Avery AP Lit

In this section of the novel, we encounter a great sense of evil. A type of evil that almost seems uncontrollable at this point. From Guitar’s Seven Days organization to the recount of Pilate and Macon Jr.’s incident in the cave. However, the symbol of the white peacock caught my attention the most. Throughout the novel thus far white creatures have represented harm or extreme mischief. For example, the white bull that caused the labor and death of Freddie’s mother. There is an association between their pursuit of the peacock and Macon Jr.’s sense of greed and yearning for wealth. In addition, one can make the connection that color of “white” let alone the peacock symbolizes evil for Freddie because it caused him to grow up without a mother and ultimately having a poor upbringing considering there were no orphans for black people. For Guitar it symbolizes the oppression of black people by white people.

1. What does Septimus’ death symbolize for Clarissa? 2. What exactly did Clarissa sacrifice when she married Richard and does she regret it? 3. Why did Woolf choose to end the novel in the perspective of Peter?

Aside from the perspective/narration of Peter Walsh, we had the opportunity to read about Clarissa Dalloway from the perspective of Lady Burton following her lunch with Hugh and Richard. Thus far, I believe Lady Burton’s point of view has been the most complex because of how well written it was aside from Clarissa Dalloway’s narrations. However, the complex point of view did not compromise the ability to visualize what was going on in the reading. As a reader, you were able to analyze Clarissa Dalloway in a sense that was quite different from the bias of Peter. A failed romance was not used to develop the characterization of Clarissa Dalloway’s coldness. The first image from this novel that lingered in mind was the scene that consisted of Hugh and Richard walking down the street and Lady Burton was falling asleep. Woolf used the image of a string linking them all together.

1. Why does Woolf continue to highlight Peter's self-pity at the rejection of love he faces considering the fact that The Smiths are now in the picture who in my opinion have to endure more misfortunes than himself? 2. What is the significance of the old woman singing the ancient song? 3. What message is Woolf trying to convey through the actions of Peter, Hugh, and Mr. Brewer as members of the upper class?