WHAT AN EXTRAORDINARY NIGHT!

ANALISYS

The extract is arranged into 8 paragraphs. The first paragraph focuses on what has happened: the death of the young man. the fact is so intriguing that you do not even talk  talk of it at parties. 

The three following paragraphs focus on the thoughts and reflections of Clarissa. She thinks about all aspects of life, death, happiness, people and past. The past is revealed most clearly in the fifth paragraph where Clarissa remembers the  time spent with Richard.  After that she recollects her thoughts  and returns with her  mind to this: she appears at the window and sees this and thinks. In this last paragraph Clarissa takes courage and tries to leave the past behind in order to live the present.

The language used is not complicated or difficult but it is clear. In this way the text is made understandable. There are many repetitions and conjunctions but despite this, the text is discursive and almost makes us sharers in the narration.

COMPREHENSION

Clarissa is told of Septimus's death and imagines him throwing himself from a window.

She reflects on life and death.

She contrasts her easy successful life with the death and suffering of other people.

She imagines the meeting between Septimus and Sir William.

She thinks life can be difficult, but she has the support of her husband.

She thinks of her happiness at Bourton and of the pleasure one derives from the activities of day-to-day life. She walks to the window.

She parts the curtains and sees an old lady looking at her.

She watches the old lady going to bed.

The sky is not as Clarissa had imagined it.

She thinks of Septimus again but does not pity him.

She decides to go back to her party.

INTERPRETATION

What is Clarissa's first reaction to Septimus's death?

1              Clarissa is present at the death of Septimus. She plays part in his death; she is distraught and she feels responsible and saddened by the loss and not being able to do anything. She feels more pain when guests talk about the incident to her party.

What is her view on death?

2              To Clarissa "death is a challenge. Death is an attempt at communication." death is not the right means of communication, you can not die and let others live, who does not deserve.

What is Clarissa's view of Sir Bradshaw?

3              Clarissa believes that Sir William Bradshaw, "is a great doctor, but surrounded with a sort of aura of evil." She sees him as a man without desires, kind to women, but at the same time capable of misdeeds.

What struggle characterises Clarissa's life?

4              Clarissa had life in his hands, had to go alone: he was afraid. Richard could take refuge at a time but now that he no longer is alone again. but she is saved: he has chosen death (unlike the young man) has been strong. and 'a shame for her punishment and having to see a man die and you to be strong enough to survive in evening dress hiding the pain.

In the last paragraph Clarissa is at the centre of the contrast between her social life and the world outside. Then suddenly a new thought comes to her and she experiences a "moment of being". What does she suddenly realize?

5              Clarissa looking out the window he saw that the sky was not as expected. the sky is supposed to see was solemn but he saw a dark sky as it was his soul. in that sky there was something about her. Then he realized that he had no pity for the man to whom he felt so close and decided it was appropriate to continue to live as did their guests.

Can you link the two quotations from Shakespeare to Clarissa's moods?

6              “If it were now to die, twere now to be most happy” and “fear no more the heat of the sun”: These two quotations from Shakespeare are linked to the mood of Clarissa. The first of these highlights the safety and awareness of his happiness he feels at peace with itself. The second quotation highlights a time instead of the more adult life of Clarissa. we understand that she has been through difficult but nevertheless is still here, strong and combative.

Focus on the language. Can you explain why many sentences are "loosely constructed", with lots of repetitions and conjunctions?

7              Perhaps to make the text more continuous and not fragmented. the use of conjunctions implies that something is happening to the other without interruption, it's all a continuous circle. The use of brand rather repeats the most important aspects of his narrative. Conjunctions and repetitions are typical of interior monologue. This new construct is a typical technique of Modernism.