19. Mrs. Dalloway: (pp. 182-183): “The clock began striking. The young man had killed himself; but she did not pity him…She felt somehow very like him – the young man who had killed himself…The clock was striking….But she must go back.”:
Mark Hussey suggests that Virginia Woolf relates to the man who committed suicide and she communicates this through the character of Mrs. Dalloway. If a reader knew the background of Woolf, they would realize that this is very plausible. Woolf heard voices and got headaches just as she depicts her character, Septimus. Woolf felt like she would welcome death; she wished that she could throw life away. But the rules of society made her move forward as if alive although she felt dead inside. Social norms made Clarissa return to the party. The clock striking emphasizes these thoughts. Time will continue no matter what people choose to do – to live or to die. Woolf uses sound imagery of the clock striking (time moves forward) and the depressing tone of the situation of suicide; together these things emphasize the theme of isolation.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
“Virginia Woolf her life and works.” Mantex. 2000-2008. 30 August 2009. http://www.mantex.co.uk/ou/a319/woolf-01.htm
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
18. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 86)
18. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 86) “He could reason; he could read, Dante for example, quite easily (‘Septimus do put down your book,’ said Rezia, gently shutting the Inferno,)…that he could not feel”:
In this quotation, Woolf references Dante’s poem, The Divine Comedy. The Divine Comedy is a three part story which details Dante’s travels through the nine circles of hell. Inferno is the first part of the story; it’s about how Dante attempts to find God in his life while those in Hell work to stop him from finding the true path. Woolf uses irony to reflect Septimus’ character. Woolf creates a character, Septimus, who is living in hell; although the world around him is beautiful, he is emotionless, unhappy, and interacts with dead people. Many times, he finds himself facing hell on a daily basis.
“Divine Comedy.” Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. 23 August 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Comedy.
“Inferno.” The World of Dante. University of Virginia Institute for Advanced Technologies in the Humanities. 23 August 2009. 29 September 2009. http://www.worldofdante.org/inferno1.html.
In this quotation, Woolf references Dante’s poem, The Divine Comedy. The Divine Comedy is a three part story which details Dante’s travels through the nine circles of hell. Inferno is the first part of the story; it’s about how Dante attempts to find God in his life while those in Hell work to stop him from finding the true path. Woolf uses irony to reflect Septimus’ character. Woolf creates a character, Septimus, who is living in hell; although the world around him is beautiful, he is emotionless, unhappy, and interacts with dead people. Many times, he finds himself facing hell on a daily basis.
“Divine Comedy.” Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. 23 August 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Comedy.
“Inferno.” The World of Dante. University of Virginia Institute for Advanced Technologies in the Humanities. 23 August 2009. 29 September 2009. http://www.worldofdante.org/inferno1.html.
17. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 52)
17. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 52) “Then the thin long cloak which the wind stirred as she walked past Dent’s shop in Cockspur Street blew out with enveloping kindness…”:
Cockspur Street is a street in London. Peter follows this route in his pursuit of an attractive young woman. Woolf may have used this street “promiscuously”—as a joke to the name of the street. Peter’s character is frustrated and isolated. Woolf uses suggestive language and the vibrant imagery of the streets of London to depict Peter’s isolation.
Mrs. Dalloway’s London map. Mrs. Dalloway. Virginia Woolf. Harcourt Inc. 2005. 30 August 2009.
Cockspur Street is a street in London. Peter follows this route in his pursuit of an attractive young woman. Woolf may have used this street “promiscuously”—as a joke to the name of the street. Peter’s character is frustrated and isolated. Woolf uses suggestive language and the vibrant imagery of the streets of London to depict Peter’s isolation.
Mrs. Dalloway’s London map. Mrs. Dalloway. Virginia Woolf. Harcourt Inc. 2005. 30 August 2009.
16. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 31)
16. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 31) “And then at Constantinople, and again and again.”:
Constantinople was an ancient Byzantine city that strived for over 1000 years. Woolf visited this city (now the capital of Turkey) in 1906. Woolf most likely learned of Constantinople’s history while she was in Turkey and compared Clarissa’s “failure” to the downfall of this once striving city due to they knowledge she possessed of this area. The downfall of a city that strived for so long is a huge failure; Woolf depicts Clarissa feeling that she had a major downfall as well: “something central which permeated.”
“The Fall of Constantinople.” Hellenk Electronic Center. 1996-2008. 30 August 2009. http://www.greece.org/romiosini/fall.html
“Virginia Woolf her life and works.” Mantex. 2000-2008. 30 August 2009. http://www.mantex.co.uk/ou/a319/woolf-01.htm
Constantinople was an ancient Byzantine city that strived for over 1000 years. Woolf visited this city (now the capital of Turkey) in 1906. Woolf most likely learned of Constantinople’s history while she was in Turkey and compared Clarissa’s “failure” to the downfall of this once striving city due to they knowledge she possessed of this area. The downfall of a city that strived for so long is a huge failure; Woolf depicts Clarissa feeling that she had a major downfall as well: “something central which permeated.”
“The Fall of Constantinople.” Hellenk Electronic Center. 1996-2008. 30 August 2009. http://www.greece.org/romiosini/fall.html
“Virginia Woolf her life and works.” Mantex. 2000-2008. 30 August 2009. http://www.mantex.co.uk/ou/a319/woolf-01.htm
15. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 31)
15. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 31) “Lovely in girlhood… for example on the river beneath the woods at Clieveden…she had failed him.”:
The Clieveden woods are a scenic area next to the Thames River in London, England. Woolf brings the beautiful and calming imagery of the woods to the reader while at the same time leading into a confusing tone. Clarissa feels empty; she is at a loss as to what is the nature of love and desire. She can sense it more clearly with women, but she still doesn’t feel it completely. Woolf was much the same. In her diaries, she wrote about being a victim of childhood sexual abuse by one of her brothers, and this event had an impact on all sexual relationships in her future. Woolf fills Clarissa’s character with a similar uncertainty. Woolf develops Clarissa as an isolated and alone character. Victims of abuse may feel uncertain, isolated, and separated from others.
“Cliveden Woods, from ferry, London.” www.old-picture.com. 2006-2008. 29 September 2009. http://www.old-picture.com/europe/Cliveden-Woods-ferry-London.htm
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Scott, Bonnie Kime. Introduction. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
The Clieveden woods are a scenic area next to the Thames River in London, England. Woolf brings the beautiful and calming imagery of the woods to the reader while at the same time leading into a confusing tone. Clarissa feels empty; she is at a loss as to what is the nature of love and desire. She can sense it more clearly with women, but she still doesn’t feel it completely. Woolf was much the same. In her diaries, she wrote about being a victim of childhood sexual abuse by one of her brothers, and this event had an impact on all sexual relationships in her future. Woolf fills Clarissa’s character with a similar uncertainty. Woolf develops Clarissa as an isolated and alone character. Victims of abuse may feel uncertain, isolated, and separated from others.
“Cliveden Woods, from ferry, London.” www.old-picture.com. 2006-2008. 29 September 2009. http://www.old-picture.com/europe/Cliveden-Woods-ferry-London.htm
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Scott, Bonnie Kime. Introduction. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
14. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 30)
14. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 30) “The candle was half burnt down and she had read deep in Baron Marbot’s Memoirs.”:
Baron Marbot’s Memoirs is a two volume memoir considered to be one of the best written and most informative of all memoirs published in the Napoleonic period. The Napoleonic period is in France and England and was the final period of the French Revolution. This book details Baron Marbot’s life and involvement in the Napoleonic Wars. Clarissa reads this book as she is trying to fall asleep. Woolf is creating a realistic setting by placing real people/ memoirs of people into Mrs. Dalloway; Woolf is raising the intellectual tone of novel and academic nature of Clarissa’s character. Woolf also develops the isolation and loneliness theme. Clarissa sleeps alone; she stays up late by herself. She prefers it but she doesn’t enjoy being alone. She feels isolated. Woolf uses the attic bedroom as a visual symbolic image of the isolation and separation.
“Napoleonic era.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 20 July 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonic_era
“Memoirs of Baron deMarbot.” Napoleonic Literature. 26 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://napoleonic-literature.com/Amazon/Memoirs_of_Marbot_Vol_1.htm
Baron Marbot’s Memoirs is a two volume memoir considered to be one of the best written and most informative of all memoirs published in the Napoleonic period. The Napoleonic period is in France and England and was the final period of the French Revolution. This book details Baron Marbot’s life and involvement in the Napoleonic Wars. Clarissa reads this book as she is trying to fall asleep. Woolf is creating a realistic setting by placing real people/ memoirs of people into Mrs. Dalloway; Woolf is raising the intellectual tone of novel and academic nature of Clarissa’s character. Woolf also develops the isolation and loneliness theme. Clarissa sleeps alone; she stays up late by herself. She prefers it but she doesn’t enjoy being alone. She feels isolated. Woolf uses the attic bedroom as a visual symbolic image of the isolation and separation.
“Napoleonic era.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 20 July 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonic_era
“Memoirs of Baron deMarbot.” Napoleonic Literature. 26 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://napoleonic-literature.com/Amazon/Memoirs_of_Marbot_Vol_1.htm
13. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 28)
13. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 28) "he thought…Ludgate Circus.”:
Ludgate Circus is the main connection between London and Westminster (where Clarissa Dalloway lived). It is a traffic circle that joins Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill. It is west of St. Paul’s cathedral in London. Woolf references this crossing to aid in continuing the realistic setting of London and to lead the story back to Westminster and Clarissa.
“Ludgate Circus (London).” Wikimapia. August, 2007. 29 September 2009. http://wikimapia.org/5711997/Ludgate-Circus
“Ludgate Circus.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 2 July 2009. 20 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludgate_Circus
Ludgate Circus is the main connection between London and Westminster (where Clarissa Dalloway lived). It is a traffic circle that joins Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill. It is west of St. Paul’s cathedral in London. Woolf references this crossing to aid in continuing the realistic setting of London and to lead the story back to Westminster and Clarissa.
“Ludgate Circus (London).” Wikimapia. August, 2007. 29 September 2009. http://wikimapia.org/5711997/Ludgate-Circus
“Ludgate Circus.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 2 July 2009. 20 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludgate_Circus
12. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 27)
12. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 27) "Away and away the aeroplane shot, till it was nothing but a bright spark; an aspiration; a concentration; a symbol (so it seemed to Mr. Bentley, vigorously rolling his strip of turf at Greenwich) of man's soul; of his determination, thought Mr. Bentley, sweeping round the cedar tree, to get outside his body, beyond his house, by means of thought, Einstein, speculation, mathematics, the Mendelian theory…away the airplane shot”:
Albert Einstein is a scientist of the 20th century who developed the theory of relativity. The Mendelian theory is about inherited genetic traits. Woolf uses the visual imagery of the soaring plane as it brings the story back to Clarissa. The reference to the famous scientists brings an intellectual tone. Education is for the benefit of man and the upper class, but upper class men and women would have been aware of Einstein and the Mendelian theory. Thus, Woolf manages to bring the story back to Clarissa both visually and intellectually.
“Albert Einstein.” Answers.com. 2009. 29 September 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/albert-einstein
“Mendelian inheritance.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 29 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendelian_inheritance
What are the principles of mendelian genetics? Answers.com. 2009. 29 September 2009.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_principles_of_mendelian_genetics&src=ansTT
Albert Einstein is a scientist of the 20th century who developed the theory of relativity. The Mendelian theory is about inherited genetic traits. Woolf uses the visual imagery of the soaring plane as it brings the story back to Clarissa. The reference to the famous scientists brings an intellectual tone. Education is for the benefit of man and the upper class, but upper class men and women would have been aware of Einstein and the Mendelian theory. Thus, Woolf manages to bring the story back to Clarissa both visually and intellectually.
“Albert Einstein.” Answers.com. 2009. 29 September 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/albert-einstein
“Mendelian inheritance.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 29 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendelian_inheritance
What are the principles of mendelian genetics? Answers.com. 2009. 29 September 2009.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_principles_of_mendelian_genetics&src=ansTT
11. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 27)
11. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 27) "It swept and fell….There’s a fine young feller abroad of it, Mrs. Dempster wagered, and away and away it went, fast fading, away and away the aeroplane shot; soaring over Greenwich and all the masts; over the little island of grey churches, St. Paul’s and the rest till… thrice.”:
Greenwich is a borough in southeast London. St. Paul’s Cathedral is a cathedral built on the highest land in London. During the time of the novel, the steeple must have been seen from many areas of London. Woolf most likely referred Greenwich and St. Paul’s to help paint a picture of the path on which the aeroplane traveled and to aid in creating a more realistic storyline. By referencing real buildings and places, Woolf creates a realistic setting for the novel. By noting how the airplane went up and came down and made the woman afraid, Woolf creates a sense of anticipation and a nervous tone. Though the plane successfully flies off into the unknown, the final destination and the outcome of the plane are not known to the woman on the ground.
“Greenwich.” Answers.com. 2009. 28 September 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/greenwich
“St Paul’s Cathedral.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 28 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Paul%27s_Cathedral.
Greenwich is a borough in southeast London. St. Paul’s Cathedral is a cathedral built on the highest land in London. During the time of the novel, the steeple must have been seen from many areas of London. Woolf most likely referred Greenwich and St. Paul’s to help paint a picture of the path on which the aeroplane traveled and to aid in creating a more realistic storyline. By referencing real buildings and places, Woolf creates a realistic setting for the novel. By noting how the airplane went up and came down and made the woman afraid, Woolf creates a sense of anticipation and a nervous tone. Though the plane successfully flies off into the unknown, the final destination and the outcome of the plane are not known to the woman on the ground.
“Greenwich.” Answers.com. 2009. 28 September 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/greenwich
“St Paul’s Cathedral.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 28 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Paul%27s_Cathedral.
10. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 27)
10. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 27) "For really, what with eating, drinking, and mating, the bad days and good, life had been no mere matter of roses, and what was more, let me tell you, Carrie Dempster had no wish to change her lot with any woman’s in Kentish Town!":
Kentish Town is north of London in the London Borough of Camden. At one point, Kentish town used to be a place where upper-class used to vacation. When buses and steam trains began to change public transportation, the area became more accessible. Because of its location and accessibility, Kentish Town developed into a middle and lower class neighborhood. This neighborhood is a stark contrast to Clarissa’s neighborhood. Woolf’s writing highlights the different living standards between the rich and the poor, and although they part of the same story, this action separates Clarissa’s life from Septimus Warren Smith’s life.
“borough.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 28 Sep. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/borough.
“Kentish Town.” England.net. 2008. 28 September 2009. http://www.kentishtown.com/.
Kentish Town is north of London in the London Borough of Camden. At one point, Kentish town used to be a place where upper-class used to vacation. When buses and steam trains began to change public transportation, the area became more accessible. Because of its location and accessibility, Kentish Town developed into a middle and lower class neighborhood. This neighborhood is a stark contrast to Clarissa’s neighborhood. Woolf’s writing highlights the different living standards between the rich and the poor, and although they part of the same story, this action separates Clarissa’s life from Septimus Warren Smith’s life.
“borough.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 28 Sep. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/borough.
“Kentish Town.” England.net. 2008. 28 September 2009. http://www.kentishtown.com/.
9. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 18)
9. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 18) "The white busts and little tables in the background covered with copies of the Tatler and syphons of soda water seemed to approve… might of a whole cathedral":
There was a real publication entitled, The Tatler; it was a society journal about clubs and gaming published by Richard Steele in London from April 1709- January 1711. Woolf may have been referencing this periodical or she may have been creating a name for a common newspaper. Woolf is creating the respectful and awed tone of the English people for their monarchy during the time setting of Mrs. Dalloway. For centuries, the sight of Royalty brought about a sense of respect and loyalty. Everything, even lifeless objects seemed tuned in.
Italia, Iona. “The Tatler.” The Literary Encyclopedia. 05 November 2004. 28 September 2009. http://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=7889
There was a real publication entitled, The Tatler; it was a society journal about clubs and gaming published by Richard Steele in London from April 1709- January 1711. Woolf may have been referencing this periodical or she may have been creating a name for a common newspaper. Woolf is creating the respectful and awed tone of the English people for their monarchy during the time setting of Mrs. Dalloway. For centuries, the sight of Royalty brought about a sense of respect and loyalty. Everything, even lifeless objects seemed tuned in.
Italia, Iona. “The Tatler.” The Literary Encyclopedia. 05 November 2004. 28 September 2009. http://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=7889
8. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 9)
8. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 9)"There were Jorrocks' Jaunts and Jollities; there were Soapy Sponge and Mrs. Asquith's Memoirs and Big Game Shooting in Nigeria, all spread open.":
Clarissa is picking out a book to bring Evelyn Whitbread. Woolf names four books; three of these were published books in the time setting of Mrs. Dalloway. Jorrocks’ Jaunts and Jollities is a humorous book written by Robert Surtees published in 1838. Soapy Sponge is also a comical character created by Surtees published in 1853. Mrs. Asquith's Memoirs is a three volume book depicting the life of Margot Asquith, who was the wife of Mr. Herbert Asquith, former prime minister. This book was just published in 1922. Big Game Shooting in Nigeria is not a real book. Game hunting was a popular sport during this time period. Woolf may have enjoyed reading silly books or maybe she knew that many people were not intellectuals and she was appealing to their senses by noting these books in her story. Woolf may have related to Mrs. Asquith who was a writer, an intellectual, and a feminist of the time. Mrs. Asquith was attacked publicly in court over her permissive views on homosexuality. Characters in Mrs. Dalloway seem not tuned into homosexuality but it is referenced. Woolf was empathetic to Mrs. Asquith’s situation. The hunting book is not real, and although it was a popular sport. By listing these four books, Woolf emphasizes the current optimistic but opinionated emotional climate of London.
Alexander Waugh. “Biography about Robert Surtees.” Robert Smith Surtees Society. 1979-2009. 28 September 2009. http://www.r.s.surteessociety.org/biography.html
“Herbert Asquith.” Spartacus Educational. 28 September 2009. 28 Sept 2009. http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRasquith.htm
“Margot Asquith, Countess of Oxford and Asquith.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 28 September 2009. 28 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margot_Asquith
“Robert Smith Surtees.” Answers.com. 2009. 27 September 2009.
http://www.answers.com/topic/robert-smith-surtees
“Robert Smith Surtees.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 27 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Smith_Surtees
Clarissa is picking out a book to bring Evelyn Whitbread. Woolf names four books; three of these were published books in the time setting of Mrs. Dalloway. Jorrocks’ Jaunts and Jollities is a humorous book written by Robert Surtees published in 1838. Soapy Sponge is also a comical character created by Surtees published in 1853. Mrs. Asquith's Memoirs is a three volume book depicting the life of Margot Asquith, who was the wife of Mr. Herbert Asquith, former prime minister. This book was just published in 1922. Big Game Shooting in Nigeria is not a real book. Game hunting was a popular sport during this time period. Woolf may have enjoyed reading silly books or maybe she knew that many people were not intellectuals and she was appealing to their senses by noting these books in her story. Woolf may have related to Mrs. Asquith who was a writer, an intellectual, and a feminist of the time. Mrs. Asquith was attacked publicly in court over her permissive views on homosexuality. Characters in Mrs. Dalloway seem not tuned into homosexuality but it is referenced. Woolf was empathetic to Mrs. Asquith’s situation. The hunting book is not real, and although it was a popular sport. By listing these four books, Woolf emphasizes the current optimistic but opinionated emotional climate of London.
Alexander Waugh. “Biography about Robert Surtees.” Robert Smith Surtees Society. 1979-2009. 28 September 2009. http://www.r.s.surteessociety.org/biography.html
“Herbert Asquith.” Spartacus Educational. 28 September 2009. 28 Sept 2009. http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRasquith.htm
“Margot Asquith, Countess of Oxford and Asquith.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 28 September 2009. 28 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margot_Asquith
“Robert Smith Surtees.” Answers.com. 2009. 27 September 2009.
http://www.answers.com/topic/robert-smith-surtees
“Robert Smith Surtees.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 27 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Smith_Surtees
7. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 9)
"Fear no more the heat o' the sun
Nor the furious winter's rages.":
These two lines allude to Shakespeare's 24 line poem from Cymbeline. King Cymbeline’s daughter marries a peasant in secret. When their secret is found out, the peasant is exiled to Italy where he makes a bet with a man who says that he can seduce the peasant’s wife. The man travels to Brittan to seduce to princess. When she refuses, he sneaks into her bedchambers and steals a bracelet. After hearing the description of his wife's chambers and seeing the bracelet, the peasant believes his wife betrayed him and orders another man to go kill his wife. Woolf uses allusion to Cymbeline to develop a sad tone. The poem Woolf is quoting is about how death will come at the end of struggling through life. This allusion also serves to show the theme of loneliness in the book. Mrs. Dalloway lives in a busy, populated city, but she feels lonely or seems alone in her thoughts. After Mrs. Dalloway struggles through life, she will die. Woolf struggled with depression and eventually committed suicide; death preoccupied her and she felt isolated in her depressed state. Woolf shared the poem view of death as being welcome, and she alludes to these feelings in Mrs. Dalloway. Clarissa thinks these lines again later in the story (pg. 29) and even Septimus thinks “fear no more” to himself (pg. 136).
Caleb Murdock. The Poem Tree. An Online Poetry Anthology. 9 October 2006. 25 September 2009. http://www.poemtree.com/poems/FearNoMoreTheHeat.htm
“Cymbeline.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 25 September 2009. 25 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymbeline
Nor the furious winter's rages.":
These two lines allude to Shakespeare's 24 line poem from Cymbeline. King Cymbeline’s daughter marries a peasant in secret. When their secret is found out, the peasant is exiled to Italy where he makes a bet with a man who says that he can seduce the peasant’s wife. The man travels to Brittan to seduce to princess. When she refuses, he sneaks into her bedchambers and steals a bracelet. After hearing the description of his wife's chambers and seeing the bracelet, the peasant believes his wife betrayed him and orders another man to go kill his wife. Woolf uses allusion to Cymbeline to develop a sad tone. The poem Woolf is quoting is about how death will come at the end of struggling through life. This allusion also serves to show the theme of loneliness in the book. Mrs. Dalloway lives in a busy, populated city, but she feels lonely or seems alone in her thoughts. After Mrs. Dalloway struggles through life, she will die. Woolf struggled with depression and eventually committed suicide; death preoccupied her and she felt isolated in her depressed state. Woolf shared the poem view of death as being welcome, and she alludes to these feelings in Mrs. Dalloway. Clarissa thinks these lines again later in the story (pg. 29) and even Septimus thinks “fear no more” to himself (pg. 136).
Caleb Murdock. The Poem Tree. An Online Poetry Anthology. 9 October 2006. 25 September 2009. http://www.poemtree.com/poems/FearNoMoreTheHeat.htm
“Cymbeline.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 25 September 2009. 25 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymbeline
6. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg. 8)
6. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg. 8) “She had a perpetual sense…had the feeling that it was very, very dangerous to live even one day.”:
In the preface to Mrs. Dalloway, Mark Hussey writes about Virginia Woolf's life, death, and work. Thinking about Woolf's life when reading Mrs. Dalloway gives a perspective of character development based on events in Woolf's own life. Clarissa accepted who she was. She questioned herself and life on some level, but she also felt safe in the strength of her capabilities. She might appear to be simple on the outside, but she is a reflective person. Using the word, “perpetual” Woolf brings us back to a sense of the time, and time in motion moving constantly forward. By reflecting that it was dangerous to live even one day in a book that takes place in a one day period, Woolf foreshadows a tragic event that may take place in this day and continues to emphasize the impending tone of time marching on.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Scott, Bonnie Kime. Introduction. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
“Virginia Woolf.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 27 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Woolf
In the preface to Mrs. Dalloway, Mark Hussey writes about Virginia Woolf's life, death, and work. Thinking about Woolf's life when reading Mrs. Dalloway gives a perspective of character development based on events in Woolf's own life. Clarissa accepted who she was. She questioned herself and life on some level, but she also felt safe in the strength of her capabilities. She might appear to be simple on the outside, but she is a reflective person. Using the word, “perpetual” Woolf brings us back to a sense of the time, and time in motion moving constantly forward. By reflecting that it was dangerous to live even one day in a book that takes place in a one day period, Woolf foreshadows a tragic event that may take place in this day and continues to emphasize the impending tone of time marching on.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Scott, Bonnie Kime. Introduction. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
“Virginia Woolf.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 27 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Woolf
5. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg. 8)
5. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg. 8) “She would not say…was outside, looking on.”:
Woolf wrote her personal feelings into the character of Clarissa. Woolf recognized that she had things to be happy about: she had a good marriage, she was physically okay, and she had survived the war and the tragedies of her early life. However, she felt empty. She felt isolated and nervous. She tried to learn about things by reflection and by learning about things she hoped to feel as if she belonged. But when she dissected things, she still felt on the outside and alone. Mrs. Dalloway was a typical wealthy female character of the time. She was not educated in schools but was trained on responsibilities of maintaining a household. She reflected about things but because of her lack of education or the way people viewed women in this time, she discredited herself. Her husband was a traditional character. If she had married Walsh perhaps the reflective side of her nature would have been developed. By writing about these internal conflicts in Clarissa, Woolf calls attention to the dilemma for most women of the time who were by nature intellectual but were not encouraged to develop these aspects.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Scott, Bonnie Kime. Introduction. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
“Virginia Woolf.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 27 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Woolf
Woolf wrote her personal feelings into the character of Clarissa. Woolf recognized that she had things to be happy about: she had a good marriage, she was physically okay, and she had survived the war and the tragedies of her early life. However, she felt empty. She felt isolated and nervous. She tried to learn about things by reflection and by learning about things she hoped to feel as if she belonged. But when she dissected things, she still felt on the outside and alone. Mrs. Dalloway was a typical wealthy female character of the time. She was not educated in schools but was trained on responsibilities of maintaining a household. She reflected about things but because of her lack of education or the way people viewed women in this time, she discredited herself. Her husband was a traditional character. If she had married Walsh perhaps the reflective side of her nature would have been developed. By writing about these internal conflicts in Clarissa, Woolf calls attention to the dilemma for most women of the time who were by nature intellectual but were not encouraged to develop these aspects.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Scott, Bonnie Kime. Introduction. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
“Virginia Woolf.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 27 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Woolf
4. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 7)
4. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 7) "It was the state of the world that interested him; Wagner, Pope’s poetry, people’s characters eternally, and the defects of her own soul.”:
Richard Wagner was a German known for his 13 operas and numerous other compositions. His political viewpoints were varied and controversial but he was a very influential person during his life and even after his death. Alexander Pope is a famous poet who began writing his first versus at age 12. He was born in London. Woolf references these men and their work for character development; Wolf depicts Peter as reflective and hard to please person. He can be demanding and particular.
Hannu Salmi. Richard Wagner Archive.2009. 25 September 2009. http://users.utu.fi/hansalmi/wagner.html.
Petri Liukkonen & Ari Pesonen. Kuusankosken kaupunginkirjasto. 2008. 25 September 2009. http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/apope.htm.
Richard Wagner was a German known for his 13 operas and numerous other compositions. His political viewpoints were varied and controversial but he was a very influential person during his life and even after his death. Alexander Pope is a famous poet who began writing his first versus at age 12. He was born in London. Woolf references these men and their work for character development; Wolf depicts Peter as reflective and hard to please person. He can be demanding and particular.
Hannu Salmi. Richard Wagner Archive.2009. 25 September 2009. http://users.utu.fi/hansalmi/wagner.html.
Petri Liukkonen & Ari Pesonen. Kuusankosken kaupunginkirjasto. 2008. 25 September 2009. http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/apope.htm.
3. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 5)
3. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 5)"It was June. The King and Queen were at the palace….to give her party":
The castle that is being referred to is Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace is the King and Queen's official London residence. Woolf describes London following the war. The King and Queen are home and all is right with the world. People are hopeful. On this day in June anything is possible. Through Clarissa’s random stream of consciousness, Woolf shows the highly expectant emotional tone and the energetic setting of post war London.
The Official Website of the British Monarchy. The Royal Household. 2008-2009. 25 September 2009. http://www.royal.gov.uk/TheRoyalResidences/BuckinghamPalace/BuckinghamPalace.aspx.
The castle that is being referred to is Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace is the King and Queen's official London residence. Woolf describes London following the war. The King and Queen are home and all is right with the world. People are hopeful. On this day in June anything is possible. Through Clarissa’s random stream of consciousness, Woolf shows the highly expectant emotional tone and the energetic setting of post war London.
The Official Website of the British Monarchy. The Royal Household. 2008-2009. 25 September 2009. http://www.royal.gov.uk/TheRoyalResidences/BuckinghamPalace/BuckinghamPalace.aspx.
2. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 4)
2. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 4) “There! Out it boomed. First a warning…The leaden circles dissolved in the air.”:
Woolf draws attention to time using noisy imagery and dramatic details of Big Ben marking time. Big Ben issues a warning; time moves forward and what is in the past cannot be changed. Time becomes an important detail in the book as the events unfold in a one day period; the characters reflect about time in the past, moments in the present, and what the future will bring. The impact of time on the characters was an important part of the development of Mrs. Dalloway for Woolf. She wrote in her diary about a book she was developing called The Hours which had a character named Septimus Warren.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Woolf draws attention to time using noisy imagery and dramatic details of Big Ben marking time. Big Ben issues a warning; time moves forward and what is in the past cannot be changed. Time becomes an important detail in the book as the events unfold in a one day period; the characters reflect about time in the past, moments in the present, and what the future will bring. The impact of time on the characters was an important part of the development of Mrs. Dalloway for Woolf. She wrote in her diary about a book she was developing called The Hours which had a character named Septimus Warren.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
1. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 4)
1. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 4) "For having lived in Westminster-- how many years now? over twenty,--one feels even in the midst of the traffic, or waking at night, Clarissa was positive, a particular hush, or solemnity; an indescribable pause; a suspense (but that might be her heart, affected, they said, by influenza) before Big Ben strikes.":
Westminster is an area located in central London. It lies on the North bank of the Thames River. This area is home to many prestigious landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Most of London’s government buildings are located in this area. Clarissa Dalloway is the wife of a politician. It makes sense that they would reside in this part of London. In 1918- 1919, the Spanish Flu Pandemic struck the world. During this pandemic about 50 million to 100 million people worldwide were killed. Woolf develops Clarissa’s character and the hustle and bustle setting of London after the conclusion of World War I and the flu pandemic by describing London on a June day in a random stream of thought through the character of Mrs. Dalloway. Clarissa is aware that people are rejoicing over the end of tragic events but she is also tuned into a sensitivity that comes from living in challenging times.
“1918 Flu Pandemic.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 29 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918_flu_pandemic
“World War I.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 29 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I
"Westminster." Answers.com. 2009. 27 September 2009.
Westminster is an area located in central London. It lies on the North bank of the Thames River. This area is home to many prestigious landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Most of London’s government buildings are located in this area. Clarissa Dalloway is the wife of a politician. It makes sense that they would reside in this part of London. In 1918- 1919, the Spanish Flu Pandemic struck the world. During this pandemic about 50 million to 100 million people worldwide were killed. Woolf develops Clarissa’s character and the hustle and bustle setting of London after the conclusion of World War I and the flu pandemic by describing London on a June day in a random stream of thought through the character of Mrs. Dalloway. Clarissa is aware that people are rejoicing over the end of tragic events but she is also tuned into a sensitivity that comes from living in challenging times.
“1918 Flu Pandemic.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 29 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918_flu_pandemic
“World War I.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 29 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I
"Westminster." Answers.com. 2009. 27 September 2009.
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