2016-18 A Level English
'Wuthering Heights' and 'Mrs Dalloway'
Friday 30 September 2016
Gothic
The Gothic movement is important in understanding the literary and social context for "Wuthering Heights" and Victorian literature generally. There is a series of excellent short articles here on the British Library website (which is a good resource for most periods of literature) and watch the videos. The catalogue for their major exhibition on Gothic, held a few years ago, is held in the 6th form library. There is also a section on Gothic in the book "Key Concepts in Victorian Literature" by Sean Purchase, which is also in the 6th form library. This book breaks down the key contextual factors in an easily accessible form and is essential reading.
Tuesday 27 September 2016
Parts 3, 4, 5 and 6 Mrs Dalloway
1. What illness is Dalloway suffering from?
2. How do you think Dalloway's revelation that she was in love with Sally would have been received at the time of publication?
3. Why does Woolf suggest a comparison of the relationship between Dalloway and Sally to Shakespeare's Othello and Desdemona?
4. Why does Dalloway describe her kiss with Sally as a 'religious experience'?
5. Peter has a habit of interrupting Dalloway at inappropriate times. Why do you think Woolf has written his entrances in like this?
6. What is the significance of Dalloway's green dress?
7. Why do you think Dalloway feels nun-like and virginal now she is over the age of 50?
8. Were you shocked when Woolf revealed Dalloway's age? Why? Why not?
9. Consider the symbolism of doors and windows in the novel.
10. Why do you think Dalloway married Richard, as opposed to Peter or continuing her relationship with Sally?
11. What do you consider Peter's 'moment of being' to be?
12. What is significance of the bell on page 37?
13. Discuss the significance of 'nobody yet knew he was in London, except Clarissa'.
14. It becomes apparent that Dalloway and Peter are obsessed with age. Why do you think Woolf constantly mentions age in these parts?
15. Bearing in mind Dalloway's relationship with Sally, do you find it strange that Dalloway reacts so badly to the news of a woman giving birth before she is married? Why? Why not?
16. What is significant about the repeated quotation, 'The death of the soul'?
17. Discuss the symbolism of the broken fountain at the end of part 6.
2. How do you think Dalloway's revelation that she was in love with Sally would have been received at the time of publication?
3. Why does Woolf suggest a comparison of the relationship between Dalloway and Sally to Shakespeare's Othello and Desdemona?
4. Why does Dalloway describe her kiss with Sally as a 'religious experience'?
5. Peter has a habit of interrupting Dalloway at inappropriate times. Why do you think Woolf has written his entrances in like this?
6. What is the significance of Dalloway's green dress?
7. Why do you think Dalloway feels nun-like and virginal now she is over the age of 50?
8. Were you shocked when Woolf revealed Dalloway's age? Why? Why not?
9. Consider the symbolism of doors and windows in the novel.
10. Why do you think Dalloway married Richard, as opposed to Peter or continuing her relationship with Sally?
11. What do you consider Peter's 'moment of being' to be?
12. What is significance of the bell on page 37?
13. Discuss the significance of 'nobody yet knew he was in London, except Clarissa'.
14. It becomes apparent that Dalloway and Peter are obsessed with age. Why do you think Woolf constantly mentions age in these parts?
15. Bearing in mind Dalloway's relationship with Sally, do you find it strange that Dalloway reacts so badly to the news of a woman giving birth before she is married? Why? Why not?
16. What is significant about the repeated quotation, 'The death of the soul'?
17. Discuss the symbolism of the broken fountain at the end of part 6.
Friday 23 September 2016
Social status during the Victorian Era
The class hierarchy during the 18th century, consisted of distinct
social groupings in which progressed into the 'upper class', 'middle class',
'working class' (labourers and unskilled workers) and the 'lower class'. The
Victorian Era was primal for social reform, as people were categorised into a
class, which varied depending on the individuals wealth, power, authority and
educational background. In general, Victorian society greatly influenced every
aspect of daily life and has contributed to the modified structure that exists
today.
Upper Class
Over time, the hereditary aristocracy (highest class in societies)
developed into what we know as the 'upper class', as many of the gentleman
during this period came from backgrounds of success within commerce, industry
and professions. It was clear that the basic standard of living for people were changing as many new nobles, alongside the steady growth of the wealthy class,
started to override the number of traditional families in society.
In terms of access to education, many of the rich families were
able to afford the best tutors for their children. This had a knock on effect
on society as a whole - for the upper class, it enabled them to have a leap start
in life and a secure future, whereas for the lower class there was a high
chance of remaining uneducated for the duration of their life time.
Moreover, women in the upper class were forced into a society, in
which marriage was the 'final destination'. A women's place remained at home
and men were believed to be the 'rulers' of the family. Mannerism and common
courtesy was well respected during this era, thus women were expected to
represent their husbands with grace and avoid any scandalous activity.
Evidently, the Bronte sisters published their books under
pseudonyms, as female authors during this time were not readily
accepted - Emily's name was 'Ellis Bell'. This reflects the restrictions placed
on women during this era, where personal achievement was unnoticed.
Middle Class
The Victorian period was very prosperous for the middle class, as
people managed to have ownership on vast businesses. The Industrial Revolution
was thriving, which provided job opportunities for many people so they could a
decent income.
Notably, people in the middle class also undertook roles as
servants in the Victorian houses of the upper class and saw it as a privileged
opportunity in doing so, as there was guaranteed food and shelter. People that
gained a profession (shopkeepers, nurses etc.) used it to pass themselves as a
member of the middle class in society.
In the opening of 'Wuthering Height', we're introduced to
Heathcliff as the 'landlord', however he lacks the privilege of his last name,
Earnshaw. During this era, the surname was an identifier of class, therefore
for Heathcliff to not have one, it implies that he's been denied a place in
social class. Thus, he's not truly an Earnshaw and wouldn't gain the benefits
of the middle class land-owning name.
Lower Class
At the very bottom of society, was the 'lower class', where there
was an abundance of labourers and unskilled workers, all of whom were deprived
of education and wealth. The lower class had a non-existent status within
society, where they were quite often looked down upon by classes of a higher
degree. The most common attribute within this class, was primarily the poverty
that had carried through generations of their family history.
Many workers were vulnerable to exploitation and experienced poor
working conditions on a daily basis. Gradually, conditions became very brutal,
so much so that children as young as 7 had no choice but to work away
from home, just to provide some kind of income.
Tuesday 20 September 2016
Feminism, gender ideology and education in the Victorian era
•In
the Victorian period the status of women was not seen as important but the
ideal woman was expected to be modest, pure and refined. Lockwood :
“fascinating creature”.
•Women
had no form of equality with men and were seen as the weaker gender.
•Women
were only allowed to have sex with one man which was their husband and divorce
was never an option, whereas, men where allowed multiple
partners in their lifetime.
•Literature
was a way for women to break away from the typical standards and outlooks they
were expected to maintain. Writing allowed a lot of woman to be empowered and
strengthen there voice.
•Women
would be faced with fear and embarrassment when exploring there sexuality or
confessing there sexual desires.
•Literature
and the expression of feminism in
writing helped immensely in the movement to greater equality for women.
•In
19th
century British society was indulged in the unexplainable power and privilege
for men with woman starting to test their strengths and think about the idea of
gender equality.
•This
period saw a transition in the idea of the traditional male superiority.
•By
the end of the 19th
century women had started to gain more opportunities in certain work forces.
•Woman
were not often given the opportunity for higher education in university which
made it much more difficult to be independent and stray from societies
stereotypes and restrains.
•A
women's place was at home either cleaning, looking after her children or
cooking in the kitchen. So many women were not encouraged to aspire to further
education as it could jeopardise the future society had already planned for
them.
•At
a younger age richer families would have had their daughters home schooled
whereas some children would have gotten there education based in churches .
Part 2 Mrs Dalloway
1. What is significant about Septimus' name?
2. How does Woolf portray patriotism?
3. Look at how Woolf continues to use bird/glove imagery. Is it the same or different from before? Why/why not?
4. What are the attitudes towards mental health at the time of writing? What evidence does the reader have of this is the novel?
5. What ideas are linked to a wedding ring?
6. Look at Woolf's use of flags. What is she suggesting by this?
7. What are the connotations of the colour white? Discuss the way Woolf uses this in her novel?
8. Discuss the quotation: "Dropping down dead".
9. Contextually, how has the rise of Science impacted what Woolf has written?
10. Why does Woolf make references to Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'?
2. How does Woolf portray patriotism?
3. Look at how Woolf continues to use bird/glove imagery. Is it the same or different from before? Why/why not?
4. What are the attitudes towards mental health at the time of writing? What evidence does the reader have of this is the novel?
5. What ideas are linked to a wedding ring?
6. Look at Woolf's use of flags. What is she suggesting by this?
7. What are the connotations of the colour white? Discuss the way Woolf uses this in her novel?
8. Discuss the quotation: "Dropping down dead".
9. Contextually, how has the rise of Science impacted what Woolf has written?
10. Why does Woolf make references to Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'?
Part 1 Mrs Dalloway
- How old is Clarissa?
- What does Richard do?
- How is London presented?
- Post or pre-war? Why? How do you know this?
- Clarissa’s past & present is intermingled.
- Evelyn?
- Peter?
- Death?
- Bird imagery?
- Clarissa’s identity – Mrs Richard Dalloway.
- Glove makers, and the symbolism of gloves in literature?
- Patriotism.
- Stream of consciousness.
- 3rd person narrative.
- Subjective or objective? Why? How do you know this?
Context of Virginia Woolf
Novelist,
critic, and essayist.
Born
January 25, 1882, to Leslie Stephen, a literary
critic, and Julia Duckworth Stephen.
Upper-middle-class,
socially active, literary family in Victorian London.
Three
full
siblings, two half-brothers, and two half-sisters.
Educated
at
home
and a voracious reader of the books in her father’s
extensive library.
Woolf’s
mother
died in 1895. Two years
later, her half-sister, Stella, the caregiver in the
Stephen family, died.
Woolf
experienced
her first bout of mental illness after
her mother’s death, and she suffered from mania and severe depression for the
rest of her life.
Patriarchal and repressive Victorian society
did not encourage women to attend universities or to participate in
intellectual debate.
However,
Woolf
began publishing her first essays and reviews after 1904, the year her father died,
and
she and her siblings moved to the Bloomsbury area of London.
Young
students
and artists, drawn to the vitality and intellectual curiosity of the Stephen
clan, congregated on Thursday evenings to share their views about the world.
The
Bloomsbury
group, as Woolf and her friends came to be called, disregarded the constricting
taboos of the Victorian era, and such topics as religion, sex, and art fuelled
the
talk at their weekly meetings.
They
even
discussed homosexuality, a subject that shocked many of the group’s
contemporaries.
For
Woolf,
the group served as the undergraduate (university) education
that society had denied her.
Woolf’s
first
novel, was published in 1915, three years after her marriage to Leonard Woolf,
a member of the Bloomsbury group.
Their
partnership
furthered the group’s intellectual ideals due to the fact that Leonard,
Woolf founded Hogarth Press, which published Sigmund Freud, Katherine Mansfield, T. S.
Eliot, and other notable authors.
Virginia
determinedly
pursued her own writing as well by keeping a diary of the
next few years. She also wrote several
novels, a collection of short stories, and numerous essays.
She
struggled,
as she wrote, to both deal with her bouts of bipolarity
and to find her true voice as a writer.
Before
World
War I, Woolf viewed the realistic Victorian novel,
with its neat and linear plots, as an inadequate form of expression. Her
opinion intensified after the war, and in the 1920s she began searching for the
form that would reflect the violent contrasts and disjointed impressions of the
world around her.
In
Mrs Dalloway
(published
in
1925),
Woolf
discovered a new literary form capable of expressing the new realities of post-war
England.
The
novel
depicts the subjective
experiences and memories of its central characters over a single day in
post–World War I London.
Divided
into
parts, rather than chapters, the novel's structure highlights the finely
interwoven texture of the characters' thoughts.
Critics
tend
to agree that Woolf found her writer’s voice with this novel.
This
book,
which focuses on commonplace tasks, such as shopping, throwing a party, and
eating dinner, showed that no act was too small or too ordinary for a writer’s
attention.
Ultimately,
Mrs. Dalloway
transformed the novel as an art form.
Woolf
develops the book’s protagonist, Clarissa Dalloway, and myriad other characters
by chronicling their interior thoughts with little pause or explanation, a
style referred to as stream of consciousness.
Several
central
characters and more than one hundred minor characters appear in the text, and
their thoughts spin out like spider webs.
Sometimes
the
threads of thought cross—and people succeed in communicating.
More
often,
however, the threads do not cross, leaving the characters isolated and alone.
Woolf
believed
that behind the “cotton wool” of life, a pattern exists.
Characters
in Mrs Dalloway
occasionally
perceive life’s pattern through a sudden shock, or what Woolf called a “moment
of being.”
Suddenly
the
cotton wool parts, and a person sees reality, and his or her place in it,
clearly.
“In
the vast catastrophe of the European war,” wrote Woolf, “our emotions had to be
broken up for us, and put at an angle from us, before we could allow ourselves
to feel them in poetry or fiction.” These words appear in her essay collection,
The Common Reader,
which was published just one month before Mrs Dalloway.
Her
novel
attempts to uncover fragmented emotions, such as desperation or love, in order
to find, through “moments of being,” a way to endure.
While
writing Mrs. Dalloway,
Woolf reread the Greek classics along with two new modernist writers, Marcel Proust and
James Joyce.
Woolf
shared
these writers' interest in time and psychology, and she incorporated these
issues into her novel.
She
wanted
to show characters in instability, rather
than static, characters who think and experience emotions as they
move through space, who react to their surroundings in ways that mirrored
actual human experience.
Rapid
political
and social change marked the period between the two world wars: the British Empire,
for which so many people had sacrificed their lives to protect and preserve,
was in decline. Countries like India were beginning to question Britain’s
colonial rule. At home, the Labour Party, with its plans for economic reform,
was beginning to challenge the Conservative Party, with its emphasis on
imperial business interests. Women, who had flooded the workforce to replace
the men who had gone to war, were demanding equal rights. Men, who had seen
unspeakable atrocities in the first modern war, were questioning the usefulness
of class-based sociopolitical
institutions.
Woolf
lent her support to the feminist movement in
her nonfiction book A Room of One’s Own (1929),
as well as in numerous essays, and she was briefly involved in the women’s suffrage movement.
Although
Mrs Dalloway portrays
the shifting political atmosphere through the characters Peter Walsh, Richard
Dalloway, and Hugh Whitbread, it focuses more deeply on the charged social mood
through the characters Septimus
Warren Smith and Clarissa Dalloway.
Woolf
delves into the consciousness of Clarissa, a woman who exists largely in the
domestic sphere, to ensure that readers take her character seriously, rather
than simply dismissing her as a vain and uneducated upper-class wife.
In
spite of her heroic and imperfect effort in life, Clarissa, like every human
being and even the old social order itself, must face death.
Woolf’s
struggles with mental illness gave her an opportunity to witness first-hand
how
insensitive medical professionals could be, and she critiques their
tactlessness in Mrs Dalloway.
One
of
Woolf’s doctors suggested that plenty of rest and rich food would lead to a
full recovery, a cure prescribed in the novel, and another removed several of
her teeth.
In
the
early twentieth century, mental health problems were too often considered
imaginary, an embarrassment, or the product of moral weakness.
During
one
bout of illness, Woolf heard birds sing like Greek choruses and King Edward use
foul language among some azaleas.
In
1941, as England entered a second world war, and at the onset of another
breakdown she feared would be permanent, Woolf placed a large stone in her
pocket to weigh herself down and drowned herself in the River Ouse.
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