Explain the following passages with reference to the context.
“For, now that it was all over, truce signed, and the dead buried, he had, especially in the evening, these sudden thunder-claps of fear. He could not feel. As he opened the door of the room where the Italian girls sat making hats, he could see them; could hear them; they were rubbing wires among coloured beads in saucers; they were turning buckram shapes this way and that; the table was all strewn with feathers, spangles, silks, ribbons; scissors were rapping on the table; but something failed him; he could not feel. Still, scissors rapping, girls laughing, hats being made protected him; he was assured of safety; he had a refuge.”
Solution
This passage is taken from Virginia Woolf’s novel “Mrs. Dalloway”. The scene takes place after World War I in London, where the protagonist, Clarissa Dalloway, is preparing for a party. The passage describes the thoughts and feelings of Septimus Warren Smith, a shell-shocked veteran of World War I, who is sitting in a park with his wife, Lucrezia, and is suffering from the after-effects of the war.
The opening line, “For, now that it was all over, truce signed, and the dead buried, he had, especially in the evening, these sudden thunder-claps of fear,” refers to the end of the war, which had brought an end to the fighting, but not to the psychological trauma that many soldiers had experienced. Septimus is plagued by fear, which comes on suddenly and without warning, and which he cannot control.
As Septimus enters the room where the Italian girls are making hats, he can see and hear everything that is going on, but he cannot feel anything. The girls are going about their work, making hats with beads, feathers, and ribbons, and the room is filled with the sound of scissors and laughter. Despite this activity around him, Septimus feels disconnected from the world and unable to feel any emotions.
The description of the hats being made serves as a metaphor for the act of creation, which is an important theme in the novel. The girls are taking raw materials and turning them into something beautiful and useful. Septimus, on the other hand, feels disconnected from this process of creation, and is unable to feel any sense of purpose or meaning in his life.
The passage ends with the statement that “something failed him; he could not feel,” which emphasizes the depth of Septimus’s psychological trauma. Despite the fact that he is surrounded by people and activity, he feels utterly alone and disconnected from the world. The hats being made by the Italian girls serve as a temporary refuge for him, but they cannot provide a lasting sense of meaning or purpose. The passage thus highlights the psychological toll that war can take on individuals, and the difficulties that they face in trying to readjust to civilian life after experiencing the horrors of combat.
Explain the following passages with reference to the context.
“But no, he would not give in. Turning sharply, he walked towards the city’s gold phosphorescence. His fists were shut, his mouth set fast. He would not take that direction, to the darkness, to follow her. He walked towards the faintly humming, glowing town, quickly.”
Solution
This passage is from the short story “The Horse Dealer’s Daughter” by D.H. Lawrence. The protagonist, Jack, has just had an encounter with the horse dealer’s daughter, Mabel, and is now conflicted about his feelings towards her. The passage describes his internal struggle as he debates whether to follow her into the darkness or walk towards the town.
At first, Jack is tempted to give in and follow Mabel into the darkness. He feels a strong attraction to her, and the idea of following her into the unknown seems exciting and tempting. However, he quickly realizes that this would be a mistake. He is determined not to let his feelings get the best of him, and he refuses to be led blindly into the darkness.
Instead, Jack turns sharply and walks towards the town. His fists are clenched and his mouth is set in a determined line, indicating that he is resolute in his decision. He knows that this is the safer choice, the more logical choice, and the one that will protect him from any potential harm.
As Jack walks towards the town, he hears a faint humming sound and sees a glowing light in the distance. This represents a sense of safety and security for him, a comforting presence that helps to calm his fears and doubts. He walks quickly, indicating that he is eager to reach this safe haven and put the encounter with Mabel behind him.
Overall, this passage reflects Jack’s inner turmoil and the conflicting emotions he feels towards Mabel. It also highlights his determination and self-control as he resists the temptation to follow her into the darkness and instead chooses the safer path towards the glowing town.