Jeanette Winterson argues that Virginia Woolf's writing can be intimidating not because it is distant and inaccessible, but rather due to its intense proximity that evokes fear. Woolf's language is compared to a sharp sword rather than a comforting blanket, indicating that her work challenges readers and forces them to confront uncomfortable truths. This discomfort arises from the stripping away of superficial comforts, leaving the reader exposed without any warm protection.

Woolf's writing elicits a visceral reaction, representing not emotional detachment but an overwhelming intensity. Winterson emphasizes that Woolf's art reveals the rawness of existence, characterized by acute sensitivity and the pulse of life, which can feel uncomfortably vulnerable. Ultimately, Woolf's work is marked by precision and intensity, compelling readers to engage with the stark realities of life rather than retreat into cozy illusions.