Septimus and Clarissa on Death

“Fear no more the heat o’ the sun / Nor the furious winter’s rages.”     

- William Shakespeare

Cymbeline Act 4, Scene 2

    In Virginia Woolf's, Mrs. Dalloway, Septimus Smith and Clarissa Dalloway seem to be entirely different on the surface. Their characters are first merged by their enjoyment of this quote from Cymbeline. The "sun" is meant to represent death, and, throughout the course of the book, both characters spend an extensive amount of time thinking about their existence. Our first impression of Clarissa's thoughts about death is her anxiety surrounding aging and time. Having endured the deaths of her parents and sister, she seems to be extremely aware of the dangers of life and inevitability of death. However, Clarissa also appreciates the beauty of the world, as seen by her pleasant walk to buy flowers. The line from Shakespeare helps her to accept mortality as a comfort instead of something to be feared.

    Septimus, similarly, is portrayed as appreciating the simple beauty of the world while also holding strong feelings towards the corrupt nature of human society, which is a factor in his suicidal ideation. In one scene, he is walking in the park when he notices the breath-like movement of the trees, only to be sent into a spiral by the noisy sounds of human life around him. In the last moments before his suicide, Septimus expresses that he does not want to die. Instead he feels as though death is the only escape from Holmes, who he sees as the epitome of human evil. Just before he jumps, Septimus thinks to himself, "life was good...the sun hot"(Woolf 146). This appears to reinforce his desire to live, which makes his suicide additionally meaningful. His decision is not an act of cowardice, as Holmes suggests, but a final act of defiance against oppression. 

    These storylines meet once again when Clarissa learns of Septimus's death. Initially, she is offended that the mention of death is brought into her party, which is an important event for her. But, as time progresses, she experiences an eerie connection to Septimus in his final minutes. Clarissa recognizes his decision just as Septimus had--an act of defiance. She is able to sympathize with his struggles, his hatred of Sir William, and his criticism of society. The news of Septimus's suicide prompts Clarissa to remember the line from Cymbeline, and she seems to further embrace the beauty of death. Thus, these two characters are able to find some semblance of peace, in life and in death. 

    

    

A Guy Riding the Escalator + the Meaning of Life?

    What makes a book a book? When one thinks of average literature, the theme is a key element that comes to mind. A main theme in The Mezzanine, by Nicholson Baker, is difficult to discern if there is any at all. In 5th period we discussed what Baker might be trying to convey with this novel. Some ideas we brainstormed were the appreciation of trivial things, nostalgia, and being comfortable alone. Many of us seemed to have come to the conclusion of a positive message.

    Our class's most recent discussion was centered around the relation of Aurelius's statements and the book. Aurelius, according to Howie, possesses "unrelenting and morbid self-denial" (Baker 124). The placement of the excerpts from Aurelius's book is particularly jarring. Throughout the book, the reader gets hints of Howie feeling trapped in his cycle of corporate work and everyday life. However, he glosses over these thoughts very quickly and it is easily forgotten. So, when Howie got upset by the excerpt, I was prompted to think about him as an actual person in the world--an average, forgettable corporate worker. Is Baker using Howie as an example of a meaningful life? Or the opposite? 

    To be honest, thinking about these questions hurts my brain. I have decided that my interpretation of the theme is evoking thought. As Mr. Mitchell mentioned many times, this book can effect your perspective on life. Even if I choose to quickly move on from the contents of The Mezzanine, the narrator's ability to notice 135 pages of details and memories from his journey up an escalator, certainly made a lasting impression on me. Not only is Howie incredibly absorbed in the present, he is hyper-aware of how his past has affected the person he is.