The Death of the Moth

What about Woolf’s history makes this essay so moving?

Imagine that Woolf chose to refer to the moth as “she.” Does the story read differently? Do you feel differently about the moth’s life and death?

How does the framing device of the window operate throughout the essay? What does the moth’s placement on the window reflect?

Compare this essay to “successor” Annie Dillard’s essay, “The Death of a Moth” (1976).

In her essay on literary technique, “Modern Fiction” (1919), Woolf writes: “Life is a luminous halo, a semi-transparent envelope surrounding us from the beginning of consciousness to the end.” In what ways is this understanding of life reflected in Woolf’s view of the moth’s life?

Write your own version of the essay’s story, focusing on the death of an animal of interest or pet and the impact it had on you.

How does Woolf use figurative language (anthropomorphism, imagery, etc.) to strengthen her argument?

Keep a journal of environment/nature-related observations. Which animals or objects capture your attention?