The text I am going to analyse is Mrs Dalloway, written by Virginia Woolf.

COMPREHENSION:

1. Where is Mrs Dalloway going?

She is going to the florist shop since she would like to buy the flowers herself.

2. What is her mood?
She is serious and calm however she is happy at the same time because of the good conditions of the weather: it is a fresh morning.

3. The passage mixes two different time dimensions. Which are they? What sound evokes the past in Clarissa's mind? 

The passage evokes two time dimensions which are: the present, in which Clarissa is in her fifties, and the past, when Clarissa was eighteen years old. A little squeak of the hinges made Clarissa remember her past time.

4. Who do you think is Peter Walsh? What does Clarissa say of him?

According to me, Peter Walsh is one of Clarissa’s closest friends. He may have been also Clarissa’s lover when she was younger. They still write letter to each other and so the thought of Peter accompanies Clarissa everyday in the streets of London. Clarissa says that she remembers him for his pocket-knife, for his eyes and smile and for his grumpiness.

5. What does Scrope Purvis think of Clarissa?

Scrope Purvis thinks that she is a charming woman. In addition he believes she is like a touch bird about her, of the jay, blue-green, light, vivacious. Moreover in Scrope Purvis’ idea, Clarissa grown very white from his illness.

6. What are Clarissa's thoughts while walking through the streets in Westminster?

She thinks about the decisions she made during her life. IN particular she thinks about the essence of life and she tries to say what is going to happen in her life. While reflecting to the beauty of the Big Ben, she thinks of the passing of time. She comes to the conclusion that loving the passing of time means loving life.

INTERPRETATION

1. Focus on the point of view. What kind of narrator is used?

The narrator is omniscient but she is doesn’t give her point of view during the narration. As a consequence the narrator is reliable.

2. Focus on style. Critics have often used the term “poetic prose” with reference to Woolf's style which features an abundance of repetitions, similes, imagery, lists and alliterations. Find at least one or two examples of each.

Repetition: “was that it?. Was that it”

Similies: the fresh morning -> “as if issued to children on a beach”

Imagery: “like the flap of a wave”;” the kiss of a wave”.

Lists: Peter Walsh is remembered by  the memories of “his eyes, his pocket-knife, his smile, his grumpiness”

Alliterations: “What a lack! What a plunge!”

3. Focus on character. How is Clarissa's character created? Through (more than one answer is possible)

- statements of the author

- Clarissa's thoughts and feelings

- Clarissa's behaviour

- the writer's use of imagery and symbols