• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Login/ Register
  • Editorial Team
  • Get Involved

Exeposé Online

Making the headlines since 1987

Exeposé Online
  • Home
  • News
      • Local
      • COVID-19
      • University News
  • Comment
  • Features
      • National
      • Worldwide
      • Politics
      • Interviews
  • Science
      • News
      • Lite Science
      • Common Misconceptions
      • Environment
      • Health
      • Technology
  • Sport
  • Lifestyle
      • Fashion and Beauty
      • Features
      • Food
      • Wellbeing
      • Sustainability
  • Music
      • Interviews
      • Features
      • Live Reviews
      • Album Reviews
      • Single Reviews
  • Screen
      • Reviews
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Festivals and Awards
  • Arts + Lit
      • Interviews
      • Features
      • Reviews
      • Creative Writing
  • Amplify
  • International
  • Multilingual
  • News
  • Comment
  • Features
  • Science
  • Sport
  • Lifestyle
  • Music
  • Screen
  • Arts + Lit
  • Amplify
  • International
  • Multilingual
Home / Arts & Lit

A Personal Memoir: The Diary

A Personal Memoir: The Diary

Image: Joanna Kosinska

Jan 14, 2021 – by Rhian Hutchings

By exploring the relationship between diary writing and women, Rhian Hutchings argues that the diary is a cathartic medium for sharing ideas and feelings

There is nothing quite like the intimacy between pen and paper at the end of an evening. As the pen touches the paper it is possible to connect with the self and to join the past with the present. Every inch of the paper belongs to its writer without the intrusion of a readers’ peering eyes. This intimacy has not gone out of fashion even if these days diary entries are more likely to be found on the notes app of an iPhone rather than with a papyrus and reed brushes dipped in ink. It is a practice that allows a place to confide, to relay the mundane quotidian or perhaps to release the tension of injustice whether that be political or personal. 

The diary format within literature has also remained consistently popular with names like Anaïs Nin, Virginia Wolf, Sylvia Plath and of course Anne Frank forming an integral part of any bookshelf. Diaries have widely been acknowledged as a feminine format of writing, an embodiment of feminist practice. Why is this means of reconciling with the inner self so prevalent amongst women and is there a future for this literary confidante? 

Virginia Woolf advocated for diary writing, of writing for oneself. She often mused about the diary as an exercise to stretch the muscles of the mind, to “loosen the ligaments”. She also pondered the position of the diary on the outskirts of the literary psyche. The novel was deemed a man’s endeavour. Even the reading of a novel could tarnish the ‘delicate’ nature of a woman. The nature of a diary is that it is not designed for the eye of the outsider even though diaries are often published as novels.

it became more than a way to write about the events of the day, it was its own form of revolt

A diary is accessible; it is not confined to the whims of its readership or indeed its author. It is therefore no surprise that the diary became a way in which women could write without the condescending disapproval of their male counterparts. As the only acceptable form of writing for women it became more than a way to write about the events of the day, it was its own form of revolt. Even recently, with the publication of Sasha Swire’s ‘A Diary of an MP’s wife’, this example of diary writing has shown another woman who has fervently mastered this unique form of retrospection. 

At the age of ten I received my first diary with its very own plastic purple lock and key device. I had been gifted a little bit of personal space, the strange contradiction of secrecy alongside the freedom to write whatever I wanted to filled me with excitement. Throughout the angsty lens of my teenage years I diligently wrote about my feelings, what was happening in school alongside some stories of insignificant events. The diary has continued to be my faithful companion throughout the years.

The effort that it takes to go to the corner shop to buy a lined notebook has been overtaken by the desire to share our feelings on blogs and on social media sites. Does this mean that this sacred form of writing is becoming outdated? The diary is perhaps evolving from its marginalised origins and shifting to the mainstream platform to share the personal with the public. Undoubtably its popularity has remained, whether that be through technology or in its original written form.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Jan 14, 2021 By Rhian Hutchings Filed Under: Arts & Lit, Arts Features Tagged With: Virginia Woolf, Anne Frank, Diary writing, Sasha Swire, feminist practice, retrospection

Reader Interactions

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

exepose_arts_lit

Arts and literature section of the University of Exeter's student newspaper 🎨📚 artsandlit@exepose.com

Local artist, Molly Rooke talks to Exeposé about Local artist, Molly Rooke talks to Exeposé about her postponed exhibition at Exeter Phoenix and how the environment is at the top of her artistic agenda. Read more with the link below! 

https://exepose.com/2021/01/21/a-local-artists-perspective-molly-rooke-on-covid-climate-and-creativity-in-lockdown/

#lockdown #exeter #localartist #mollyrooke #exeterphoenix
Read about the benefit of diary writing in Rhian H Read about the benefit of diary writing in Rhian Hutching’s latest article exploring how diaries have come to embody feminist practice #virginiawoolf #sashaswire #annefrank
We’re getting meta here on the arts+lit Instagra We’re getting meta here on the arts+lit Instagram page..

Check out Sardelli Constanza and Megan Frost’s definitive guide on the art accounts of Instagram!

Find the full guide on the Arts + Lit website.
“Visual art alongside literature has historicall “Visual art alongside literature has historically been used as both a political tool and an emotional outlet...”

Before the US election result is announced on 3rd November, check out what Rhian Hutchings has to say about the role of art in voting.
Imogen Williams shares her autumn short story abou Imogen Williams shares her autumn short story about the beauty of seasonal change.

Read more on Exeposé’s Arts+Lit website.
Max Ingleby delves into the subtle art of the illu Max Ingleby delves into the subtle art of the illustration, and reflects on the impacts they can have on our imaginations as children.

“The illustrated books that most commanded my attention were not those that shied away from the dark, scary aspects of childhood, but those that explored them…”

Read the full article on Exeposé’s Arts+Lit webpage.
Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight saga rises from the g Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight saga rises from the grave with the latest addition to the series, Midnight Sun.

Paige Insalaco sinks her teeth into this new read, and tells us the secret to the book series’s eternal life...

Read the article on Exeposé’s Arts+Lit webpage.
Tori Sharp briefs us on her top summer reads of 20 Tori Sharp briefs us on her top summer reads of 2020, from neapolitan novels to the best biographies 

https://exepose.com/2020/09/07/what-i-read-this-summer/
The sensational musical, Hamilton, is now availabl The sensational musical, Hamilton, is now available to stream online, featuring its original broadway cast.

Music Editor, Bridie Adams, reviews the hit musical and the experience of viewing it from the comfort of your own home.

Read the full article on Exeposé’s Arts+Lit webpage.
Load More… Follow on Instagram
Tweets by Arts + Lit

Contact Us: editors@exepose.com

Since 1987, Exeposé has given a voice to Exeter students. Over the years, the determination and political fervour exhibited by students through Exeposé have helped shape the University we study at today. We have received national recognition for our award-winning campaigns, investigations and surveys, and always strive to provide students with high-quality news, comment and features.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in articles and comments do not reflect the views of Exeposé Online or the University of Exeter Student's Guild.

        


© 2021
Website design: Harry Caton and Ellie Cook
Webdesign & development: Harry Caton