May Sarton's autobiographical writings stand out for their candid exploration of the solitary female experience, resonating deeply within the broader landscape of twentieth-century women’s autobiographies in the United States. While many works in this genre are often tethered to specific ideological frameworks, Sarton's journals and memoirs transcend narrow confines. Her narratives delve into universal themes of human endurance and development, grappling with the complexities of solitude, love, friendship, family, and community. This broader focus is particularly evident in her work, Journal of a Solitude, which offers an intimate glimpse into the life of a middle-aged artist navigating the intricacies of a literary career.

Journal of a Solitude emerges as a cornerstone in Sarton's extensive body of autobiographical work. This shift from traditional memoir to the journal format allowed her to dissect her life with greater depth and convey its rhythms with striking clarity. The journal became an instrumental medium for Sarton, one she revisited in subsequent works like The House by the Sea (1977) and Recovering: A Journal (1980). In The House by the Sea, she reflects on Journal of a Solitude as "a way of dealing with anguish," underscoring its profound personal significance and its potential impact on her readers.