Works Cited for Mrs. Dalloway AND The Hours

Works Cited

"Antony and Cleopatra." Sparknotes. 2008. 29 Sept. 2008 .

Bradford, Wade. "Aeschylus: The Found of Greek Tragedy." About.com. 2008. New York Times Company. 29 Sept. 2008 .

"The Byrds--Eight Miles High Lyrics." Metrolyrics. 29 Sept. 2008 .

"The Byrds--Eight Miles High Lyrics." Metrolyrics. 29 Sept. 2008 .

"Fear no more the heat o' the sun." 29 Sept. 2008 .

"O. Henry." 29 Sept. 2008 .

"Othello: Act 2, Scene 1." Clicknotes.com. 29 Sept. 2008 .

"Ranier Maria Rilke." 29 Sept. 2008 .

"St. Margaret's Church." Westminster Abbey. Dean and Chapter of Westminster. 29 Sept. 2008 .

"Summary of Cymbeline and Characters." Globe Theatre. 29 Sept. 2008 .

29 Sept. 2008 .

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"Vanity Fair: About the Novel: A Brief Synopsis." CliffsNotes. Wiley Publishing, Inc. 29 Sept. 2008 .

Proportion.

"Shredding and slicing, dividing and subdividing, the clocks of Harley Street nibbled at the June day, counselled submission, upheld authority, and pointed out in chorus the supreme advantages of a sense of proportion, until the mound of time was so far diminished..." (Woolf 155).

Here is the direct line drawn between "proportion" and "time."  Septimus Smith, who is going insane, is told by his doctors that he lacks a sense of "proportion."  It is shown here that proportion also means time--the clocks are sounding the "advantages of proportion."  This proportion, this respect to time, keeps people on tracks, makes them aware of their lives and how they are passing, aware of every moment.  Clarissa is aware, but Septimus is not.

Innumerable decayed teeth.

"When London is a grass-grown path and all those hurrying along the pavement this Wednesday morning are but bones with a few wedding rings mixed up in their dust and the gold stoppings of innumerable decayed teeth.  The face in the motor car will then be known."  (Woolf 23).

This quote, from Clarissa Dalloway's point of view, is yet another example of her belief and reliance in time and conclusions.  Clarissa knows that time passes, that everything changes, and dies.  She sees it as inevitable that London will fall into ruins, a "grass-grown path" and that all of its inhabitants will die and be "but bones."  There is a mention here, too, however, that love lasts beyond this--the only things left will be a "few wedding rings mixed up in their dust."  She also sees time as a wise force, that only time can tell the truth--"The face in the motor car will then be know."

This too shall pass.

Chained to a sinking ship.

“She said to herself, As we are a doomed race, chained to a sinking ship (her favourite reading as a girl was Huxley and Tyndall, and they were fond of these nautical metaphors), as the whole thing is a bad joke, let us, at any rate, do our part; mitigate the suffering of our fellow-prisoners (Huxley again); decorate the dungeon with flowers and air-cushions; be as decent as we possibly can.”  (Woolf 117).

This perfectly exemplifies Clarissa’s view on life.  She knows that death is coming, is inevitable, as is the passing of time.  Nobody is exempt from these things.  However, for as long as we are alive, we should make the most of what we have here on earth, and appreciate the beauty of it.

What does the brain matter?

“‘What does the brain matter,’ said Lady Rosseter, getting up, ‘compared with the heart?’” (Woolf 296).

This simple quote, appearing on the last page of the novel, is very important and shows many different themes of the book.  This sentence is spoken by Sally Seton, who has married and taken on a different name (Rosseter).  Up until this point in the book, she was referred to as Sally, or Sally Seton, and shown as carefree, extravagant, and daring.  Here, however, at the end of the novel, Woolf calls her “Lady Rosseter,” which shows that she has grown up, grown old.  Another theme or contemplation posed throughout the novel is the question of whether love fades with age, whether one’s prime for love and relationships is in their youth.  Here, however, Lady Rosseter, who has grown up and out of girlhood, mentions how the heart is still more important than the brain.  This seems like a definitive answer, with it being at the end of the book and Sally being a character looked up to by almost everone throughout the book—she seems to say, here, with supreme knowledge, that yes, love is possible in old age.  Lastly, there has been a debate throughout the book of whether it is better to love the world simply because it is there, without any knowledge of its shortcomings, or to gain knowledge and thought, which might, in the end, make one less happy.  This quote says that matters of the heart and far more important than those of the brain and of logic—the heart is what you should listen to.

Oh, here's death!

“Oh!  thought Clarissa, in the middle of my party, here’s death, she thought.”  (Woolf 279).

This quote, from Clarissa’s point of view, shows how frivolous she is; but also her happiness.  Clarissa is upset because, at her party, people are discussing a young man’s death—his suicide even.  Clarissa, although her life is centered around time and its importance, as is shown by the incessant striking of the hours throughout Clarissa’s day, does not like to think about the future.  She lives only, exactly, in the present, not thinking about death or what comes later.  But, at the same time, because she does not think about it, she does not fear it—her mind is never troubled, never bothered.  Time controls her, yes, but only in a instantaneous way—the hour strikes, then dissolves.  Another hour strikes, and that one, too, leaves.  She need not worry about death, because it is inevitable.

Fool! Simpleton!

“Miss Kilman felt, Fool!  Simpleton!  You who have known neither sorrow nor pleasure; who have trifled your life away!”  (Woolf 189).

The thoughts of Miss Kilman presented here serve as juxtaposition with Mrs. Dalloway and her feelings, which better develops them.  Miss Kilman has a lot of knowledge, but very little in the way of riches and decadence, as opposed to Clarissa, who is rich and beautiful but not very intelligent.  However, Clarissa leads a happy, carefree life—she ardently loves “life, London, this moment of June” and everything about the world.  In contrast, Miss Kilman, despite all her knowledge, is unhappy and lonely.  This contrast serves to bring out the theme of innocence, and how sometimes knowing less can make you happier.