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.