Monday, September 29, 2008
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway is unlike any novel written prior to it. It is one day in the life of Mrs. Dalloway, told in a stream of consciousness style, but shifting through various character's viewpoints to tell the story. With Mrs. Dalloway, Woolf opened a new world in literature and inspired many other writers to follow her ideas. 15 concordances on Mrs. Dalloway follow.
Big Ben Clock Tower
“For having lived in Westminster—how many years now? over twenty,--one feels eve 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” (4).
Big Ben is the name of the bell located in the Clock Tower in London. The Clock Tower itself is often mistakenly referred to as ‘Big Ben’, which is the way Woolf is using it here. Big Ben is a symbol to the people of London, uniting them and representing strength, time, and glory. Woolf’s use of Big Ben places the setting of the novel in London, which is until this point unknown. In the novel, Big Ben represents the elapsing of time, as its chime is heard at various points throughout the novel indicating that the day is passing.
Works Cited:
"The Clock Tower (Big Ben): Facts and Figures." About Parliament. 26 Sept. 2008 http://www.parliament.uk/about/history/big_ben/facts.cfm.
Big Ben is the name of the bell located in the Clock Tower in London. The Clock Tower itself is often mistakenly referred to as ‘Big Ben’, which is the way Woolf is using it here. Big Ben is a symbol to the people of London, uniting them and representing strength, time, and glory. Woolf’s use of Big Ben places the setting of the novel in London, which is until this point unknown. In the novel, Big Ben represents the elapsing of time, as its chime is heard at various points throughout the novel indicating that the day is passing.
Works Cited:
"The Clock Tower (Big Ben): Facts and Figures." About Parliament. 26 Sept. 2008 http://www.parliament.uk/about/history/big_ben/facts.cfm.
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Shakespeare
“Fear no more the heat o’ the sun / Nor the furious winter’s rages” (9).
These are two lines from a Shakespearean song, “Elegy,” which appears in Shakespeare’s play Cymbeline. “Elegy” is a funeral song, which Clarissa happens to read as she is thinking about life and survival. Clarissa’s thoughts are contrasted by the two lines from “Elegy,” which are about the changing of the seasons and the passing of time, which represent aging and death.
These are two lines from a Shakespearean song, “Elegy,” which appears in Shakespeare’s play Cymbeline. “Elegy” is a funeral song, which Clarissa happens to read as she is thinking about life and survival. Clarissa’s thoughts are contrasted by the two lines from “Elegy,” which are about the changing of the seasons and the passing of time, which represent aging and death.
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Spectral Tyrants
“For it…had become one of those spectres with which one battles in the night; one of those spectres who stand astride us and suck up half our life-blood, dominators and tyrants” (12).
Spectres are ghostly apparitions that frighten any who see them; their existence has not been proven, but many people believe in them. Spectres are believed to drain humans of their life by taking sucking out the person’s soul. Woolf’s use of spectres in the novel brings in the surreal and supernatural, which makes the later use of ghosts and the surreal more believable.
Spectres are ghostly apparitions that frighten any who see them; their existence has not been proven, but many people believe in them. Spectres are believed to drain humans of their life by taking sucking out the person’s soul. Woolf’s use of spectres in the novel brings in the surreal and supernatural, which makes the later use of ghosts and the surreal more believable.
Great Bond Street
“Greatness was passing, hidden, down Bond Street, removed only by a hand’s-breadth from ordinary people” (16).
Bond Street is by far one of the most high-class streets in London. It is full of the most fashionable shops, and visited by the most famous people, as Lucrezia Smith is describing in this passage. Bond Street separates the exquisite from the ordinary, and has for the last three centuries. Woolf uses Bond Street to show that Clarissa, Lucrezia, Septimus, and all of the main characters are ordinary people based on their social statuses.
Works Cited:
Long, Christopher A. "Bond Street." Christopher Long. 27 Sept. 2008. http://www.christopherlong.co.uk/pri/bonstr.html
Bond Street is by far one of the most high-class streets in London. It is full of the most fashionable shops, and visited by the most famous people, as Lucrezia Smith is describing in this passage. Bond Street separates the exquisite from the ordinary, and has for the last three centuries. Woolf uses Bond Street to show that Clarissa, Lucrezia, Septimus, and all of the main characters are ordinary people based on their social statuses.
Works Cited:
Long, Christopher A. "Bond Street." Christopher Long. 27 Sept. 2008. http://www.christopherlong.co.uk/pri/bonstr.html
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Royalty!
“A small crowd meanwhile had gathered at the gates of Buckingham Palace. Listlessly, yet confidently, poor people all of them, they waited; looked at the Palace itself with the flag flying…and all the time let rumour accumulate in their veins and thrill the nerves in their thighs at the thought of Royalty looking at them” (19).
This shows how society worships the royalty of a country. To stand outside the palace, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Queen or the Prince just for the chance to have their eyes meet is absurd, but to these people it is very important. Woolf is using sarcasm to cast a disapproving tone on the actions of society and show that she does not agree with the worshipping of the royalty.
This shows how society worships the royalty of a country. To stand outside the palace, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Queen or the Prince just for the chance to have their eyes meet is absurd, but to these people it is very important. Woolf is using sarcasm to cast a disapproving tone on the actions of society and show that she does not agree with the worshipping of the royalty.
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Peter's Knife
“What an extraordinary habit that was, Clarissa thought; always playing with a knife” (44).
The knife is symbolic to Peter; it is a comforting habit to play with it when he is nervous or apprehensive. When Peter is being defensive, the knife comes out of his pocket. The knife also represents his indecisiveness and his volatility.
The knife is symbolic to Peter; it is a comforting habit to play with it when he is nervous or apprehensive. When Peter is being defensive, the knife comes out of his pocket. The knife also represents his indecisiveness and his volatility.
Battle Horses
“So before a battle begins, the horses paw the ground; toss their heads; the light shines on their flanks; their necks curve. So Peter Walsh and Clarissa, sitting side by side on the blue sofa, challenged each other” (44).
Woolf is comparing Clarissa and Peter to two horses ready for battle. Both horses are majestic, and although they are similar creatures, their fight is inevitable. Clarissa and Peter are close friends and love each other, yet they do not share the same feelings about several things, so they challenge each other. The imagery Woolf uses creates a tense atmosphere between Clarissa and Peter; they are sitting within inches of each other, yet there is about to be an immense battle between the two of them.
Woolf is comparing Clarissa and Peter to two horses ready for battle. Both horses are majestic, and although they are similar creatures, their fight is inevitable. Clarissa and Peter are close friends and love each other, yet they do not share the same feelings about several things, so they challenge each other. The imagery Woolf uses creates a tense atmosphere between Clarissa and Peter; they are sitting within inches of each other, yet there is about to be an immense battle between the two of them.
Socialist Duke
“Striding, staring, he glared at the statue of the Duke of Cambridge. He had been sent down from Oxford—true. He had been a Socialist, in some sense a failure—true. Still the future of civilisation lies, he thought in the hands of young men like that” (50).
Prince George, the Duke of Cambridge, was a member of the British Royal Family who was given the title Duke of Cambridge in 1850; he remained Duke until 1895. Prince George led his country as a Socialist using following the ideas and beliefs that everything should be owned by the public, without anything being owned privately. Peter believes that the future of not only his country, but civilization in general, would prosper best under Socialist rule.
Works Cited:
"Prince George, 2nd Duke of Cambridge." Knowledge Rush. 27 Sept. 2008
Prince George, the Duke of Cambridge, was a member of the British Royal Family who was given the title Duke of Cambridge in 1850; he remained Duke until 1895. Prince George led his country as a Socialist using following the ideas and beliefs that everything should be owned by the public, without anything being owned privately. Peter believes that the future of not only his country, but civilization in general, would prosper best under Socialist rule.
Works Cited:
"Prince George, 2nd Duke of Cambridge." Knowledge Rush. 27 Sept. 2008
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Lolloping Sirens
“Such are the visions which proffer great cornucopias full of fruit to the solitary traveler, or murmur in his ear like sirens lolloping away on the green sea waves, or are dashed in his face like bunches or roses, or rise to the surface like pale faces which fishermen flounder through floods to embrace” (57).
Here Woolf uses diction to create imagery that creates allusions. Woolf selects words that will stand out from the others because of their originality and the unusual flow they have with the rest of the sentences. The words in this passage are of a flowery language that becomes bulky at times, but serves to create imagery that helps the readers to understand the points Woolf is trying to make. An allusion created by this passage is to the sirens in the Odyssey. The sirens sit on rocks in the sea, and when travelers pass by they are drawn to the beauty of their singing.
Here Woolf uses diction to create imagery that creates allusions. Woolf selects words that will stand out from the others because of their originality and the unusual flow they have with the rest of the sentences. The words in this passage are of a flowery language that becomes bulky at times, but serves to create imagery that helps the readers to understand the points Woolf is trying to make. An allusion created by this passage is to the sirens in the Odyssey. The sirens sit on rocks in the sea, and when travelers pass by they are drawn to the beauty of their singing.
Photo Credit:
http://www.illusionsgallery.com/product.shtml?DR007
Finsbury Tomb
“Now they wore on them unmixed with sensual pleasure or daily preoccupations the solemnity of the wreath which they had fetched from Finsbury Pavement to the empty tomb” (51).
Here, Peter Walsh is following a group of young soldiers who carry a wreath from Finsbury Pavement to an empty tomb down the street of Whitehall. Peter is remarking on their dedication to their country, their expressionless faces, and their incredulous synchronization. Again, Woolf appears to be criticizing her country’s actions and beliefs through her character’s narration using a tone of sarcasm.
Here, Peter Walsh is following a group of young soldiers who carry a wreath from Finsbury Pavement to an empty tomb down the street of Whitehall. Peter is remarking on their dedication to their country, their expressionless faces, and their incredulous synchronization. Again, Woolf appears to be criticizing her country’s actions and beliefs through her character’s narration using a tone of sarcasm.
Weekly Water-Closets
“Now for instance there was a man writing quite openly in one of the respectable weeklies about water-closets” (71).
This shows the censorship that had taken place prior to the war. Talk of things such as water-closets (toilets) was not allowed in public, or published in a weekly magazine. The war caused a revolution in what was acceptable and society’s views became slightly more liberal.
This shows the censorship that had taken place prior to the war. Talk of things such as water-closets (toilets) was not allowed in public, or published in a weekly magazine. The war caused a revolution in what was acceptable and society’s views became slightly more liberal.
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Huxley and Tyndall Metaphors
“Her favourite reading as a girl was Huxley and Tyndall, and they were fond of these nautical metaphors” (77).
Huxley is Thomas Huxley, an English biologist, and Tyndall is John Tyndall, an Irish physicist. Both Huxley and Tyndall were authors of scientific topics, and their works being favorites of Clarissa shows that she enjoys the sciences more than she appears to. It also explains her analyses of everything through a scientific approach. Woolf makes Clarissa’s favorite books as a girl books filled with scientific research because Clarissa is critical of everything that she witnesses, and her enjoyment of the sciences explains that criticism.
Works Cited:
Van Wyhe, John. "John Tyndall." The Victorian Web. 28 Sept. 2002. 28 Sept. 2008 http://www.victorianweb.org/science/tyndall.htm.
Blinderman, Charles. "The Huxley File." The Huxley File. 1998. 28 Sept. 2008 http://aleph0.clarku.edu/huxley/.
Huxley is Thomas Huxley, an English biologist, and Tyndall is John Tyndall, an Irish physicist. Both Huxley and Tyndall were authors of scientific topics, and their works being favorites of Clarissa shows that she enjoys the sciences more than she appears to. It also explains her analyses of everything through a scientific approach. Woolf makes Clarissa’s favorite books as a girl books filled with scientific research because Clarissa is critical of everything that she witnesses, and her enjoyment of the sciences explains that criticism.
Works Cited:
Van Wyhe, John. "John Tyndall." The Victorian Web. 28 Sept. 2002. 28 Sept. 2008 http://www.victorianweb.org/science/tyndall.htm.
Blinderman, Charles. "The Huxley File." The Huxley File. 1998. 28 Sept. 2008 http://aleph0.clarku.edu/huxley/.
Keats?
“Was he not like Keats? she asked” (85).
John Keats is a famous English poet from the Romantic period. Woolf’s allusion to him continues a connection to the arts in the novel. Septimus’s appreciation for Keats suggests that he finds a sense of comfort in poetry, and because Septimus is a character parallel to Clarissa, that perhaps she finds comfort in poetry as well, even though her husband disapproves of expressing feeling and emotion. By referring to Keats, Woolf acknowledges and accepts that which Clarissa’s husband dislikes, and creates a contrast between her characters.
Works Cited:
"Biography." John Keats. 28 Sept. 2008 http://www.john-keats.com/.
John Keats is a famous English poet from the Romantic period. Woolf’s allusion to him continues a connection to the arts in the novel. Septimus’s appreciation for Keats suggests that he finds a sense of comfort in poetry, and because Septimus is a character parallel to Clarissa, that perhaps she finds comfort in poetry as well, even though her husband disapproves of expressing feeling and emotion. By referring to Keats, Woolf acknowledges and accepts that which Clarissa’s husband dislikes, and creates a contrast between her characters.
Works Cited:
"Biography." John Keats. 28 Sept. 2008 http://www.john-keats.com/.
Waterloo Shakespeare
“Lecturing in the Waterloo Road upon Shakespeare” (85).
Shakespeare has an influential role throughout this novel. Several of his works appear many times at various points in the novel. His play Cymbeline appears near the beginning of the novel and tries to open Clarissa to the idea of death, which she is dreading. Septimus is also drawn to a woman who lectures Shakespeare, who influences him to try his hand at poetry. During the time that Mrs. Dalloway takes place, the sharing and expression of thoughts, emotions, and feelings was unadvised and Shakespeare was not approved of, but Woolf disagreed and included Shakespeare anyway.
Shakespeare has an influential role throughout this novel. Several of his works appear many times at various points in the novel. His play Cymbeline appears near the beginning of the novel and tries to open Clarissa to the idea of death, which she is dreading. Septimus is also drawn to a woman who lectures Shakespeare, who influences him to try his hand at poetry. During the time that Mrs. Dalloway takes place, the sharing and expression of thoughts, emotions, and feelings was unadvised and Shakespeare was not approved of, but Woolf disagreed and included Shakespeare anyway.
Shakespeare, Shaw, and Darwin
“Shakespeare, Darwin…and Bernard Shaw” (85).
Shakespeare, Darwin, and Bernard Shaw were all revolutionary thinkers of their time. Shaw and Shakespeare were both famous playwrights, and Darwin was an evolution specialist. They were all freethinkers, something uncommon during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Through her inclusion of these freethinkers, Woolf is promoting the independence of thought.
Shakespeare, Darwin, and Bernard Shaw were all revolutionary thinkers of their time. Shaw and Shakespeare were both famous playwrights, and Darwin was an evolution specialist. They were all freethinkers, something uncommon during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Through her inclusion of these freethinkers, Woolf is promoting the independence of thought.
Works Cited:
"George Bernard Shaw." Kirjasto. 28 Sept. 2008 http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/gbshaw.htm.
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The Hours by Michael Cunningham
The Hours is a literary award receiving novel by Michael Cunningham based on Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway. It follows three women through the course of a day, interweaving their stories together. 15 concordances on The Hours follow.
Sarcophagus of Time
“Why did she buy this clock, this hideous thing, with its square green face in a rectangular black Bakelite sarcophagus”
The inclusion of this clock is significant because in Mrs. Dalloway, the tolling of Big Ben is heard and it represents the uncontrollable passing of time. Mrs. Brown does not like her clock for reasons more profound than the fact that it is ugly. She does not want the time to be slipping away from her as it is, yet there is nothing she can do to stop it and the clock just makes it inevitable.
The inclusion of this clock is significant because in Mrs. Dalloway, the tolling of Big Ben is heard and it represents the uncontrollable passing of time. Mrs. Brown does not like her clock for reasons more profound than the fact that it is ugly. She does not want the time to be slipping away from her as it is, yet there is nothing she can do to stop it and the clock just makes it inevitable.
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Muttering Voices
“She has failed, and now the voices are back, muttering indistinctly just beyond the range of her vision, behind her, here, no turn and they’ve gone somewhere else” (4).
At this early point in the prologue, the subject is unnamed, but it is clear that the character hearing voices is Virginia Woolf, the author of the novel The Hours is based on. In real life, Woolf suffered from mental insanity and attempted to commit suicide by drowning herself in a river. Michael Cunningham created an accurate character based on Virginia Woolf.
At this early point in the prologue, the subject is unnamed, but it is clear that the character hearing voices is Virginia Woolf, the author of the novel The Hours is based on. In real life, Woolf suffered from mental insanity and attempted to commit suicide by drowning herself in a river. Michael Cunningham created an accurate character based on Virginia Woolf.
Anzio
“Less than five years ago Dan himself was believed to have died, at Anzio” (39).
The Anzio landing took place in 1944 during World War II. Laura Brown’s husband, Dan, was in the landing at Anzio, Italy, and upon his return, he married Laura. This is similar to Septimus in Mrs. Dalloway, who also goes to war and marries his wife immediately upon returning. This is just another way that Cunningham creates a parallel story to Mrs. Dalloway.
Works Cited:
"Anzio 1944." 3 Oct. 2003. 28 Sept. 2008 http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/anzio/72-19.htm.
The Anzio landing took place in 1944 during World War II. Laura Brown’s husband, Dan, was in the landing at Anzio, Italy, and upon his return, he married Laura. This is similar to Septimus in Mrs. Dalloway, who also goes to war and marries his wife immediately upon returning. This is just another way that Cunningham creates a parallel story to Mrs. Dalloway.
Works Cited:
"Anzio 1944." 3 Oct. 2003. 28 Sept. 2008 http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/anzio/72-19.htm.
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Character or Author?
“Right now she is reading Virginia Woolf, all of Virginia Woolf, book by book” (42).
Virginia Woolf is the author of several well known critical literary works, with Mrs. Dalloway and A Room of One’s Own, among them. Woolf was the leading author to bring the new style of writing stream of consciousness into popularity during her time. Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway is the novel that inspired Cunningham’s The Hours. Characters from Mrs. Dalloway are recreated in The Hours with slight differences, but much of the basic plot remains the same.
Virginia Woolf is the author of several well known critical literary works, with Mrs. Dalloway and A Room of One’s Own, among them. Woolf was the leading author to bring the new style of writing stream of consciousness into popularity during her time. Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway is the novel that inspired Cunningham’s The Hours. Characters from Mrs. Dalloway are recreated in The Hours with slight differences, but much of the basic plot remains the same.
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Going Nuts
“I got a prize for having AIDS and going nuts and being brave about it, it had nothing to do with my work” (63).
Cunningham creates an alternate reason for Clarissa to be throwing a party. In Mrs. Dalloway, it is not explicit why there is a party, but during that period it was common for high-society women to throw parties frequently. Here in The Hours Clarissa is throwing the party for her friend Richard, who is about to receive a literary award. Cunningham brings the novel into the 21st century by addressing an issue that is much more common in current times: AIDS. AIDS is an immune system disease that has become much more known in recent times due to its widespread affliction in the United States.
Cunningham creates an alternate reason for Clarissa to be throwing a party. In Mrs. Dalloway, it is not explicit why there is a party, but during that period it was common for high-society women to throw parties frequently. Here in The Hours Clarissa is throwing the party for her friend Richard, who is about to receive a literary award. Cunningham brings the novel into the 21st century by addressing an issue that is much more common in current times: AIDS. AIDS is an immune system disease that has become much more known in recent times due to its widespread affliction in the United States.
Birds Singing in Greek
“Sometimes, faintly, she can distinguish a word. ‘Hurl,’ once, ‘under’ on two occasions. A flock of sparrows outside her window once sang, unmistakably, in Greek” (71).
The fictional Virginia Woolf is claiming to hear voices in her head that are telling her to hurl herself under, and that she heard birds singing in Greek. This is illustrative of the mental illness she is suffering from without blatantly saying that she is insane. The real Virginia Woolf also claimed to hear birds singing in Greek and to hear voices telling her to do rowdy things. By using real experiences of Virginia Woolf to create her fictional counterpart, Cunningham gives the novel a more realistic appeal.
Works Cited:
McManamy, John. "Virginia Woolf and Her Madness." McMan's Depression and Bipolar Web. 12 Feb. 2008. 28 Sept. 2008 http://www.mcmanweb.com/woolf.html.
The fictional Virginia Woolf is claiming to hear voices in her head that are telling her to hurl herself under, and that she heard birds singing in Greek. This is illustrative of the mental illness she is suffering from without blatantly saying that she is insane. The real Virginia Woolf also claimed to hear birds singing in Greek and to hear voices telling her to do rowdy things. By using real experiences of Virginia Woolf to create her fictional counterpart, Cunningham gives the novel a more realistic appeal.
Works Cited:
McManamy, John. "Virginia Woolf and Her Madness." McMan's Depression and Bipolar Web. 12 Feb. 2008. 28 Sept. 2008 http://www.mcmanweb.com/woolf.html.
The Host
“At this moment she could devour him, not ravenously but adoringly, infinitely gently, the way she used to take the Host into her mouth before she married and converted” (76).
The Host refers to the Eucharist in a Catholic Mass. The Eucharist is believed to be the body of Christ and is generally a cracker that is ingested during each service. Cunningham uses the Host to compare to the way Mrs. Brown feels about her son. The Host is not something that should be taken greedily, but rather savored and cherished, which is how Mrs. Brown feels about her son.
Photo Credit:
http://geoconger.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/eucharistic-wafers.jpg
The Host refers to the Eucharist in a Catholic Mass. The Eucharist is believed to be the body of Christ and is generally a cracker that is ingested during each service. Cunningham uses the Host to compare to the way Mrs. Brown feels about her son. The Host is not something that should be taken greedily, but rather savored and cherished, which is how Mrs. Brown feels about her son.
Photo Credit:
http://geoconger.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/eucharistic-wafers.jpg
Rilke's Apollo
“It is one thing to be asked to carry a cabbage across the street, quite another to be asked to carry the recently unearthed head of Rilke’s Apollo” (77).
Rilke’s Apollo, though it appears to be a statue, is actually a poem, “Torso of an Archaic Apollo.” Cunningham creates a weighted comparison between an ordinary cabbage and a literary statue. Rilke’s Apollo, if ever found, would be a great honor to carry, while a cabbage is merely a cabbage. The comparison is used to explain how Mrs. Brown’s son, Richie, is treating the cup of flour that he is holding with reverence.
Works Cited:
http://www.polyamory.org/~howard/Poetry/rilke_archaic_apollo.html
Rilke’s Apollo, though it appears to be a statue, is actually a poem, “Torso of an Archaic Apollo.” Cunningham creates a weighted comparison between an ordinary cabbage and a literary statue. Rilke’s Apollo, if ever found, would be a great honor to carry, while a cabbage is merely a cabbage. The comparison is used to explain how Mrs. Brown’s son, Richie, is treating the cup of flour that he is holding with reverence.
Works Cited:
http://www.polyamory.org/~howard/Poetry/rilke_archaic_apollo.html
Plato and Morris
“Owing nothing to old Aunt Helena, who sits every night in her accustomed chair and wonders aloud whether Plato and Morris are suitable reading for young women” (81).
Plato was a Greek aristocrat whose works dealt with life, its purpose, and how to live a successful life. William Morris was a British author who dabbled in politics on occasion. During Virginia’s time, it was highly unusual for a young girl to read novels and works of authors such as Plato and Morris, who were revolutionary thinkers of their times. Girls were supposed to read light and airy books, not the works of some of the greatest thinkers of all time.
Plato was a Greek aristocrat whose works dealt with life, its purpose, and how to live a successful life. William Morris was a British author who dabbled in politics on occasion. During Virginia’s time, it was highly unusual for a young girl to read novels and works of authors such as Plato and Morris, who were revolutionary thinkers of their times. Girls were supposed to read light and airy books, not the works of some of the greatest thinkers of all time.
Works Cited:
Kemerling, Garth. "Plato." Philosophy Pages. 9 Aug. 2006. 29 Sept. 2008 http://www.philosophypages.com/ph/plat.htm.
Cody, David. "Morris's Socialism." The Victorian Web. 15 Dec. 2002. 29 Sept. 2008 http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/morris/wmsocialm.html.
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An Amazonian
“So the subjugated Amazon stands on the riverbank wrapped in the fur of animals she has killed and skinned” (85).
An Amazonian warrior generally refers to a female warrior from the Amazon region. Amazons are known for being fierce fighters. In Amazonian culture, the women are more valued than the men are because it is their duty to provide for their family. Virginia compares Nelly to the Amazon warrior to show her fierceness and assumed superiority.
An Amazonian warrior generally refers to a female warrior from the Amazon region. Amazons are known for being fierce fighters. In Amazonian culture, the women are more valued than the men are because it is their duty to provide for their family. Virginia compares Nelly to the Amazon warrior to show her fierceness and assumed superiority.
Passing of Time
“Yes, and by four o’clock I meant the four o’clock that arrives almost five hours from now, now being exactly eight minutes past eleven. The twelve-thirty train would get you to London a few minutes past one. The two-thirty would deposit you back here just after three, quite promptly and safely, with the tea and ginger in hand. Am I miscalculating?” (86).
This passage shows the importance of time in the novel. Virginia places importance on Nelly being able to accomplish everything by a certain time. Virginia feels as though she has the power to control time by deciding which train to take and how much time there is remaining. By being able to control time, Virginia believes she is able to control her life as well because life is the passing of time.
This passage shows the importance of time in the novel. Virginia places importance on Nelly being able to accomplish everything by a certain time. Virginia feels as though she has the power to control time by deciding which train to take and how much time there is remaining. By being able to control time, Virginia believes she is able to control her life as well because life is the passing of time.
The Golden Notebook
“Clarissa’s copy of The Golden Notebook lay on the chipped white nightstand of the attic bedroom” (98).
The Golden Notebook is a novel by Doris Lessing focusing on the narcissistic aspects and the problems of the general society from the viewpoint of an artist. Cunningham specifically places The Golden Notebook on Clarissa’s nightstand because it is such a revolutionary novel and to show Clarissa reading it brings the feeling that Cunningham is trying to promote Lessing’s ideas.
The Golden Notebook is a novel by Doris Lessing focusing on the narcissistic aspects and the problems of the general society from the viewpoint of an artist. Cunningham specifically places The Golden Notebook on Clarissa’s nightstand because it is such a revolutionary novel and to show Clarissa reading it brings the feeling that Cunningham is trying to promote Lessing’s ideas.
Works Cited:
Hanford, Jan. "The Golden Notebook." Doris Lessing. 29 Sept. 2008 http://www.dorislessing.org/thegolden.html.
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Doris Lessing
“Lessing had been long overshadowed by other writers” (98).
Doris Lessing is the author behind The Golden Notebook and The Grass is Singing. Lessing grew up in South Africa, a culture that has influenced many of her works. Though it is difficult to believe, Lessing did not graduate high school, but instead taught herself to be an intellectual thinker. This is what makes it important that Clarissa has The Golden Notebook and looks forward to being able to read it. Clarissa herself is an independent thinker, and it is clear why she would enjoy an author such as Lessing.
Works Cited:
Hanford, Jan. "Biography." Doris Lessing. 29 Sept. 2008 http://www.dorislessing.org/biography.html.
Photo Credit:
http://www.dorislessing.org/biography.html
Yellow Roses of Peace
“Clarissa fills a vase with a dozen of the yellow roses” (123).
Flowers, specifically yellow roses appear in many places in the novel. Clarissa sets out to buy flowers for Richard’s party, Virginia sees yellow roses as a symbol for peace when she helps her niece place them around a dead bird, and when Luis visits Clarissa she fidgets with the location of the vase of yellow roses. The roses are symbolic of different things to each of the characters, but they are one of the many connections keeping the characters together.
Flowers, specifically yellow roses appear in many places in the novel. Clarissa sets out to buy flowers for Richard’s party, Virginia sees yellow roses as a symbol for peace when she helps her niece place them around a dead bird, and when Luis visits Clarissa she fidgets with the location of the vase of yellow roses. The roses are symbolic of different things to each of the characters, but they are one of the many connections keeping the characters together.
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Stereotypical Television Set
“Sally and Clarissa live in a perfect replica of an upper-class West Village apartment; you imagine somebody’s assistant striding through with a clipboard: French leather armchairs, check; bookshelves studded with small treasures acquired abroad, check. Even the eccentricities—the flea-market mirror frame covered in seashells, the scaly old South American chest painted with leering mermaids—feel calculated, as if the art director had looked it all over and said, ‘It isn’t convincing enough yet, we need more things to tell us who these people really are’” (127).
This passage looks at how Clarissa and Sally are a stereotypical New York couple, living in an apartment that is decorated as though it is a set for a television show or a movie. To outsiders, this is how their apartment appears—void of any emotion and creativity. It makes the readers question whether Sally and Clarissa have any originality or if they are just dreary women leading monotonous lives.
This passage looks at how Clarissa and Sally are a stereotypical New York couple, living in an apartment that is decorated as though it is a set for a television show or a movie. To outsiders, this is how their apartment appears—void of any emotion and creativity. It makes the readers question whether Sally and Clarissa have any originality or if they are just dreary women leading monotonous lives.
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