'The Duchess and the Jeweller' Published

Virginia Woolf's short story 'The Duchess and the Jeweller' has been a subject of controversy due to its perceived antisemitic themes. Originally titled 'The Duchess and the Jew', the narrative explores the complex relationship between a wealthy duchess and a jeweller, highlighting issues of class and morality. The jeweller, who is depicted as a cunning and unscrupulous character, engages in a transactional relationship with the duchess, which raises questions about the portrayal of Jewish characters in literature. This portrayal led to significant backlash, prompting Harper's Bazaar to request modifications before the story's publication. The concerns surrounding the story reflect broader societal anxieties about antisemitism, particularly in the context of the rising fascism of the time. Woolf and her husband, Leonard, were known to have developed a strong aversion to the fascist ideologies that permeated the 1930s, which influenced Woolf's later works, including her 1938 book 'Three Guineas'. In this book, Woolf critiques fascism and the societal structures that enable such ideologies, indicating her awareness of the implications of her earlier work and the need for a more nuanced understanding of cultural and ethnic identities. The controversy surrounding 'The Duchess and the Jeweller' serves as a reminder of the responsibility authors hold in their representations of marginalized groups and the potential impact of their narratives on public perception and discourse.