14 May 2015 marked the anniversary of the 1925 publication of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway. The stream-of-consciousness novel has long been considered a modernist classic. Mrs Dalloway, Woolf’s fourth novel, is one of her greatest achievements.
First read the assignment. Next watch the video. Take notes to help you do the assignment.
Answer the questions either in writing or in a group discussion.
- How does Lesley explain the “certain love-hate type thing” many readers have with Mrs Dalloway?
- What is the main story line of Mrs Dalloway?
- How does Lesley describe Clarissa Dalloway’s character? Note the many adjectives she uses. Look up the ones you don’t know.
- What do you learn about the most interesting character in the book for Lesley?
- How did the book live up to Lesley’s expectations?
Extra background/reading assignments
- Find out more about stream-of-consciousness: what it means; when the term was coined; major works in which it is used; any other interesting aspects.
- Mrs Dalloway continues to inspire new generations of writers and readers. Woolf's working title for the book was The Hours. A present-day American novelist has written a modern adaptation of Mrs Dalloway which was published under that working title. His novel was also turned into a movie. Find out:
a) who wrote the The Hours and
b) who starred as Virginia Woolf in the film adaptation of The Hours. - Still more time left? Read Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf; read the novel The Hours; check out the movie The Hours.
Extra speaking assignment
- Watch the video once more.
- Take note of the way Lesley sets up her filmed report.
- Pick a book you know well.
- Write out the main points for your spoken report. Organize them for a coherent report. Use Lesley’s video as an example.
- Film your own book report. (4 minutes max)
