Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Mrs. Dalloway Wrap-Up
Comment on the resolution of the novel as well as the literary criticism assigned in the following articles: HERE As you complete your essay on Septimus's purpose in the novel, consider the following exam prompt:
"1981. The meaning of some literary works is often enhanced by sustained allusion to myths, the Bible, or other works of literature. Select a literary work that makes use of such a sustained reference. Then write a well-organized essay in which you explain the allusion that predominates in the work and analyze how it enhances the work’s meaning."
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I thought the ending of the novel was a little abrupt. There was no real resolution, but I guess that makes sense because the story takes place within one day so there is not a real ending to the day. At the end Peter makes a comment about Clarissa, but is he saying that it’s Clarissa, and it has always been Clarissa who he is in love with?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the part where Clarissa found out about the death of Septimus. I think her reflection on it helped me understand his death a lot and how Septimus killing himself was him openly resisting society and its oppression.
The first article by Isabel Gamble has a lot of quotes and analysis that helped me for my paper. I think it made the relationship between Septimus and Clarissa a little more clear, and it also helped me understand why Septimus "does not feel."
“In comprehending Septimus’ death...Clarissa herself discovers her own identity”
“After the war, ‘something failed him; he could not feel’. The real truth is, of course, that Septimus has felt too deeply, has been shaken and numbed by shell shock and the war, specifically by the death of his friend Evans; his feeling has flowed through channels deeper than any so far sounded by Clarissa.”
“But he has never gone beyond the first paralyzing numbness to see, consciously, the reality of his emotion.”
“It is her punishment, she reflects, thus to participate in death, and at the same time to be helpless, forced to stand here in her evening dress.”
In response to your question regarding Peter, I think that it is his confession for how he has always loved Clarissa, and it was his way of finally reaching acceptance with that fact. Similar to you, I found the ending of the novel abrupt, and a bit anticlimactic. Then again, the story really at surface level is just about a day in June and a party. I did think that the scene where Clarissa reflects on Septimus' death was important, but I did not see it as a way to show her "discovering her identity" and "becoming whole," as the first article by Gamble states. I really did not make a connection that Septimus was Clarissa's double until I read Isabel Gamble's article. Now looking back at it, it makes a lot of sense. Gamble highlights the "coldness at the centre of Mrs. Dalloway," and I realized that when Clarissa learns about Septimus' death, it's one of the first times she feels "her dress flamed, her body burnt." She has a strong reaction to Septimus' death that now I can see is able to complete her.
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ReplyDeleteI thought the ending of the novel tied many of the loose ends, incorporated recurring motifs, and was perfectly dissatisfying. I loved that Clarissa's character kind of left us with the notion that she understood Septimus's defecation because she too sometimes was not entirely satisfied with her life. Reading this part made me appreciate Clarissa so much more as a complex character; here we have this "perfect hostess" who puts on different personas for different people and works so diligently to appear as the perfect woman, and to have her confess within her thoughts to a somewhat cryptic mentality is so refreshingly honest.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, Clarissa's understanding of Septimus's suicide provides some great quotes if anyone is looking for some for their paper. Pages 184-185 really are great because they talk about Septimus's treatment and thought process so accurately.
The final lines of the book provide the perfect ending to the "beauty is truth" motif. Richard has been pretty distanced from Clarissa the entire text but is drawn toward his daughter at the end of the party and sees her beauty. While Richard seems to see the beauty in his daughter more so than in his wife, Peter is looking for Clarissa half the party and ends the novel admiring her. Clarissa is Peter's beauty but (ironically) not necessarily Richard's. "For there she was". Ugh, melts my heart, love it.
I was satisfied with the ending of Mrs. Dalloway. I especially liked the connection between Septimus and Clarissa. I thought Clarissa’s revelation about Septimus’s suicide cleared up how Septimus was a double for Clarissa. John Graham also cleared this up in an article. He explained how Septimus breaks the glass when he throws himself through the window, but Clarissa does not break the glass when she is standing near the window in the end of the book. This shows how Septimus becomes independent from time, but Clarissa cannot, she sees integrity in this, but she can’t because she is rooted in time.
ReplyDeleteThe second article had some interesting insights about how Clarissa and Septimus were doubles due to their loneliness. I didn’t really see the significance of Clarissa’s being “cold” on the inside until now. This article mentioned how Septimus is like a “drowned sailor” (p77) which relates to how Clarissa is feeling out to sea. This helped me to better understand the connection between Clarissa and Septimus.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I like how Big Ben chimes again during the scene of Clarissa’s revelation. I think it represents how Clarissa is now able to move on because of what she’s learned from Septimus. She also thinks again about “fear no more the heat of the sun,” which shows how she is not afraid to continue living life.
I agree with your comment about Clarissa's revelation. I feel that the point at which Clarissa returns to the idea/ quotation "fear no more the heat of the sun", is the moment when Clarissa truly identifies with Septimus. Clarissa feels the intense emotion and is overwhelmed by hearing about Septimus's death. It seems as if Clarissa is experiencing the reality of death herself. Her emotions are intensified with this experience and she is able to "feel the beauty, feel the fun". Clarissa is struck by reality which exposes her to a lapse of extreme emotion and feeling.
DeleteTo add to my prior comment, I also found it interesting to read about how Clarissa and Septimus are doubles in the first article. It is explained that Clarissa has a certain emptiness while Septimus is overwhelmed by blinding emotions of beauty and fear, It seems that Clarissa's emptiness is filled by the presence and realization of death.
DeleteI agree that it is significant that we hear Big Ben strike again at the end of the novel. It really represents how time is ceaseless. Additionally this is the point in the novel where Clarissa, after reflecting upon Septimus's suicide, is no longer afraid to face the hours that are ahead of her. Throughout the novel Clarissa struggles to face the reality of her own aging and spends a lot of time thinking of the past and the summer or Burton and how things may be different if she had chosen Peter over Richard. But at the end of the novel Clarissa comes to terms with it and embraces each passing hour.
DeleteI liked the last line of the novel. I know that is seems a bit vague and abrupt, but I think it is actually quite profound if you look at it twice. We know that "And there she was" is a reference back to the middle of the novel to w different time when Peter was thinking about Clarissa a Burton, so that's a nice connection.
ReplyDeleteBut further than that, "and there she was" ties into the idea of "the hours". Clarissa is static in this novel. She is the main character so the novel revolves around her. Much of the novel passes with Peter thinking about how little Clarissa's personality has changed. HIs feelings towards her certainly haven't changed either.
I think the line "and there she was" talks about how the characters are living their lives--"facing the hours" -- but are unable to change the course of their destiny.
ReplyDeleteThe first article by Isabel Gamble explains what I got out of the end of the novel. I previously only had a slight understanding of how Septimus serves as a doppelganger for Clarissa, but the end of the novel solidified that connection. I like how Septimus’s literal death parallels Clarissa’s potential death and “the death of Clarissa’s soul”. I think the ending adds depth to Clarissa’s character that was otherwise missing.
One of my favorite parts of the ending was how William Bradshaw comes to the party and ruins the mood by talking about Septimus’s death. This is really telling of his character and his representation of human nature. Clarissa does not like Sir William Bradshaw, but she cannot identify why he is so detestable. This further connects Clarissa to Septimus because they both see something in Bradshaw that they dislike and even hate.
I thought it was a powerful moment when Clarissa is fuming about Bradshaw “talking of death at her party” because it shows how she expects her parties to run with certain etiquette and it provokes her to think about death and understand why Septimus defenestrated himself.
ReplyDeleteThe first article by Isabel Gamble explains what I got out of the end of the novel. I previously only had a slight understanding of how Septimus serves as a doppelganger for Clarissa, but the end of the novel solidified that connection. I like how Septimus’s literal death parallels Clarissa’s potential death and “the death of Clarissa’s soul”. I think the ending adds depth to Clarissa’s character that was otherwise missing.
One of my favorite parts of the ending was how William Bradshaw comes to the party and ruins the mood by talking about Septimus’s death. This is really telling of his character and his representation of human nature. Clarissa does not like Sir William Bradshaw, but she cannot identify why he is so detestable. This further connects Clarissa to Septimus because they both see something in Bradshaw that they dislike and even hate.
I thought it was a powerful moment when Clarissa is fuming about Bradshaw “talking of death at her party” because it shows how she expects her parties to run with certain etiquette and it provokes her to think about death and understand why Septimus defenestrated himself.
I found the first article to be really helpful mainly because it brought up a connection between Septimus, Clarissa and Evans that I had not realized. After Septimus dies, he is unable to feel the normal emotions of someone who is dealing with grief. The article states, "(Septimus) has dailed to look at himself without fear, to face the terror of his love" and so "the result is a loss of self" and an inability to feel anything from it. After Septimus dies, however, Clarissa is able to feel from his death. She reflects on it, finds solace in it and finds strength in it. As the article says, "He made her feel beauty" and because of Septimus's death "Clarissa herself discovers her own identity". Though their reactions to death is a difference between Septimus and Clarissa I definitely think it further solidifies that he is her double.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Grace because I feel like this article really highlighted Woolf's message of creating Septimus as a double for Clarissa. One part I found interesting about this article was a note that Virginia Woolf had once been interested about viewing the world through the "sane and insane side by side". Septimus, having a deranged mind after the war, works as an "insane" character that struggles mentally. Although Clarissa may be viewed as the "sane" character in the novel I think it is important to note that the two do share similar qualities (feeling of oppression, and realizing society is not perfect). Clarissa is able to learn a lot from Septimus and I believe Woolf purposely had Septimus be the solution to Clarissa's "almost" death.
DeleteI think that throughout the book I noticed that there were some similarities between Septimus and Clarissa, such as the fact that they were described as being bird like, but I never thought to take it as far as saying that Clarissa and Septimus were doubles. The first article added an interesting insight into this idea. To add to caroline idea, I think that this comparison between the “sane and the insane” acts as a message for the people of Virginia Wolfe’s time, as the treatments for Septimus clearly were not sufficient and he was unable to deal with the things that Clarissa was able to deal with.
DeleteI found bits and pieces of both the articles by Simon and Gamble to be helpful with my essay. Regarding the quote "fear no more the heat of the sun", Simon stated, "and to him the sun is now terrifying, now gentle". I thought that this quote portrayed Septimus in the familiar way that he has many contradicting emotions and thoughts towards his life. Since the sun represents life and truth, it is noticed that Septimus is unafraid of the truth as he once was (his inability to confront Evans' death). I think that this quote really intertwines with Septimus's death scene because he is no longer afraid of the death that he was previously thought that the world was forcing upon him. This also relates to the quote "fear no more says the heart, committing its burden to some sea" because of the idea that the individual finally accepts the idea of death (the sinking or a burden to the bottom of the sea). Further explaining Septimus's inability to understand his emotions, Gamble states, "He had never gone beyond the first paralyzing numbness to see, consciously, the reality of his emotion". Overall, these articles greatly helped with the dissection of the character of Septimus to further understand his confusing emotions.
ReplyDeleteI found bits and pieces of both the articles by Simon and Gamble to be helpful with my essay. Regarding the quote "fear no more the heat of the sun", Simon stated, "and to him the sun is now terrifying, now gentle". I thought that this quote portrayed Septimus in the familiar way that he has many contradicting emotions and thoughts towards his life. Since the sun represents life and truth, it is noticed that Septimus is unafraid of the truth as he once was (his inability to confront Evans' death). I think that this quote really intertwines with Septimus's death scene because he is no longer afraid of the death that he was previously thought that the world was forcing upon him. This also relates to the quote "fear no more says the heart, committing its burden to some sea" because of the idea that the individual finally accepts the idea of death (the sinking or a burden to the bottom of the sea). Further explaining Septimus's inability to understand his emotions, Gamble states, "He had never gone beyond the first paralyzing numbness to see, consciously, the reality of his emotion". Overall, these articles greatly helped with the dissection of the character of Septimus to further understand his confusing emotions.
ReplyDeleteI thought the end of the novel was very appropriate. It dealt with many of the subjects that had come up through the novel; most importantly it dealt with the party and with Septimus' death. The moment where Clarissa connects with Septimus simply because she heard of his death shows us a depth to Clarissa. Virginia Woolf shows a compassionate women who can appreciate her life in that moment in full because of someone else's death. I thought the articles brought up interesting points connecting Septimus with Clarissa.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about the ending of the novel. I felt as though it addressed a trivial point in the book; when Septimus commits suicide and how it affects Clarissa. Although I would have to agree with what Montana said in a previous comment about the ending of the book seeming abrupt. I never felt as though the book drew a conclusion although I think that maybe symbolic in some way to how Virginia Woolf interprets one's life.
DeleteI like how Kate used the word "appropriate." I agree with her interpretation of the ending. I agree that the articles bring up interesting points that connect Septimus and Clarissa more directly. I believe that the ending is meant to be abrupt, as montana and meghan, to illuminate that decisions are abrupt and mental illness can influence the abruptness of an ending (i.e Septimus's suicide). I liked how the end connected back to the beginning and how it ended rather suddenly.
DeleteI like how Kate used the word "appropriate." I agree with her interpretation of the ending. I agree that the articles bring up interesting points that connect Septimus and Clarissa more directly. I believe that the ending is meant to be abrupt, as montana and meghan, to illuminate that decisions are abrupt and mental illness can influence the abruptness of an ending (i.e Septimus's suicide). I liked how the end connected back to the beginning and how it ended rather suddenly.
DeleteI thought the end of the novel was very appropriate. It dealt with many of the subjects that had come up through the novel; most importantly it dealt with the party and with Septimus' death. The moment where Clarissa connects with Septimus simply because she heard of his death shows us a depth to Clarissa. Virginia Woolf shows a compassionate women who can appreciate her life in that moment in full because of someone else's death. I thought the articles brought up interesting points connecting Septimus with Clarissa.
ReplyDeleteI kind of see the connection between Clarissa and Septimus, at least more so after reading the first article. They are connected through how polar opposite they are. Clarissa feels Septimus's death while he cannot feel his friend Evans' death.
ReplyDeleteI kind of see the connection between Clarissa and Septimus, at least more so after reading the first article. They are connected through how polar opposite they are. Clarissa feels Septimus's death while he cannot feel his friend Evans' death.
ReplyDeleteGamble's article really helped me to connect Septimus and Clarissa without simply stating that they are the same kind of person, because they are actually more opposites. I hadn't previously noticed how essential the idea of failure seemed to be in the characterization of both Septimus and Clarissa. Septimus feels he has failed Evens through his lack of feeling (which is really just delusion). But even Clarissa "through some contraction of [her] cold spirit, had failed him". "Him" referring to Peter and the feeling he expected from her that she could not give. These feelings of failures in both Clarissa and Septimus seem to cause some kind of repression of feeling in the both of them, making it hard for them to find and deal with the truths and purpose of their lives.
ReplyDeleteIn the last couple of scenes, I like how a lot of things are repeated and come full circle. One example is the heat of the sun being used in the beginning and the end of the novel. Also, in the first page, Clarissa opens the "french windows" and feels a plunge (hint hint). There was major foreshadowing their and also illuminates the connection between Clarissa and Septimus. The old woman from the room across the street was also interesting, although I didn't divulge too deep into the symbolism of that. The first time the woman is introduced, Clarissa wonders where that woman is going. In the end of the novel, she is going to sleep. There are so many microscopic details in this book and it all comes full circle.
ReplyDeleteThe last few paragraphs of the articles were really helpful when it came to writing and finishing off my paper. Most of what they were saying fit perfectly into what I was trying to say about the connection between Clarissa and Septimus. I basically took an entire paragraph and broke it up into smaller quotes and integrated it into my paper. I think with the articles it helped to wrap up my paper and have a solid conclusion to what I was trying to say.
ReplyDeleteI loved the end of the novel because I feel as though it clarifies the purpose of the relationship between Clarissa and Septimus. They truly are emotional doubles, in the sense that both characters experience a similar numbness in their emotions and a difficulty in communicating their emotions. Yet, by killing himself, Septimus is able to completely convey his message of truth and individuality to Clarissa herself, thus empowering her to face the heat of the sun and the hours to come. This death is what brings life to Clarissa's party, for it reminds her of the future she has and the beauty of her soul. I found both articles helpful in guiding me throughout the analysis of my essay- particularly the first one. The first article helped me better evaluate Septimus's insanity and the way in which it relates to guilt and fear. He is perfectly capable of feeling, however it is the guilt he feels over his reaction to Evans's death that keeps him from ever feeling authentically again.
ReplyDeleteI loved the end of the novel because I feel as though it clarifies the purpose of the relationship between Clarissa and Septimus. They truly are emotional doubles, in the sense that both characters experience a similar numbness in their emotions and a difficulty in communicating their emotions. Yet, by killing himself, Septimus is able to completely convey his message of truth and individuality to Clarissa herself, thus empowering her to face the heat of the sun and the hours to come. This death is what brings life to Clarissa's party, for it reminds her of the future she has and the beauty of her soul. I found both articles helpful in guiding me throughout the analysis of my essay- particularly the first one. The first article helped me better evaluate Septimus's insanity and the way in which it relates to guilt and fear. He is perfectly capable of feeling, however it is the guilt he feels over his reaction to Evans's death that keeps him from ever feeling authentically again.
ReplyDeleteThe end of the novel was consistent with the development of the characters. Gamble clarifies the connection between Mrs. Dalloway and Septimus with her realization through his death (and also partially on her own). Additionally, the minor characters also find different degrees of peace with Peter's recognized love of Clarissa , Richard's appreciation of Elizabeth, etc. The lack of a definitive road map of the peoples' futures merely continues the theme of continuing time effectively. I was satisfied by these aspects of the novel, and both articles were helpful in writing the essay.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Jeff where I feel like the end of the novel was pretty predictable and was an appropriate ending regarding all of the character developments throughout the novel. Something I really enjoyed about the ending is how it brought two characters together without physically putting them together and that really made me think and appreciate the purpose of the two individual characters. This ending also made me focus on the many similarities that Septimus & Clarissa had throughout the novel that I did not catch until the end.
DeleteI was personally not a fan of the novel as a whole, but the end of the novel I felt tied together all of the events of the book well. I also think that there is a clear conclusion of Clarissa dealing with death at her party, and coming to terms with herself. The parallel between Clarissa and Septimus is unveiled with Clarissa's final speech. They both are trapped in their pasts, Septimus in the war and Clarissa at Bourton, and both experience somewhat of a numbness to the world around them. The last line "For there she was" I think brings Clarissa back in to the real world that she is living in. She was just there, not anywhere else, no back in Bourton, just there. Overall I think that the ending wrapped up the novel nicely, and the last line is just as powerful as the first line
ReplyDeleteI was personally not a fan of the novel as a whole, but the end of the novel I felt tied together all of the events of the book well. I also think that there is a clear conclusion of Clarissa dealing with death at her party, and coming to terms with herself. The parallel between Clarissa and Septimus is unveiled with Clarissa's final speech. They both are trapped in their pasts, Septimus in the war and Clarissa at Bourton, and both experience somewhat of a numbness to the world around them. The last line "For there she was" I think brings Clarissa back in to the real world that she is living in. She was just there, not anywhere else, no back in Bourton, just there. Overall I think that the ending wrapped up the novel nicely, and the last line is just as powerful as the first line
ReplyDeleteOverall I felt that the novel was a bit dry, however the message it delivers is more profound than in most novels I've read in my high school English classes. The end of the novel in particular I think helped the message to become more clear, as well as explain any loose ended scenes from the rest of the story. The parallel between Clarissa and Sepitmus is finally illustrated with clarity and this allows for a solid conclusion to Clarissa's thoughts and emotional uncertainty. Clarissa is able to regain her position in her present life and exist there rather than in her past and mind. The last line "For there she was" is simple but it holds the entire purpose of the novel within it. Much like the first line of the novel, it allows for the complex nature of human life and experience to shine through a seemingly simple exterior.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that has stuck with me throughout the whole novel was how applicable it is in daily life just going hour by hour through my own day I think it is unbelievable how well Woolf captures every single thought. Turning to a more analytical side I agree with Sarah about how the ending makes the connection between Septimus and Clarissa clear and concrete. For awhile the novel was beginning to loose me in all the indirect and different discourses but that connection brought the whole ending full circle and made the lesson, purpose and theme all clear.
ReplyDelete