“WOMEN NEVER HAVE AN HALF HOUR... THAT THEY CAN CALL THEIR OWN”: AFFINITY OF IDEAS IN F. NIGHTINGALE'S “CASSANDRA” AND V. WOOLF'S “A ROOM OF ONE'S OWN”

This paper dwells upon critical essays written by two outstanding authors whose influence over the women's movement in Great Britain of the 19th and 20th c. cannot be underestimated. Upon publication, their works have in effect become feminist proclamations. V. Woolf was familiar with F. Nightingale's essay and engaged in a dialogue with her to a certain degree. Even though they became known to the general public at approximately the same time, the affinity of ideas in essays is striking. Both authors describe women's situation in their contemporary society, while uncovering the reasons and means of its improvement. According to them, the main ways of achieving the set goals are financial independence and being free from conventionalities.