An illustration for Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice.
Assume for the moment that in some respects Mrs. Dalloway is a comedy. Where's the humor?
23 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Mrs. Dalloway doesn't exactly seem like a comedy at first glance, so it's interesting to think of where the humor could be. However, if you look closer, there is actually some humor. The mere fact that Clarissa and Peter's entire relationship snowballed downward simply because of Clarissa getting upset over an unmarried woman being pregnant. Also, referring to Richard Dalloway as "My name is Dalloway!". What's ironic is that that also resulted in a serious situation, when Clarissa protested that "We've had enough of that feeble joke". The thing is, although these are both rather serious situations, there is humor if one looks for it.
Julie is absolutely right that Mrs. Dalloway is in no way a comedy before analyzation of it. Humor is not necessarily jokes at all. The very definition of humor is irony. Sometimes unfortunate, sometims not. A good example of irony being as comedy in this reading would be that when he brings her to the fountain in Bourton. He brings her to this fountain which is stereotypically usually seen as a symbol for love confession that is precisely what he is acting upon. He brings her to the fountain and has been seriously chipped and is old, is't even working properly, spouting water. It's ironic in the comedic sense because whenever a man usually brings their lover to a fountain, it symbolizes glory and happiness and it probably depressing by a stretch. It's not in good condition and is of course not setting up a romantic atmosphere for this discussion of their love for one another. It's very ironic, thus somewhat comical.
The humor is in how emotional Peter Walsh, Clarrissa, and Sally are when Peter is reminiscing about the past. Everyone's emotional cycles are going up and down up and down like a rollercoaster. While Peter Walsh is bawling his eyes out Clarrisa is the one being strong and not shedding a single tear. "It seemed, with the tears running down his cheeks-it was as if she had hit him in the face. She turned, she left him, went away." Although this passage reads sad it is actually quite humorous in terms of the traditional male and female roles. Traditionally or in the 18th or 19 centuries women were the ones who were described as emotional, as somewhat the weaker sex, and sympathetic, while men were described as unsympathetic and strong. But in the passage it describes Clarrissa being the stronger sex, having control of her emotions, collected, and unsympathetic. Peter Walsh is depicted as extremely emotional letting his emotions guide his actions and having no control over his emotions whatsoever. What makes the whole thing humorous is imagining Peter Walsh crying, begging, and flopping all over the place like a child trying to get Clarrisa to stay. Another event that was humorous in the pages 57-63 was Peter's description of the dinner. One could just imagine all the things that were happening at that dinner. Clarrisa and Mr. Dalloway laughing loudly while Peter sits grumpily at the other side of the table pushing his food around his plate.
I agree with what has been said about "Mrs. Dalloway" (this blog doesn't allow underlines) obviously not being a comedy upon first glance. I think that an instance of humor in this passage was when Peter was thinking of the dinner when Clarissa reacted to the story of the unmarried girl who had a child. The humor I found is when she then runs to the door and threw herself on top of the big sheep dog. I imagine that this would be a humorous scene to witness because a woman from that time era would not usually stand up from the dinner table and begin to play with the dog. I also find it funny that Peter takes this as a signal to him that she didn’t really mean to react in the manner that she did. Peter was looking for a connection between him and Clarissa after seeing her act like someone that disgusted him so much and he found it when she threw herself down on to a dog.
Julie said it all - calling Mr. Dalloway "My name is Dalloway" is rather funny in itself really because they were calling him the wrong name all along before that point. Also what contributes to the humour is the fact that the joke of referring to Mr. Dalloway as "My name is Dalloway" backfired on Clarissa, as sort of a punishment?
checking in and I agree with Catherine about how it is funny how Clarrisa got up from the table and flung herself on the big sheep dog. She must have gotten fur all over her dress!!!
I agree with almost everyone at the circumstances that bring humor (the dog, etc) but I also think in a way the society Clarissa Dalloway circulates in is being poked fun at - or at least scrutinized - that it frivilously humorous.
What I mean by 'frivilously humorous' is that Clarissa's chores, or what she has done throughout her day, seems almost unnecassary - cocktail parties? Shopping for flowers? From what we've discussed about Virginia Woolf from class is that she rebelled against this society (the shopping, the hierarchy, the wealth and the 'responsbility' or lack of that comes with it). The fact that she's basing "Mrs. Dalloway" within the mind of Clarissa Dalloway, we seem more complexly into herself, but also see the outside of herself: what she does, what she sees, who she interacts with.
What I found particuarily 'humorous', in a childish way, was when Peter was sobbing, and Clarissa walked away. Before it seemed that Clarissa was pulled to Peter (the kiss, obviously) but now she seems distanced from him somewhat, and this quick change of heart seems almost 'silly' to me, but of course, complex. The sheer summary of the events seem funny within itself - Peter and Clarissa's reunion - and also this society that they live in and circulate in.
While I don't find everything humorous, I do think Woolf is poking fun at the men, women, and 'events' of upper-crust society, and the frivilous duties and obligations that go along with it.
I think catherine said it very well that it is quite humorous that Clarissa dashes out of the room and flings herself on a sheep dog after hearing about her bestfriend becoming pregnant before she was married. Also the fact that she would not speak to her could be comical. When Peter see Dalloway he knows Clarissa will marry him, this could be made comical also because no one can really know that two people will be married someday yet he was correct!
I think it's great what Catherine brought up about a woman from that time period (1923...?) getting up from a table and playing with the dog. Very improper of her, thus funny. Thank Catherine. Fantastic Point out!
I think there are comedic elements to "Mrs. Dalloway," even at first glance. The incident with the sheep-dog -- whereupon she throws herself upon it after making a fool of herself in front of Peter. The scene itself -- this exaggerated action -- is humorous. Another funny moment is when Clarissa cannot remember Richard Dalloway's name. She keeps calling him "Wickham," until he awkwardly calls out: "My name is Dalloway!" From this point on, Sally Seton addresses him as such. This is relatively blatant humor. However, even these outrageous moments are ambiguous. They are tinged with tension or sadness. For example, Clarissa throws herself on the sheep-dog because she has just made a fool of herself in front of Peter -- acting prudish and snobby. By showing abandoned affection for the dog, she is trying to tell him "how extraordinarily sympathetic" she is, and how spontaneous she can be. This is a desperate act, one that Peter sees through. Thus, what is initially humorous is actually tinged with the deep sadness that Peter and Clarissa will never have a relationship free of judgements and competition. Another humorous aspect of the book is Peter's fickleness during his walk in London after visiting Clarissa. He describes himself as "utterly free," with an "un-ending future." He feels very young and happy to be in love. He follows the group of young military men, keeping in step with them for a minute, which is funny in itself. Once he can no longer follow them, he follows a young girl whom he finds attractive, making up all sorts of stories about her. This is humorous in an ironic way, (Cooper mentioned irony earlier) because he has just proclaimed his undying love for the woman who's divorce he is organizing, but then he does not hesitate to follow a stranger around London on a whim. He alternates between euphoria -- feeling powerful and ageless -- and grief. At one point, he even falls asleep on the park bench. He bemoans Clarissa's faults and limitations, and a moment later feels great love for her. He is clearly muddled in the head (not constituting insanity, but merely frustration.) It is funny to watch him go through these emotional shifts, especially when they manifest physically -- as in the case of his marching along with the military, following the pretty girl to her house, and ultimately falling asleep on the park bench. Peter clearly has some issues he needs to work out -- both with Clarissa and with his past in general. Unlike Septimus, he explores these issues in a fairly jovial manner, making it fun for the reader to be along for the ride.
Although there are some pretty heavy phrases in this book, there is definitely some lightness to it. One thing I found, like Cooper, to be a tad humorous, was the fountain dribbling water. It's supposed to be a very emotional and intense discussion, yet in the background there is a dribbling fountain, obviously distracting if stated (this book follows all thoughts) and then Peter ends up bawling (like said before, this is ironic because we think men are supposed to be the stronger ones).
I think the subtle humor that pops up from time to time, like all of the exaggerations, the dog, the fountain, Peter snoring in public, give us more of an understanding of Clarissa and Peter's relationship. I feel as if what happened was kind of the way life goes, loving someone to death but ending up marrying someone else. It's depressing, but then really you can't take life seriously all the time. All the problems that happen are kind of funny. You just have to laugh. It's kind of like Peter is laughing at how utterly in love he was with Clarissa, but then there's also the deepness and complexity underneath it, and that's when the deepness of the book comes in. It's just life!
There are some small, yet present elements of comedy in this book. The fact that Clarissa acts so improper with the dog, yet freaks out when something improper is being discussed (the lady getting pregnant before she was married) is ironic, and somewhat entertaining. I also think that Peter and Clarissa's relationship is humorous. If you think about it, they act like children towards each other, and it's almost cute and funny to read. Not referring to Richard by his name is funny too, becausd a lot of people do that when they're jealous. I think that though there are some serious issues and components of this book, if one looks hard enough, there is some definite humor or sarcasm (or irony!) to be found.
In other words, I really thought Kim brought up some interesting points; I definitely see where she is coming from.
(At times) Virginia Woolf pokes fun at the society that both she and Clarissa Dalloway are a part of. Being in her forties when she wrote "Mrs. Dalloway" she is only a little younger than Clarissa herself.
I think that maybe Woolf finds a little bit of herself in Clarissa's character. Not only is she a wealthy, middle aged, and upperclass woman, she is both content with her place in society yet she is also very unhappy.
One major example of her discontent stem from her rebelious nature to be free and open with herself. While, on monetary values, Clarissa would probably prefer to be the 'prince' than the 'pauper' there is also much freedom in being a pauper that she yearns to have (again, such as when she was in school, and good friends with Sally Seton).
It is very clear that Woolf herself was rebellious against the restrictions of her class a young woman, one example is the Dreadnought Hoax. Woolf thought that the priviledges of her class could allow such actions while at the other time, it seems like a cry for help, asking someone to set her free.
Many times this is case with adolescents; after a certain point, their cry for help comes in the form of some outrageous deed (such as the Dreadnought Hoax).
As Kim said, she pokes fun at the requirements and lifestyles of upper-class society after WWI. Not only are we discussing the tedious chores that Clarissa does in preparation for her party; the poking goes mainly to the simplicity of the upper-class life style.
First, and probably most important, the story is happening somewhat recently after the armistice of WWI. So, while hundreds and thousands of European familys are devastated by the loss of loved ones, economic troubles, and other unfortunate circumstances that follow any major (world) war, Clarissa Dalloway is worrying about what type of flowers to buy, sewing up her dress, and the success of her party that evening.
Also, she is concerned about her love life and living in memories of the past. She is distraught by the fact that her husband was invited to a luncheon that she was not.
Although I am VASTLY EXAGGERATING to prove a point, it is still true that upper class life is much cushier than the other classes below it.
Checking in…I really like what some people have said about the things that Clarissa does socially. Not that these things are necessarily humorous themselves but they are in a way being made fun of by Woolf or at least brought up in a more bright, humorous kind of context.
I think everybody's done a thorough analysis of the humor evident in "Mrs. Dalloway," keeping in mind that it is human nature to find the humor in any situation to make it bearable. In some ways, Peter's situation with Clarissa is truly painful and horrible, but to keep it interesting and tolerable for the reader and for him, both Woolf, and Woolf through Peter's thoughts, provide the reader with humor (like the examples previously stated by everybody), to keep things balanced and realistic. As Christine said, humor is part of life, both the good aspects of life and the bad, and it is evident in "Mrs. Dalloway."
Also: I find it highly interesting, in this section, to get to read descriptions of Clarissa from a main character other than herself. So far we've only heard about her from her own perspective, or briefly from minor characters like the flower-seller. Now, though, we get to gain Peter's views on our protagonist, and I find them intriguing. For example when he says "Clarissa did frighten people." Just having read from Clarissa's point of view, I would not necessarily imagined her as a person particularly capable of instilling fear within others. Also, hearing about her (from Peter) startling a hen, singing, and laughing on their moonlit boat ride, is elucidating as to other aspects of Clarissa's character and behavior that she would not choose to address in her own mind.
i actually have thought from the beginning that Clarissa was something of a humurous character. Her mannerisms specifically but also just hsoe of that time period have always seemed sort of silly to me. As Kim said, even her daily routine is strangely funny. peter remarks on it in some respects in his view of the "Dalloway way" and how they all judge him.
Laurel, interesting point about the descriptions of Clarissa from other characters than herself. To really learn about a person, one must hear all different perspectives and points of view.
Also, although my previous blog focussed more on the entirety of the work rather than specific incidents, as everyone said there are (especially in this reading) tangible examples of humor.
Finally (I'm almost done) I forgot to mention earlier, Cooper I thought your take on humor was very interesting.
"Humor is not necessarily jokes at all. The very definition of humor is irony"
I think this rings very true to Mrs. Dalloway because while there are not many knee-slappers or laugh out loud moments in the story, there is much irony in the text.
23 comments:
Mrs. Dalloway doesn't exactly seem like a comedy at first glance, so it's interesting to think of where the humor could be. However, if you look closer, there is actually some humor. The mere fact that Clarissa and Peter's entire relationship snowballed downward simply because of Clarissa getting upset over an unmarried woman being pregnant. Also, referring to Richard Dalloway as "My name is Dalloway!". What's ironic is that that also resulted in a serious situation, when Clarissa protested that "We've had enough of that feeble joke". The thing is, although these are both rather serious situations, there is humor if one looks for it.
Julie is absolutely right that Mrs. Dalloway is in no way a comedy before analyzation of it. Humor is not necessarily jokes at all. The very definition of humor is irony. Sometimes unfortunate, sometims not. A good example of irony being as comedy in this reading would be that when he brings her to the fountain in Bourton. He brings her to this fountain which is stereotypically usually seen as a symbol for love confession that is precisely what he is acting upon. He brings her to the fountain and has been seriously chipped and is old, is't even working properly, spouting water. It's ironic in the comedic sense because whenever a man usually brings their lover to a fountain, it symbolizes glory and happiness and it probably depressing by a stretch. It's not in good condition and is of course not setting up a romantic atmosphere for this discussion of their love for one another. It's very ironic, thus somewhat comical.
The humor is in how emotional Peter Walsh, Clarrissa, and Sally are when Peter is reminiscing about the past. Everyone's emotional cycles are going up and down up and down like a rollercoaster. While Peter Walsh is bawling his eyes out Clarrisa is the one being strong and not shedding a single tear. "It seemed, with the tears running down his cheeks-it was as if she had hit him in the face. She turned, she left him, went away." Although this passage reads sad it is actually quite humorous in terms of the traditional male and female roles. Traditionally or in the 18th or 19 centuries women were the ones who were described as emotional, as somewhat the weaker sex, and sympathetic, while men were described as unsympathetic and strong. But in the passage it describes Clarrissa being the stronger sex, having control of her emotions, collected, and unsympathetic. Peter Walsh is depicted as extremely emotional letting his emotions guide his actions and having no control over his emotions whatsoever. What makes the whole thing humorous is imagining Peter Walsh crying, begging, and flopping all over the place like a child trying to get Clarrisa to stay.
Another event that was humorous in the pages 57-63 was Peter's description of the dinner. One could just imagine all the things that were happening at that dinner. Clarrisa and Mr. Dalloway laughing loudly while Peter sits grumpily at the other side of the table pushing his food around his plate.
I agree with what has been said about "Mrs. Dalloway" (this blog doesn't allow underlines) obviously not being a comedy upon first glance. I think that an instance of humor in this passage was when Peter was thinking of the dinner when Clarissa reacted to the story of the unmarried girl who had a child. The humor I found is when she then runs to the door and threw herself on top of the big sheep dog. I imagine that this would be a humorous scene to witness because a woman from that time era would not usually stand up from the dinner table and begin to play with the dog. I also find it funny that Peter takes this as a signal to him that she didn’t really mean to react in the manner that she did. Peter was looking for a connection between him and Clarissa after seeing her act like someone that disgusted him so much and he found it when she threw herself down on to a dog.
Julie said it all - calling Mr. Dalloway "My name is Dalloway" is rather funny in itself really because they were calling him the wrong name all along before that point.
Also what contributes to the humour is the fact that the joke of referring to Mr. Dalloway as "My name is Dalloway" backfired on Clarissa, as sort of a punishment?
checking in and I agree with Catherine about how it is funny how Clarrisa got up from the table and flung herself on the big sheep dog. She must have gotten fur all over her dress!!!
checking in, and I definitely agree with everyone...
I agree with almost everyone at the circumstances that bring humor (the dog, etc) but I also think in a way the society Clarissa Dalloway circulates in is being poked fun at - or at least scrutinized - that it frivilously humorous.
What I mean by 'frivilously humorous' is that Clarissa's chores, or what she has done throughout her day, seems almost unnecassary - cocktail parties? Shopping for flowers? From what we've discussed about Virginia Woolf from class is that she rebelled against this society (the shopping, the hierarchy, the wealth and the 'responsbility' or lack of that comes with it). The fact that she's basing "Mrs. Dalloway" within the mind of Clarissa Dalloway, we seem more complexly into herself, but also see the outside of herself: what she does, what she sees, who she interacts with.
What I found particuarily 'humorous', in a childish way, was when Peter was sobbing, and Clarissa walked away. Before it seemed that Clarissa was pulled to Peter (the kiss, obviously) but now she seems distanced from him somewhat, and this quick change of heart seems almost 'silly' to me, but of course, complex. The sheer summary of the events seem funny within itself - Peter and Clarissa's reunion - and also this society that they live in and circulate in.
While I don't find everything humorous, I do think Woolf is poking fun at the men, women, and 'events' of upper-crust society, and the frivilous duties and obligations that go along with it.
I think catherine said it very well that it is quite humorous that Clarissa dashes out of the room and flings herself on a sheep dog after hearing about her bestfriend becoming pregnant before she was married. Also the fact that she would not speak to her could be comical. When Peter see Dalloway he knows Clarissa will marry him, this could be made comical also because no one can really know that two people will be married someday yet he was correct!
Checkin in....
I think it's great what Catherine brought up about a woman from that time period (1923...?) getting up from a table and playing with the dog. Very improper of her, thus funny. Thank Catherine. Fantastic Point out!
I think there are comedic elements to "Mrs. Dalloway," even at first glance. The incident with the sheep-dog -- whereupon she throws herself upon it after making a fool of herself in front of Peter. The scene itself -- this exaggerated action -- is humorous. Another funny moment is when Clarissa cannot remember Richard Dalloway's name. She keeps calling him "Wickham," until he awkwardly calls out: "My name is Dalloway!" From this point on, Sally Seton addresses him as such. This is relatively blatant humor. However, even these outrageous moments are ambiguous. They are tinged with tension or sadness. For example, Clarissa throws herself on the sheep-dog because she has just made a fool of herself in front of Peter -- acting prudish and snobby. By showing abandoned affection for the dog, she is trying to tell him "how extraordinarily sympathetic" she is, and how spontaneous she can be. This is a desperate act, one that Peter sees through. Thus, what is initially humorous is actually tinged with the deep sadness that Peter and Clarissa will never have a relationship free of judgements and competition. Another humorous aspect of the book is Peter's fickleness during his walk in London after visiting Clarissa. He describes himself as "utterly free," with an "un-ending future." He feels very young and happy to be in love. He follows the group of young military men, keeping in step with them for a minute, which is funny in itself. Once he can no longer follow them, he follows a young girl whom he finds attractive, making up all sorts of stories about her. This is humorous in an ironic way, (Cooper mentioned irony earlier) because he has just proclaimed his undying love for the woman who's divorce he is organizing, but then he does not hesitate to follow a stranger around London on a whim. He alternates between euphoria -- feeling powerful and ageless -- and grief. At one point, he even falls asleep on the park bench. He bemoans Clarissa's faults and limitations, and a moment later feels great love for her. He is clearly muddled in the head (not constituting insanity, but merely frustration.) It is funny to watch him go through these emotional shifts, especially when they manifest physically -- as in the case of his marching along with the military, following the pretty girl to her house, and ultimately falling asleep on the park bench. Peter clearly has some issues he needs to work out -- both with Clarissa and with his past in general. Unlike Septimus, he explores these issues in a fairly jovial manner, making it fun for the reader to be along for the ride.
Although there are some pretty heavy phrases in this book, there is definitely some lightness to it. One thing I found, like Cooper, to be a tad humorous, was the fountain dribbling water. It's supposed to be a very emotional and intense discussion, yet in the background there is a dribbling fountain, obviously distracting if stated (this book follows all thoughts) and then Peter ends up bawling (like said before, this is ironic because we think men are supposed to be the stronger ones).
I think the subtle humor that pops up from time to time, like all of the exaggerations, the dog, the fountain, Peter snoring in public, give us more of an understanding of Clarissa and Peter's relationship. I feel as if what happened was kind of the way life goes, loving someone to death but ending up marrying someone else. It's depressing, but then really you can't take life seriously all the time. All the problems that happen are kind of funny. You just have to laugh. It's kind of like Peter is laughing at how utterly in love he was with Clarissa, but then there's also the deepness and complexity underneath it, and that's when the deepness of the book comes in. It's just life!
There are some small, yet present elements of comedy in this book. The fact that Clarissa acts so improper with the dog, yet freaks out when something improper is being discussed (the lady getting pregnant before she was married) is ironic, and somewhat entertaining. I also think that Peter and Clarissa's relationship is humorous. If you think about it, they act like children towards each other, and it's almost cute and funny to read. Not referring to Richard by his name is funny too, becausd a lot of people do that when they're jealous. I think that though there are some serious issues and components of this book, if one looks hard enough, there is some definite humor or sarcasm (or irony!) to be found.
KIM! Ba-da-ba-ba-ba I'm loving it!
In other words, I really thought Kim brought up some interesting points; I definitely see where she is coming from.
(At times) Virginia Woolf pokes fun at the society that both she and Clarissa Dalloway are a part of. Being in her forties when she wrote "Mrs. Dalloway" she is only a little younger than Clarissa herself.
I think that maybe Woolf finds a little bit of herself in Clarissa's character. Not only is she a wealthy, middle aged, and upperclass woman, she is both content with her place in society yet she is also very unhappy.
One major example of her discontent stem from her rebelious nature to be free and open with herself. While, on monetary values, Clarissa would probably prefer to be the 'prince' than the 'pauper' there is also much freedom in being a pauper that she yearns to have (again, such as when she was in school, and good friends with Sally Seton).
It is very clear that Woolf herself was rebellious against the restrictions of her class a young woman, one example is the Dreadnought Hoax. Woolf thought that the priviledges of her class could allow such actions while at the other time, it seems like a cry for help, asking someone to set her free.
Many times this is case with adolescents; after a certain point, their cry for help comes in the form of some outrageous deed (such as the Dreadnought Hoax).
As Kim said, she pokes fun at the requirements and lifestyles of upper-class society after WWI. Not only are we discussing the tedious chores that Clarissa does in preparation for her party; the poking goes mainly to the simplicity of the upper-class life style.
First, and probably most important, the story is happening somewhat recently after the armistice of WWI. So, while hundreds and thousands of European familys are devastated by the loss of loved ones, economic troubles, and other unfortunate circumstances that follow any major (world) war, Clarissa Dalloway is worrying about what type of flowers to buy, sewing up her dress, and the success of her party that evening.
Also, she is concerned about her love life and living in memories of the past. She is distraught by the fact that her husband was invited to a luncheon that she was not.
Although I am VASTLY EXAGGERATING to prove a point, it is still true that upper class life is much cushier than the other classes below it.
checking in!
Checking in…I really like what some people have said about the things that Clarissa does socially. Not that these things are necessarily humorous themselves but they are in a way being made fun of by Woolf or at least brought up in a more bright, humorous kind of context.
I think everybody's done a thorough analysis of the humor evident in "Mrs. Dalloway," keeping in mind that it is human nature to find the humor in any situation to make it bearable. In some ways, Peter's situation with Clarissa is truly painful and horrible, but to keep it interesting and tolerable for the reader and for him, both Woolf, and Woolf through Peter's thoughts, provide the reader with humor (like the examples previously stated by everybody), to keep things balanced and realistic. As Christine said, humor is part of life, both the good aspects of life and the bad, and it is evident in "Mrs. Dalloway."
Also: I find it highly interesting, in this section, to get to read descriptions of Clarissa from a main character other than herself. So far we've only heard about her from her own perspective, or briefly from minor characters like the flower-seller. Now, though, we get to gain Peter's views on our protagonist, and I find them intriguing. For example when he says "Clarissa did frighten people." Just having read from Clarissa's point of view, I would not necessarily imagined her as a person particularly capable of instilling fear within others. Also, hearing about her (from Peter) startling a hen, singing, and laughing on their moonlit boat ride, is elucidating as to other aspects of Clarissa's character and behavior that she would not choose to address in her own mind.
i actually have thought from the beginning that Clarissa was something of a humurous character. Her mannerisms specifically but also just hsoe of that time period have always seemed sort of silly to me. As Kim said, even her daily routine is strangely funny. peter remarks on it in some respects in his view of the "Dalloway way" and how they all judge him.
- Checking in -
Laurel, interesting point about the descriptions of Clarissa from other characters than herself. To really learn about a person, one must hear all different perspectives and points of view.
Also, although my previous blog focussed more on the entirety of the work rather than specific incidents, as everyone said there are (especially in this reading) tangible examples of humor.
Finally (I'm almost done) I forgot to mention earlier, Cooper I thought your take on humor was very interesting.
"Humor is not necessarily jokes at all. The very definition of humor is irony"
I think this rings very true to Mrs. Dalloway because while there are not many knee-slappers or laugh out loud moments in the story, there is much irony in the text.
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also, in response to mike and laurel, the descriptions from others are quite different. clarissa seems much colder than i thought before.
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