Critical Review: A Rediscovered Eulogy: Virginia Woolf's "Miss Janet Case: Classical Scholar and Teacher"

A Rediscovered Eulogy: Virginia Woolf’s “Miss Janet Case: Classical Scholar and Teacher”

Henry M. Alley

This article is about Janet Case, Virginia Woolf’s tutor, and the affect that she had on Woolf throughout her life. She began as a Tutor who taught Woolf of Plato and other great classics. Woolf was eager to learn, and especially enjoyed embarrassing George Duckworth with her knowledge. There relationship eventually evolved into a deep friendship that was based on a great deal of respect and adoration. This relationship turned for the worst over time as Case grew older. Woolf began to see Case’s beliefs as those of a “rigid classical view of literature.” Case and Woolf’s relationship dwindled, especially after Woolf visited Case at her home. She was instructed to give up fiction and focus on biographies as Case said that they were more “useful.” Case began to stand for the classical views, which inhibited and did not except Woolf’s modern writing style. This brought about a great deal of discomfort, self-consciousness, and anxiety in Woolf as she continued to pursue her writing. Woolf’s studies of Greek under Case were also a great influence throughout her work. She was even accused of following in Case’s footsteps by being too rigid. Eventually Woolf’s confidence grew and she was able to at least partially put Case’s criticisms of her work aside. Although their relationship was rocky, it began and ended with great respect. There is no doubt, after reading this article, that Janet Case played an important hand in Woolf’s developing as a writer and as a Woman through their differing opinions on classical vs. modern writing styles.