy for Vivien who severely suffers from neurological disorders and for the hopelessly caring Eliot, and later in turn to Leonard Eliot’s humane expression of his sympathetic concern for the sick Woolf obviously resemble the familial relationship beyond literary friendship.