Part 1: What is it all about?
Big Ben: A constant reminder that time is always passing, we are always moving closer to death. This is a huge awareness for Clarissa, and Septimus. Their awareness of the passing hours makes everyday mundane events more meaningful, and at times threatening. Clarissa’s consciousness of time passing causes her to evaluate her life constantly. Septimus’ consciousness of death turns into his only escape, as he feels the pressure to conform to societal norms are beyond his capability.
The party: brings all these people who have lived distinctly different lives together. It allows us to evaluate the importance of their interactions and communication. These people have drawn upon each others strengths and weaknesses to define themselves, and to reflect upon what is important to them in the history of their lives. This is apparent in Sally Seton and Peter Walsh’s reminiscent interaction, and also Clarissa’s neglect to engage fully with her childhood friends. Clarissa’s full character is only made observable through her hospitable actions and her guest’s reception at the party. Communication is vital to Clarissa’s soulful desires, -yet it seems her interactions with others are superficial. Clarissa is also consumed by thoughts of Septimus’ death and reflects on it as a desperate, yet meaningful form of communication. Perhaps Septimus’ death helps Clarissa to be more at peace with her mortality. I think the party signifies the importance of meaningful interactions with other people. These interactions make us who we are by leaving impressions on our souls.
The Old Woman in the Window: could be representative of serenity and purity of soul. Clarissa admires this lady’s independence but also sees her vulnerability of loneliness. The fact that Clarissa hosts the party explains her desire to be among people, yet as she grows older, she becomes more reflective and less communicative with her peers. Clarissa feels preserving independence is essential for the soul, but I feel she is too willing to let go of her life-long connections with the people she loves in order to do so.
Part 2: The old woman singing in the park
The old woman singing in the park juxtaposes the significance of Big Ben and keeping track of time. The old woman demonstrates that time is circular as opposed to linear, as she continues to sing the same song over and over non-stop. The old woman and her song know no boundaries of time, despite the other character’s obsession with it. Furthermore, the old lady is oblivious to everyone around her and does not care what they think. Her song signifies the importance of celebrating life, endurance and continuity. It is interesting that Rezia finds relief in the old lady’s ways, and feels that everything will work out in the end; whereas Peter is annoyed and takes pity on her, gives her change and leaves quickly. These two characters’ actions resemble their personal thoughts on impending death. It seems promising that Rezia will overcome the challenges of Septimus’ death, whereas Peter has lived a life full of regret and self-deception.
Part 3 Response to Janet Danks:
I like the way Janet reflected on main character’s and the depths of their cave. I agree that Woolf has hollowed her character’s caves with humanity and depth by delving into their past, their emotions and how it affects them presently. Woolf connects her caves and I enjoy the image of how their connectedness brings them into the daylight so that we may clearly see the depths and crevices of their personalities. The image of a cave remaining dark until it is brought to daylight by the connection with another cave indicates the importance of people’s relations/interactions with each other. These interactions serve to highlight specific character qualities.
