Virginia Woolf's work was profoundly influenced by the societal roles of women in the early 20th century. She challenged the traditional notions of femininity and explored the limitations society imposed on women through her essays and novels. Woolf's emphasis on stream-of-consciousness narrative allowed her to depict the inner lives of female characters, emphasizing their thoughts and feelings. Her personal experiences as a woman writer and ties to the Bloomsbury Group further influenced her advocacy for gender equality and the importance of women's independence, allowing her to articulate the struggle against patriarchal norms.