The Lady in the looking Glass by Virginia woolf
Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, oh, I forgot to turn off the oven.
The Lady in the Looking-Glass. 1929.
People should not leave looking glasses hanging in their rooms any
more than they should leave open cheque books or letters confessing
some hideous crime. One could not help looking, that summer after
noon, in the long glass that hung outside in the hall. Chance had so arranged it. From the depths of the sofa in the drawing-room one could see reflected in the Italian glass not only the marble-topped table opposite, but a stretch of the garden beyond. One could see a long grass path leading between banks of tall flowers until, slicing off an angle, the gold rim cut it off.
Why We loved it
In this episode of Extra Literary Affairs, the hosts talk about Virginia Woolf’s short story “The Lady in the Looking-Glass.” They really enjoyed this strange and interesting story and break down what makes it so special.
First, they explain how the story makes you wonder what is real and what is just an illusion. The main character, Isabella Tyson, seems one way at first, but the more you read, the less you feel like you truly know her. Then, they discuss the mirror in the story and what it might represent—does it show the truth, or does it hide secrets?
Next, they point out how Woolf’s writing makes you feel like you’re right there in the room with Isabella. They also talk about how the story doesn’t give easy answers, which makes it fun to think about. They even compare it to some of Woolf’s other stories to show how her style is unique.
In the end, the hosts agree that this story makes you question how well we can ever really know someone—even ourselves. If you like stories that make you think, you won’t want to miss this episode!