“Life is short, nature is hostile, and man is ridiculous; but oddly enough most misfortunes have their compensations, and with a certain humour and a good deal of horse-sense one can make a fairly good job of what is after all a matter of very small consequence.”
―from THE NARROW CORNER by W. Somerset Maugham
Filled with adventure, passion, and intrigue, THE NARROW CORNER is a classic tale of the sea by one of the twentieth-century’s finest writers. Island hoping across the South Pacific, the esteemed Dr. Saunders is offered passage by Captain Nichols and his companion Fred Blake, two men who appear unsavory, yet any means of transportation is hard to resist. The trip turns turbulent, however, when a vicious storm forces them to seek shelter on the remote island of Kanda. There these three men fall under the spell of the sultry and stunningly beautiful Louise, and their story spirals into a wicked tale of love, murder, jealousy, and suicide.
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此書中文本多種。
"Rigid, the skeleton of habit alone upholds the human frame."
―from MRS. DALLOWAY (1925)
MRS. DALLOWAY chronicles a June day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway–a day that is taken up with running minor errands in preparation for a party and that is punctuated, toward the end, by the suicide of a young man she has never met. In giving an apparently ordinary day such immense resonance and significance–infusing it with the elemental conflict between death and life–Virginia Woolf triumphantly discovers her distinctive style as a novelist. Originally published in 1925, MRS. DALLOWAY is Woolf’s first complete rendering of what she described as the “luminous envelope” of consciousness: a dazzling display of the mind’s inside as it plays over the brilliant surface and darker depths of reality. This edition uses the text of the original British publication of MRS. DALLOWAY, which includes changes Woolf made that never appeared in the first or subsequent American editions. READ an excerpt here:http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/…/mrs-dalloway-by-virgin…/
Virginia Woolf
In Mrs Dalloway, Woolf writes a novel in which the upper-middle class 'is living on borrowed time. Its values … are under attack … the empire was crumbling fast’. The British Library
Exploring consciousness and the modern: an introduction to Mrs Dalloway
Topic:-
"Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf.
1) Introduction:-
"Mrs. Dalloway" is a novel written by Virginia Woolf, first published in 1925. Set in post-World War I London, the story unfolds over a single day as Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class woman, prepares for a party she will host in the evening. The novel explores themes of time, memory, societal expectations, and the inner lives of its characters through a stream-of-consciousness narrative style. Woolf's innovative approach to storytelling and her insightful exploration of the human psyche make "Mrs. Dalloway" a significant work in modernist literature.
2) Summary:-
"Mrs. Dalloway" takes place in London during a single day in June 1923. The central character, Clarissa Dalloway, is a high-society woman who is preparing for a party she will host in the evening. The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of various characters, employing a stream-of-consciousness style that delves into their inner thoughts and memories.
As Clarissa goes about her day, we learn about her past, including a significant love affair with Peter Walsh. Meanwhile, Septimus Warren Smith, a shell-shocked veteran of World War I, grapples with mental health issues and becomes a parallel character to Clarissa. The novel weaves through different characters and their connections, revealing the complexities of their lives and relationships.
Woolf's narrative technique allows readers to explore the characters' internal monologues, emphasizing the passage of time and the interconnectedness of lives. The novel captures the social and cultural atmosphere of post-war London while offering profound insights into the characters' emotions and struggles. "Mrs. Dalloway" is a masterful exploration of human consciousness and the impact of societal norms on individual lives.
3) Critical analysis :-
"Mrs. Dalloway" is celebrated for its innovative narrative techniques and profound exploration of the human psyche. Virginia Woolf employs a stream-of-consciousness style, allowing readers access to the inner thoughts and perceptions of her characters. This technique not only captures the immediacy of experience but also blurs the boundaries between past and present, highlighting the fluidity of human consciousness.
One notable aspect is Woolf's depiction of time. The novel unfolds in a single day, yet time is treated as a subjective and malleable element. The characters' memories and reflections shape their present experiences, illustrating the interconnectedness of past and present. This temporal fluidity is a hallmark of modernist literature and mirrors the characters' attempts to reconcile their pasts with their current realities.
Woolf also explores the societal expectations imposed on individuals, particularly women in post-World War I England. Clarissa Dalloway, as a representative of the upper class, grapples with the constraints of social norms and the expectations placed upon her. The novel subtly critiques the rigid gender roles of the time and examines the impact of societal expectations on personal identity.
Septimus Warren Smith's character adds another layer to the novel's critique. As a war veteran suffering from mental trauma, Septimus serves as a symbol of the psychological toll of war. His story intertwines with Clarissa's, offering a contrasting perspective on societal expectations and mental health. Woolf skillfully addresses the consequences of a society that enforces conformity and the toll it takes on individuals who deviate from the norm.
"Mrs. Dalloway" stands as a quintessential work of modernist literature, challenging conventional narrative structures and offering a nuanced exploration of the human experience. Woolf's profound insights into consciousness, time, and societal constraints contribute to the novel's enduring significance in the literary canon.
Virginia Woolf's iconic novel, Mrs. Dalloway, is a masterful exploration of the human experience, delving into the intricacies of time, identity, and the complexities of the human psyche. Published in 1925, this modernist masterpiece continues to captivate readers with its lyrical prose, nuanced characterization, and profound insights into the human condition.
The novel follows Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares to host a party in the evening, while Septimus Warren Smith, a shell-shocked veteran of World War I, grapples with the traumas of his past. Through these two characters, Woolf skillfully weaves together themes of identity, morality, and the search for meaning in a post-war world.
One of the novel's most striking features is its innovative narrative structure. Woolf employs a fluid, stream-of-consciousness style, seamlessly shifting between the inner lives of her characters. This technique creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, drawing the reader into the innermost thoughts and feelings of the characters.
Through Clarissa and Septimus, Woolf poses profound questions about the nature of identity, the impact of societal expectations, and the fragility of human life. Clarissa's preparations for her party serve as a metaphor for the construction of identity, while Septimus's struggles with shell shock illuminate the devastating consequences of trauma.
Mrs. Dalloway is a masterpiece of modernist literature, offering a profound and deeply moving exploration of the human experience. Woolf's innovative narrative structure, lyrical prose, and nuanced characterization have created a work of enduring beauty and significance. This novel is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of the human condition.
Mrs. Dalloway is a novel that rewards close reading and reflection. It is best suited for readers who appreciate literary fiction, modernist experimentation, and philosophical introspection.
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