“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.
1 comment:
interesting though, how seldom Miss Killman emerges in the story -- but perhaps even more interesting, look at the character with whom she is most associated -- not Clarissa but...
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