Virginia Woolf’s atheism and her sharp criticism of religion are well-established in the critical literature. Yet Woolf’s sometimes withering critique of religion belies what might be termed a spiritual sensibility in her work. This collection seeks to define the spiritual in expansive and interdisciplinary ways that illuminate Woolf’s writing, as well as spirituality itself. Approaches drawing on theology, psychology, philosophy, geography, and other disciplinary methods are welcome. Areas of interest might include Woolf’s treatment of sacred spaces; doctrinal or ritualistic language; the soul; illness and its relationship to spiritual experience; spiritual metaphors; spirituality and the body; re-enchantment; writing as spiritual practice; etc.
Please submit abstracts of approximately 500 words to Kristina K. Groover, Professor of English, Appalachian State University (grooverkk@appstate.edu).