For those who missed class on 4/17 and 4/18 Mrs. Dalloway: Motif Notes and Assignment

CATALYST # /4.18 What motifs (repeated items, ideas or references) have you noted throughout Mrs. Dalloway? Identify two. For each motif: Find at least 3 quotations where this motif is mentioned and note the page number. Comment on the meaning of the motif as it is mentioned in each example that you found. Offer a possible overall meaning of this motif in the text.

The Garden Cultivated and carefully planned. Restricted to certain vegetation. Represents order.

The Tree Represents life and knowledge

Flowers Flowers represent life and vitality as well as femininity and can often be seen as symbols of the female reproductive system Roses typically symbolize beauty, passion and love Daisies typically symbolize innocence, simplicity. Hydrangeas come from the root word for ‘water’

The Cave/Secluded Areas Deep down where the character delves within themselves. Place that the character goes when “invisible” or inactive. At the extreme may signify death

The Fountain Stands for purification; the sprinkling of water (baptism) washes away sin. Water of fountain gives new life

Colors Red: blood, sacrifice, violent passion, disorder Green: growth, sensation, hope, fertility Blue: highly positive, truth, religious feeling, spiritual purity, security White: light, purity, innocence, supernatural Black: chaos, mystery, the unknown, death, evil Yellow: decay, sickness

Motifs to Trace 1. Colors 2. Flowers 3. Big Ben 4. Gardens/parks 5. Individual rooms/privacy (refer to cave notes) You will be assigned one of these to trace in detail in the novel.

Motif Tracing Find at least 6 references to your motif in the novel. Record your references chronologically in the outer part of the circle (with page numbers!) Comment on the immediate significance of each reference in the scene itself in the middle part of the circle. Comment on the overall significance of the motif in the center of the circle.