Mrs. D #16

“Now that one was old…now that one was mature…one could watch, one could understand, and one did not lose the power of feeling” (p193). Peter Walsh explains how, now that he has matured, he is able to know people. He says when he was young he “was too much excited” to fathom relationships. Peter and Sally both agree that they feel more passionately about things which before had an inferior effect on them. Woolf must have appreciated growing mature, enjoying the wisdom that comes with it.

Mrs. D #15

“But this young man who had killed himself-had he plunged holding his treasure? ‘If it were now to die, ’twere now to be most happy’” (p184). The news of a young man’s suicide (Septimus’) is reported at Mrs. Dalloway’s party. She, although upset by this disturbance, finds herself regarding the situation. She was not appalled by this news, as many are, but interested; asking herself questions of suicide. Virginia Woolf committed suicide sixteen years after this book was published. In her final note to her husband she writes: “Everything has gone from me but the certainty of your goodness. I can't go on spoiling your life any longer. I don't think two people could have been happier than we have been.” The main character in Woolf’s novel says how if one must kill herself, she must be happy when approaching her death. The last line in Woolf’s letter explains that she was happy with her husband throughout her life with him.
“Virginia Woolf.” Wikipedia. 29 Sept. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_woolf

Mrs. D #14

“For she never spoke of England, but this isle of men, this dear, dear land, was in her blood (without reading Shakespeare)” (p180). When regarding early England, one almost instantaneously thinks of Shakespeare. He is arguably the most renowned figure from England. Woolf writes how impressive this woman’s English background and appearance are, all without having read a single work of Shakespeare’s.

Mrs. D # 13

“She could not resist recalling what Charles Darwin had said about her little book on the orchids of Burma” (p179). At Clarissa’s party, Aunt Helena converses only about India and Burma: a country along India’s southeast border. She explains to Peter Walsh how Charles Darwin, famous for his theory of evolution, had praised her work “on the orchids of Burma,” an accomplishment of very few people. Virginia Woolf includes the mentioning of Burma and Darwin to add depth to her novel, making it recognizable to the reader.
“Burma.” Wikipedia. 29 Sept. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma

Mrs. D # 12

“[They all felt] this majesty passing; this symbol of what they all stood for, English society” (p172). The Prime Minister enters the party and nobody wants to gawk in his direction. They all continue with their conversations, knowing that “majesty” has entered. They respect this man, the emblem of their society. Woolf’s inclusion of the nameless respected Prime Minister could very well be alluding to Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister of England during the period which this novel was written. She may have been a friend of his; authors often include (directly or indirectly) their companions in their works.
"Mrs Dalloway." Free Website Hosting – Angelfire free website templates to make your own free website. Web. 29 Sept. 2009. http://www.angelfire.com/ns2/phoenixbookreviews/GuestReviews.html/JVDKMrsDalloway.html.

Mrs. D #11

“Read about Surrey and Yorkshire-he had held out that copper millions of times. Surrey was all out once more” (p162). Surrey and Yorkshire are two of the eighteen cricket teams in the Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Cricket is very similar to baseball, but less formal. A “bowler” bowls a ball to a batter, who tries to hit it as far as he can. A team gets one point every time a batter runs to a marked distance and back without getting out. Innings in cricket can take up to several hours and are intended to have refreshment breaks in between. In her novel Woolf references cricket: a sport commonly played in England. She uses examples of English traditions to emphasize the importance of her novel taking place in England.
“What is Cricket?" WiseGEEK: clear answers for common questions. Web. 29 Sept. 2009. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-cricket.htm.

Mrs. D #10

“Sitting on the bus going up Shaftesbury Avenue, she felt herself everywhere; not ‘here, here, here’; and she tapped the back of the seat; but everywhere” (p152). Clarissa explains how she observes herself looking upon all of London, with a feeling of awe. In present day London there are nine such “Shaftesbury” Avenues. The most popular of them being Shaftesbury Avenue in Westminster. Woolf most likely was referencing this particular one, seeing as Westminster Abbey (in Westminster) is alluded to many times throughout the novel.
"LondonTown.com Shaftesbury Avenue Guide Shaftesbury Avenue London, W1D, England, UK London Streets by Street." LondonTown.com The Number One Internet Site for London England - London hotel and event review. Web. 29 Sept. 2009. http://www.londontown.com/LondonStreets/shaftesbury_avenue_26c.html#other.

Mrs. D #9

“For Dr. Holmes seemed to stand for something horrible to him. ‘Human nature,’ he called him” (p140). It is known to the reader that Septimus abhors Dr. Holmes. Septimus feels as though he does not need a doctor; he believes he is not mad. Calling Holmes “human nature” gives the reader a sense that Septimus dislikes the human race. Woolf gives him one of the largest allusions in the novel, referencing everyone in the world. She creates a character who is appalled by the way his kind treats others.

Mrs. D #8

“Reading Baron Marbot for she could not sleep, it proves she has a heart” (p135). Clarissa wonders about her daughter, Elizabeth. She questions Elizabeth’s friendship with Miss Kilman, whom Clarissa despises. Clarissa convinces herself that at least Elizabeth “has a heart,” shown by reading Baron Marbot. Marbot was a French soldier who served under Napoleon. The Memoirs of his Life and Campaigns, written about Marbot, demonstrates the Napoleonic age of warfare. Virginia Woolf includes this in her novel for it is fascinating and romantic; it shows Elizabeth has a heart.
"Jean Baptiste Antoine Marcelin, baron de Marbot - LoveToKnow 1911." 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica - Free Online. Web. 30 Sept. 2009. http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Jean_Baptiste_Antoine_Marcelin%2C_baron_de_Marbot.

Mrs. D #7

“People gazed round and shuffled past the tomb of the Unknown Warrior” (p133). The tomb of the British Unknown Warrior is located in Westminster Abbey in London. This Unknown Soldier was buried in 1920 to honor the unknown dead from World War 1. It was kept a secret as to which battlefield the soldier came from so that he would truly represent all of the unknown dead. Many people have visited this tomb, worshipping everyone who had perished for their country. Woolf includes the Unknown Warrior when Elizabeth and Miss Kilman go to Westminster. Woolf honors these unknown fallen soldiers in her novel.
"The Unknown Warrior -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 30 Sept. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_the_Unknown_Warrior.

Mrs. D #6

“Big Ben struck the half-hour” (p127). Big Ben is the name given to the bell in the famous clock tower at the Palace of Westminster in London. It is a great icon and landmark in London; it has been around since 1859. Woolf constantly alludes to Big Ben throughout her novel. Mrs. Dalloway takes place in just one day, so knowing the time of the day is important for the reader to follow along. It gives rhythm to the story, as it is mentioned every half-hour or hour. Woolf uses Big Ben to connect the many different scenes in her novel.
"Big Ben -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 30 Sept. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ben.

Mrs. D #5

“Miss Kilman stood there (and stand she did, with the power and taciturnity of some prehistoric monster armored for primeval warfare)” (p126). Virginia Woolf describes Miss Kilman as a “prehistoric monster” ready for war. A perfect example of imagery in Woolf’s novel, this could make the reader view Miss Kilman differently. Clarissa Dalloway detests this woman. Feeling as though she is “taking her daughter from her,” she pictures Kilman’s demise and laughs. The idea of Miss Kilman fading away rapidly enlightens Clarissa, allowing her daughter to continue to the stores.

Mrs. D #4

“One letter to the Times, she used to say to Miss Brush, cost her more than to organize an expedition to South Africa” (p109). The Times is a national newspaper in the United Kingdom. It was originated in 1785. It is a highly prestigious newspaper and its writers are respected and honored. The Times created the printing font Times Roman, which has been widely used throughout the world. Woolf recognizes the paper’s prominence and later calls it an “art” to be capable of writing letter to the Times.
"The Times -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 30 Sept. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Times.

Mrs. D #3

“We are a doomed race, chained to a sinking ship (her favorite reading as a girl was Huxley and Tyndall, and they were fond of these nautical metaphors)” (p77). Huxley and Tyndall were both scientists, educators, and supporters of Darwin’s theory of evolution. The references to these three men throughout the novel lead the reader to believe that Virginia Woolf must have admired them as scientists. They lead the major breakthrough in science in the 1800’s, setting the pace for the 1900’s. Peter Walsh, explaining Clarissa’s characteristics, includes these famous educators to relate them to Clarissa Dalloway.
"John Tyndall." Lexicorps. Web. 30 Sept. 2009. http://www.lexicorps.com/Tyndall.htm.

Mrs. D #2

“Such things happen to every one. Every one has friends who were killed in the War. Every one gives up something when they marry” (p66). The “War” alluded to here is World War I. Mrs. Dalloway takes place in the 1920’s, not long after this war had ended. The effect the War had on the world is incredible. Rezia is annoyed that her husband, Septimus, acts as if his friend was the only person lost in the war. She reassures herself that everyone has lost something, and also that her husband is going mad. She has given this up through their marriage. It is doubtful that Woolf did not lose a friend in the war. She could be alluding to moments from her life, including sacrifices she had made by marrying.

Mrs. D #1

“Pausing at the edge of the pavement; and all the exalted statues, Nelson, Gordon, Havelock, the black, the spectacular images of great soldiers stood looking ahead of them, as if they too had made the same renunciation” (p51). Nelson was an admiral who commanded the British fleet in the last 1700’s. His statue is in the middle of Trafalgar Square in London, facing the Palace of Westminster. When this novel was published Trafalgar Square was a significant social and political location; statues of these famous men surrounding it. By including this allusion in her novel, Virginia Woolf sets the scene of the entire day, based in London in the 1920’s. These statues are well known landmarks in London and give a sense of location to the reader.
"NELSON'S COLUMN AT TRAFALGAR SQUARE LONDON ENGLAND MONUMENT TO LORD HORATIO NELSON 1758 TO 1805 ADMIRAL OF THE BRITISH FLEET BATTLE OF CAPE TRAFALGAR." SOLAR NAVIGATOR HOMEPAGE INFORMATION PORTAL MARINE WORLD ELECTRIC NAVIGATION CHALLENGE. Web. 30 Sept. 2009. http://www.solarnavigator.net/history/nelsons_column_trafalgar_square_london_england.htm.

F #25

“I imagined that I also might obtain a niche in the temple where the names of Homer and Shakespeare are consecrated” (p.2). Homer was one of the greatest writers of ancient Greece. His most famous works, the Iliad and the Odyssey, have been read by scholars since their creation. Shelley also references Shakespeare; arguably the most known writer of all time. His works have inspired people, cultures, events, literature, and many more such things. He will forever be known; one cannot go through high school without reading a few of his novels or plays. Robert Walton longs to be as famous as these two heroes of the literature world. He is audacious and eager to make new discoveries. The author uses this character to tell Frankenstein's story through. Walton's comparisons to the younger Victor unavoidable, and this may be Shelley's method of beginning and ending her novel in an exquisite way.
“Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.” Think Quest. 30 Aug. 2009. http://library.thinkquest.org/19300/data/homer.htm

F #24

“Those were the last moments of my life during which I enjoyed the feeling of happiness” (p.142). The novel, Frankenstein, is supposed to strike fear into the hearts of its readers. Prior to this phrase the reader is unsure whether or not anything detrimental occurs to Victor in the rest of the book. The reader only knows that the creature had vowed “to be with [Victor] on his wedding night.” After this sentence the reader now knows for sure that this story will not have a happy ending. The reader is most-likely now afraid of the outcome, knowing that it will not be pleasant. This is an exceptional skill that Mary Shelley has portrayed in her piece.

F #23

“With a devouring maladie du pays” (p.134). Maladie du pays is French for “home sickness.” This is one of very few (or the only?) examples where Victor uses his native language. Victor is recovering from three months in prison and a devastating loss of his friend. With the new accompaniment of his father, he misses his homeland and the rest of his family dearly. This may be the reason that Shelley has him speak in his native language. She could be reminding her audience that Frankenstein is in fact French.
“Maladie du pays.” English Upenn. 30 Aug. 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V3notes/maladie.html

F #22

“We visited the tomb of the illustrious Hampden, and the field on which the patriot fell” (p.117). John Hampden served in Parliament and resisted King Charles’s taxes and plans. He had an active role against the King in the Civil War in the early 1640s. Mary and Percy Shelley visited Hampden’s tomb in 1817, about a century and a half after Hampden’s death. In the novel, Frankenstein, Victor and Henry Clerval go on a long journey to different parts of Europe. They went to Hampden’s tomb “a century and a half” after these events had occurred. It seems as though many things that Shelley’s characters in her book do and see had been done or seen by the Shelleys.
“John Hampden.” English Upenn. 30 Aug. 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/People/hampden.html

F #21

“He was being formed in the ‘very poetry of nature’” (p.113). ‘Very poetry of nature’ is taken from The Story of Rimini by Leigh Hunt. Hunt was a dear friend of Mary and Percy Shelley and helped them promote their works. Throughout Frankenstein, Mary Shelley continuously uses phrases from her loved ones’ writings. She must have had a great deal of respect towards these people, with her feelings towards Hunt no different. Hunt dedicated The Story of Rimini to Lord Byron, another one of the Shelley’s close friends.
“Leigh Hunt's ‘Rimini’.” English Upenn. 30 Aug. 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V3notes/rimini.html

F #20

“But it was all a dream; no Eve soothed my sorrows nor shared my thoughts; I was alone” (p.93). The creature desperately wanted someone similar to him, someone that appeared as he did. He would prefer this being to be a female, but he really just wanted somebody who cared for him. He feels entirely lost, as he does not understand why he is the way he is. He curses his Creator, Frankenstein, and wishes to be like Adam. At this point in the novel, Shelley may want the reader to pity the creature and wish for him to find a friend.

F #19

“Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition” (p.92). Frankenstein’s monster explains to Frankenstein how he had been so intrigued by Paradise Lost. He could only find one similarity between him and Adam; having no link to anyone else. The creature could, however, find more similarities with the evil Satan. He found himself, like Satan, often full of envy, an emotion that commonly leads to evil-doings. Mary Shelley has her character, the monster, relate himself to an evil character a few times. She could be foreshadowing the future events in her novel.

F #18

“Fortunately the books were written in the language…they consisted of Paradise Lost, a volume of Plutarch’s Lives, and the Sorrows of Werter” (p.91). A little earlier in Shelley's novel, the monster alludes to the book Paradise Lost. He now explains that he had come across this book, which he was pleased to see that it was in his language. He also finds a copy of Plutarch’s Lives, which is comprised of forty-six biographies of Greek and Roman people who emphasized morality. The last book he uncovers is the Sorrows of Werter, by Johann von Goethe. Von Goethe was one of the most influential writers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Referencing these books demonstrates the author's intelligence which, for such a young age, is quite impressive.
“Plutarch.” English Upenn. 30 Aug. 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/Plutarch/plutarch.html

F #17

“The book from which Felix instructed Safie was Volney’s Ruins of Empires” (p.84). Ruins of Empires was written during the early part of the French Revolution. Volney questions the ideas of the world during this time period. Frankenstein’s monster learned a lot of his language by listening to Felix and Safie read this book. Some of his ideas that human culture is flawed may have come from being “brought up” by this book. Mary Shelley may have chosen to allude to this book in her own because of the great effect it had on her husband’s ideas.
“Ruins of Empire.” English Upenn. 30 Aug. 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V2notes/ruins.html

F #16

“It was as the ass and the lap-dog” (p. 81). Frankenstein’s monster recalls how he had felt looking in at the family in the cottage, and how much he longed to be their friend. He compares himself to the ass in the fable The Ass and the Lapdog. In this fable an ass is jealous of a man’s lapdog and wants affection from the man as well. The ass had noticed the lapdog’s actions and he tried to do the same; jumping on the man and licking him. Ultimately, the ass was beaten for this behavior even though his intentions were compassionate. Mary Shelley accurately compares her character to another from a well known fable. The monster is already educated enough to communicate in a language, let alone recall a fable.
“The Ass and the Lapdog.” Ancient History. 30 Aug. 2009. http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_aesop_ass_lapdog.htm

F #15

“It presented to me then as exquisite and divine a retreat as Pandaemonium appeared to the daemons of hell after their sufferings in the lake of fire” (p.73). Frankenstein’s monster tells him his entire story since his creation. Here he references the poem Paradise Lost by John Milton, an English poet. The author uses comparisons of the monster's life to others works, which makes the reader (and most like Frankenstein as well) wonder where and how the monster received all of this information so quickly.
“Pandæmonium.” English Upenn. 30 Aug. 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V2notes/aspan.html

F #14

“For the first time, also, I felt what the duties of a creator towards his creature were, and that I ought to render him happy before I complained of his wickedness” (p.70). Frankenstein finally agrees to listen to his creature’s story. He feels (as he should) compelled to try and help the thing that he created. Victor realizes that he cannot sensibly make complaints about his monster until he has tried to help him. He resolves to at least listen to his creature’s story, and determine what he will do next upon conclusion of the story. Shelley creates a unique relationship between Frankenstein and his monster. She uses both of them to reflect the other's characteristics and make the plot more distinguished to the reader.

F #13

“Mont Blanc, the supreme and magnificent Mont Blanc, raised itself from the surrounding aiguilles, and its tremendous dome overlooked the valley” (p.65). Mont Blanc is the largest mountain in Western Europe and is located in France and Italy. According to the footnote in the Dover edition of Frankenstein, aiguilles are sharp-pointed pinnacles of rock. Throughout the novel, Shelley has alluded to this “supreme and magnificent” mountain many times. It must have been of great importance to her for her to have written about it as much as she did. Her husband had also written a romantic poem titled Mont Blanc that was intended to capture its power.
“Mont Blanc.” Wikipedia. 30 Aug. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Blanc

F #12

“I contemplated the lake: the waters were placid; all around was calm, and the snowy mountains, ‘the palaces of nature,’ were not changed” (p.48-49). “The palaces of nature” was taken from the poem Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, written by Lord Byron. Lord Byron was a friend of Shelley’s and her husband’s. The fact that she quoted a line from one of his works shows the respect that she had for him. He is also mentioned in the author’s introduction and he was a big reason that Mary Shelley even wrote Frankenstein.

F #11

“How different from the manly and heroical poetry of Greece and Rome!” (p.44). Frankenstein studied some of the Oriental works with Clerval. He discovered how soothing and uplifting their stories are, unlike the poetry of Greece and Rome that he was used to. Frankenstein was so accustomed to poems and stories of war, heroes, and voyages, that when he takes time to regard other culture’s literature he is surprised at the difference. Shelley uses obvious knowledge into these different styles of literature to enhance her novel.

F #10

“The same reason that Ariosto gives concerning the beauty of Angelica” (p.41). Lodovico Ariosto was an Italian poet, best known for writing Orlando Furioso. The heroine of this romantic poem is Angelica. In Elizabeth’s letter to Victor she recollects when Victor used to look at Justine, he would instantly be in a better mood. Shelley explains that this is the reason that Ariosto made Angelica so beautiful in his story.
“Lodovico Ariosto.” English Upenn. 30 Aug. 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/People/ariosto.html

F #9

“His constant answer to my unwearied intreaties was the same as that to the Dutch schoolmaster in The Vicar of Wakefield: ‘I have ten thousand florins a year without Greek, I eat heartily without Greek’ ” (p.37). The man from The Vicar of Wakefield basically says how he gets along very well without Greek, and he sees no good as to learning it. In Mary Shelley’s novel, Henry Clerval is explaining to Victor how difficult it was to convince his father to let him go. Clerval says how his father did not see any use in it, so Clerval compares his father to the Dutch schoolmaster. This is yet another example of Shelley relating to other works to give the reader a more realistic sense of the book.

F #8

“I was like the Arabian who had been buried with the dead” (p.31). In the novel The Arabian Nights, an Arabian is given a wife, but soon after she dies. In this country one is supposed to be buried with their spouse, so this Arabian was buried with her, although he eventually escapes after discovering some light above him. Mary Shelley addresses Frankenstein and how he is like this man; having had discovered a “passage to life,” but was troubled as to actually getting to it.
“Links.” My Hideous Progeny: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. 30 Aug. 2009. http://home-1.worldonline.nl/~hamberg/frankenstein/literaryworks.html

F #7

“I entered with the greatest diligence into the search of the philosopher’s stone and the elixir of life” (p.21). The philosopher’s stone and the elixir of life are both legendary substances and (as Shelley knows), by the nineteenth century, both started to become recognized as unrealistic. The stone would supposedly be capable of turning any metal to pure gold, making anyone instantly rich. The elixir of life, thought to be a liquid that you drink, supposedly would give the drinker eternal life or youth. Both of these substances have been sought-after by many alchemists, but it is very unlikely that anyone has ever owned one of them. The author includes these objects in the area that first interests Frankenstein. From the very beginning the reader is accustomed to Victor's innovative mind.
“The Philosopher’s Stone.” Crystalinks. 30 Aug. 2009. http://www.crystalinks.com/philosopherstone.html

F #6

“Sir Isaac Newton is said to have avowed that he felt like a child picking up shells beside the great and unexplored ocean of truth” (p.21). Victor Frankenstein quotes Isaac Newton, who is considered to be one of the most influential men in history. His contributions to mathematics and science are incredible; his many theories are now widely known and accepted. Shelley leads Frankenstein to becoming a very advanced scholar. At a considerably young age, Frankenstein had read many volumes written by some of the most famous alchemists and scientists the world had known, leading him towards his own discoveries.
“Isaac Newton.” Wikipedia. 30 Aug. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton

F #5

“…and afterwards of Paracelsus and Albertus Magnus” (p.21). Paracelsus was a famous alchemist who lived during the middle ages. He made many great discoveries for science, and especially for medicine. He is said to have introduced mercury and opium to the medicine world. Albertus Magnus was a bishop who introduced the idea of science and religion acting together. He is considered one of the greatest German philosophers of the Middle Ages. Frankenstein begins to read works of these two authors after finishing the volume of Agrippa. Shelley references many famous scientists. She wants Frankenstein to be studious and recognized as a very bright scholar.
“Paracelsus.” Alchemy Lab. 30 Aug. 2009. http://www.alchemylab.com/paracelsus.htm
“Albertus Magnus.” Wikipedia. 30 Aug. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albertus_Magnus

F #4

“In this house I chanced to find a volume of the works of Cornelius Agrippa” (p.20). Agrippa was famous for his study of magic, but he also was an alchemist, theologian, and a writer. The author uses one of Agrippa's works as the piece that first sparked the interest of natural philosophy in Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein says how he thinks that the finding of Cornelius Agrippa’s works led to his discoveries, and eventually his ruin.
“Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa.” Wikipedia. 29 Aug. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelius_Agrippa

F #3

“The characters were drawn from the heroes of Roncesvalles, of the Round Table of King Arthur” (p.19). Frankenstein is discussing his childhood with Clerval. The characters that they normally played were “heroes of Roncesvalles,” which include names such as: Sir Lancelot, Sir Constantine, and King Leodegrance. The legendary Round Table was created without a “head” of the table, so that everyone would feel equal at their meetings. The author references many historical things throughout her book. These references make Shelley's story seem more realistic, which could possibly help distribute fear in her readers.
“Knights of the Round Table.” Wikipedia. 30 Aug. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_of_the_Round_Table

F #2

“At the distance of rather more than a league from the city” (p.18). Mary Shelley uses the measurement “league” often throughout her novel. It is not as commonly used presently as it has been in the past. There are two different distances for a league, one for on land, and one for on water. The distance of a league on land is exactly three miles. The distance of a league on water is approximately 3.452 miles. The title of the famous book by Jules Vernes is "20,000 Leagues under the Sea". This distance is already in “water leagues” (nautical) so it is equivalent to 60,000 nautical miles.
“Measurements & Units.” Final Answers. 30 Aug. 2009. http://home.att.net/~numericana/answer/units.htm#league

F #1

“On the birth of their second son, my junior by seven years…” (p.18) Victor Frankenstein refers to Ernest as his parents “second son.” When talking about Elizabeth and his friend Henry Clerval he uses their actual names. Shelley may be hiding a conflict between Ernest and Victor that we never really discover, or this could just be a coincidence. The second half of this quote, “my junior by seven years”, is an example of a phrase that is not as common in our era as it used to be. It expresses that he is younger than Victor by seven years. Someone may also say “my senior by seven years,” which means that he is older than this person by seven years.

HOD #25

“I shall see this eloquent phantom as long as I live, and I shall see her, too, a tragic and familiar Shade” (p.71). Marlow expresses his thoughts about Kurtz’s Intended, a woman who loved Kurtz dearly. He says how much of an impact she had on him, and how he will always remember her and her feelings towards Mr. Kurtz. He could connect with her feelings, delineated by “a tragic and familiar Shade.” Up to this point in the book there is some uncertainty about who Kurtz really was. Conrad uses Marlow’s visit to Kurtz’s Intended to clear up some questions about Kurtz. Marlow discovers someone who loved Kurtz, and some of his feeling about Kurtz may have changed from this incident.

HOD #24

“But while we were still shaking hands, such a look of awful desolation came upon her face that I perceived she was one of those creatures that are not the playthings of Time” (p.69). To me a “plaything of Time” would be something or someone who goes along with their life, letting time consume them. Marlow visits Kurtz’s Intended who gives a great impression on Marlow. He felt, just as she did, that Kurtz had died only the day before. To him, she is not someone who easily moves on, but dwells in the past. Conrad connotes that time can consume people. Many people are overwhelmed by the nature of time, a very erratic topic. The author might want the world to understand time better, and the mysterious things it can do.

HOD #23

“I saw a row of pilgrims squirting lead in the air out of Winchesters held to the hip” (p.60). Winchester rifles were made in the 1800s. They were common in this time because they could fire several shots before having to be reloaded. Without this information the reader may be a little confused when reading this passage, as I was. The author uses references to many things of his time throughout this novel, which gives the reader a better understanding of this era.
“Winchester rifle.” MSN Encarta. 29 Aug. 2009. http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861713447/Winchester_rifle.html

HOD #22

“Perhaps you will think it passing strange this regret for a savage who was no more account than a grain of sand in a black Sahara” (p.46). The author makes a reference to the Sahara desert, the largest desert in the world. It is approximately 3,500,000 square miles, which means it is about half the size of the continental United States. Conrad's knowledge of the world in its entirety is extremely impressive. The narrator says how the savage is like a grain of sand in this desert, which is extremely degrading.
“Sahara.” MSN Encarta. 29 Aug. 2009. http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861726848/Sahara.html

HOD #21

“It contained a couch, two campstools, a loaded Martini-Henry leaning in one corner, a tiny table, and the steering wheel” (p.40). The Martini-Henry rifle was greatly used in England in the late 1800s. It was used for over thirty years, a very long span for the same rifle. This is yet another example of the author alluding to materials of his time period. They set the stage for this story, and without them the reader would be lost not knowing the era in which these events are supposed to take place.
“Rifles and Carbines.” Martini-Henry. 29 Aug. 2009. http://www.martinihenry.com/

HOD #20

“The approach to this Kurtz grubbing for ivory in the wretched bush was beset by as many dangers as though he had been an enchanted princess sleeping in a fabulous castle” (p.38). Marlow’s comparison of Kurtz to an enchanted princess brings out a mythical side to this story. To Marlow, Kurtz has always seemed like a mythical creature; he is always hearing stories about him but never actually meeting Kurtz himself. When approaching the heart of darkness, and Kurtz, the story does lean to the mythical side. The reader must distinguish between what is an exaggeration of Marlow’s and what is realistic (in this story). Conrad adds this fresh idea that the heart of darkness is mythical. Many people can relate to something unknown in their life to being mythical.

HOD #19

“I observed with assumed innocence that no man was safe from trouble in this world” (p.34). The narrator, Marlow, could be talking about the world that we all live in, or just the “world” that he is in, in Africa. The world we all live in is quite different for everyone, but trouble can find you even at the best of times. In this novel, however, I believe that Marlow was talking about the “world” that he was in in Africa, searching for Kurtz. He seems to feel unprotected in this area, and mentions how no man was safe from trouble.

HOD #18

“Its title was, An Inquiry into Some Points of Seamanship, by a man Tower, Towson - some such name - Master in his Majesty’s Navy” (p.34). About fifty miles below Kurtz’s Inner Station Marlow discovers a hut of reeds, a woodpile, this book, and a warning note. The note says to hurry, but approach cautiously. This worries Marlow and he fears that they may not be able to help Kurtz. There are notes in this book in cipher, a great discovery and mystery to Marlow. The author's intent for this scene may be to make the reader realize the urgency for Marlow's team to discover Kurtz.

HOD #17

“A deadened burst of mighty splashes and snorts reached us from afar, as though an ichthyosaurus had been taking a bath of glitter in the great river” (p. 26). An ichthyosaurus was a dinosaur from the Early Jurassic period. Its name means “fish lizard” as it was a dinosaur which lived in the oceans. The narrator references this water dinosaur as a very large creature; in the Jurassic period it grew up to thirty feet long. The remains of this dinosaur were found in Europe, which explains Conrad’s reference to it in his novel. Conrad gives more of a fictional picture to the reader in this passage.
“Ichthyosaurus.” Mountain City Elementary. 29 Aug. 2009. http://www.mce.k12tn.net/dinosaurs/ichthyosaurus.htm

HOD #16

“What more did I want? What I really wanted was rivets, by heaven! Rivets” (p.24). Rivets are mechanical fasteners, and have been used to keep parts of buildings and structures together. The Eiffel Tower in France was constructed, using riveting, in the late 1800s. Conrad was familiar with rivets, as he mentions them in his story. He makes it possible for the reader to capture the era that this story transpires.
“Rivet.” Wikipedia. 29 Aug. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivet

HOD #15

“I believed it in the same way one of you might believe there are inhabitants in the planet Mars” (p.23). Marlow had heard so much about Mr. Kurtz that he started to doubt his existence. When told the whereabouts of Kurtz, Marlow says that he did not believe it. He uses a reference to Mars, and to the idea that there are no other life forms in Mars, to help describe his thoughts when he had been told this. Conrad does an amazing job throughout this novel comparing parts of his story to more realistic events that the reader can relate to.

HOD #14

“I let him run on, this papier-mache Mephistopheles” (p.23). Mephistopheles is the fictional devil from the legend of Faust. He has been referenced in many works of literature, normally as a devil-figure. Papier-mache is a form of art where the shape of a figure is created, and wet paper is placed all around it. The figure can become anything the creator wishes, and it is hollow inside. Conrad writes how this man who claimed to be a brick maker, was really a liar and hollow like papier-mache.
“Mephistopheles in popular culture.” Wikipedia. 29 Aug. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephistopheles_in_popular_culture

HOD #13

“He alluded constantly to Europe, to the people I was supposed to know there” (p.21). Marlow meets a young aristocrat who is very interested in Marlow. He talks to him for a long while, and mentions people from Europe that he thought Marlow would know. To the reader it seems as though the man believed that Marlow, being from Europe, knew of everybody that lived there. This is a common deception of mankind that Conrad might have wanted to point out. Throughout this novel the author hints at a few of our kind’s mistakes in life, and he must want his audience to notice them as well.

HOD #12

“By Jove! I’ve never seen anything so unreal in my life” (p. 20). “By Jove” is an exclamation of surprise, and is very British. In ancient Roman times, Jove was a name for the god Jupiter. Jupiter was the god of the sky and had similar powers to the ancient Greek god Zeus. Throughout the novel the author incorporates this exclamation through the narrator, Marlow. It seems to be a common phrase of Conrad's time period, and a very common saying throughout the book.
“By Jove.” World Wide Words. 28 Aug. 2009. http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-byj1.htm

HOD #11

“Perhaps on some quiet night the tremor of far-off drums…and perhaps with as profound a meaning as the sound of bells in a Christian country” (p.17). The sound of bells in a Christian country is the Christian people’s call. The narrator relates these people to Christians and the far-off drums to bells. He says how “appealing, suggestive, and wild” the tremor of these drums is to these people, similar to the bells for Christians. Bells are usually located at a church, the meeting place for Christians. The mentioning of Christianity in Conrad's novel suggests that he could have been Christian. He might have been relating to his own experiences. The sound of the drums in this story could be coming from the tribe's confluence.

HOD #10

“It was hot there, too; big flies buzzed fiendishly, and did not sting, but stabbed” (p. 15). The narrator of this novel is an excellent story teller. He can draw in his audience using imagery such as “did not sting, but stabbed”. Even though Conrad may exaggerate, it helps to more accurately elucidate the events and moods throughout the novel. In this example the narrator emphasizes just how obnoxious the flies are.

HOD #9

“He had a uniform jacket with one button off, and seeing a white man on the path, hoisted his weapon to his shoulder with alacrity” (p.13). The usage of the word ‘white’ by the author shows how racism is still a factor in this era. There are a few examples of this throughout the novel, enough so that it is noticeable by the reader. This may not have a decent effect on the book, but it does give the reader a better perspective about the time period in which the novel was conceived.

HOD #8

“I felt as though, instead of the center of a continent, I were about to set off for the center of the Earth” (p.10). Throughout the book Marlow tends to use imagery while telling his story, trying to recreate his feelings as best as possible. He may sometimes exaggerate a little bit, but he succeeds at getting through with his listeners. Here he emphasizes the unknown ahead of him, and the feelings of importance that he has. Conrad applies imagery in Marlow's story; which establishes the overall effect it may have on the reader.

HOD #7

“’I am not such a fool as I look, quoth Plato to his disciples,’ he said sententiously, emptied his glass with great resolution and we rose” (p.9). The narrator quotes a man who had quoted Plato, a Greek philosopher. According to MSN Encarta, Plato is one of the most creative and influential thinkers in philosophy. The man that the narrator spoke to quoted Plato, the founder of the first European university, which demonstrates that the author is educated and interested in philosophy.
“Plato.” MSN Encarta. 17 Aug. 2009. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761568769/Plato.html

HOD #6

“Only just as I began to think of getting out of her way, as you would for a somnambulist, stood still, and looked up” (p. 7). The definition for a somnambulist is someone who walks around in their sleep (http://www.english-test.net). Marlow explains how this woman walked towards him, in a sort of uninterrupted way. To him, she walked as a somnambulist would, and he felt as though he needed to make room to let her pass. Although Polish, Conrad has created one of the most acclaimed bestsellers in the English language. Part of the reason for his success is the unique vocabulary used throughout the novel, and shown here.
“English Grammar Exercises”. Free English Tests. 17 Aug. 2009. http://www.english-test.net/

HOD #5

“They were men enough to face the darkness” (p. 4). The narrator (now Marlow) is saying how you have to be tough to encounter the darkness, the unknown. In the time period when the author wrote this novel women were still not thought capable of many things. Times have changed immensely and women now are known to be able to do just as much as men. However, when Conrad was writing this book in the late 1800’s, this was a common theme, and is shown vividly here.

HOD #4

“Their minds are of the stay-at-home order, and their home is always with them - the ship; and so is their country - the sea” (p.3). The narrator explains the importance of a seaman’s ship. He compares seamen’s ships to their homes, saying that being on their ship is where they feel safe. The narrator expounds upon the idea that the sea is comparable to the seaman’s country. It is much bigger than their ship and there are many unexplored places within the sea; but a seaman is still comfortable there. Joseph Conrad emphasizes the importance of the sea and the ship to seamen, and how they never feel the same anywhere else.

HOD #3

“It had known and served all the men of whom the nation is proud, from Sir Francis Drake to Sir John Franklin, knights all, titled and untitled - the great knights-errant of the sea” (p. 2). The narrator dives into more detail concerning the importance of the Thames. According to MSN Encarta, Sir Francis Drake was one of the great explorers of the Elizabethan age and Sir John Franklin was a British officer and explorer of the Arctic. Both of these important men had traveled on the Thames, which may be why Conrad references them.
MSN Encarta. 17 Aug. 2009. http://uk.encarta.msn.com/