Mrs. Dalloway (up to 136)

(1) How does everyone’s perception of Septimus’s illness affect his treatment?

            Septimus (Self perception): “why could he see through bodies, see into the future, when dogs will become men?” (66)  OR “he could not feel” (85)

            Rezia: “One cannot bring children into a world life this. One cannot perpetuate suffering, or increase the breed of these lustful animals, who have no lasting emotions, but only whims and vanities, eddying them now this way, now that” (87)---Rezia’s world view influenced by her experience with her husband...how does this reflect her perception of her husband or their relationship?

            Dr. Holmes: “Dr. Holmes examined him. There was nothing whatever the matter said Dr. Holmes. Oh, what a relief! What a kind man, what a good man! Thought Rezia” (88)

World War I had a huge impression on the community in Mrs. Dalloway, are there other characters or aspects of the community affected by the war besides Septimus?

(2) How does Carissa explain her love for parties? What does this say about her character? Do we get a unique perspective into this character by her description of her love for parties? How do other characters perceptions vary?

            “It was a very odd thing how much Clarissa minded about her parties” (116)

            “what she liked was simply life” (118)

“This thing she called life? Oh it was very queer. Here was So-and-so in South Kensington; some one up in Bayswater; and somebody else, say, in Mayfair. And she felt quite continuously a sense of their existence; and she felt what a waste; and she felt what a pity; and she felt if only they could be brought together; so she did it. And it was an offering; to combine, to create; but to whom? An offering for the sake of offering, perhaps” (119)