According to Woolf which characteristic best described a gifted female writer in the 17th century?

Virginia Woolf, in her essay "A Room of One's Own," argues that a gifted female writer in the 17th century would have been characterized by a profound inner life, nurtured by a love of reading and an innate talent for creative expression, but ultimately stifled by societal expectations and the lack of opportunities available to women.

Woolf highlights that these writers were often forced to express their creativity in clandestine ways, through personal journals, private correspondence, or even through their own fictional narratives.

She doesn't pinpoint one specific "characteristic" but rather paints a portrait of a woman trapped by her time, possessing the talent and passion for writing but denied the resources, freedom, and recognition that would allow her to fully flourish.

Here's how Woolf's ideas manifest in her writing:

* Inner Life: Woolf suggests that these women were often highly introspective, using their writing as a way to explore their own thoughts and feelings. This is reflected in the richness and complexity of their inner lives.

* Love of Reading: Woolf emphasizes that these women were voracious readers, consuming literature in their limited free time and finding inspiration and guidance within the works of others.

* Talent for Creative Expression: Woolf acknowledges the inherent talent of these women, noting their ability to weave narratives and create vivid imagery. However, this talent often went unrecognized and unrewarded, leaving it hidden within their private lives.

Woolf's essay is a powerful exploration of the constraints placed on women in a patriarchal society, and how those constraints impacted their creative expression.