Katie Murphy 

 
INDEPENDENT READING ASSIGNMENT--MWDS 
Master Words Data Sheet 1/2019 
207 pts. 
 
ASSIGNMENT EXPLANATION: 
Each Quarter you will choose and read a work, independent of classroom readings, 
as you continue to develop your reading abilities, strategies, and appreciation. In 
the spirit of the assignment, these should all be texts you have not previously 
encountered. Your goal is to expand and deepen your reading experiences and 
repertoire. Additionally, these assignments will serve as Test Preparation tools at 
the end of the year to help prepare you for the AP Lit. Exam “Open Response” Essay 
Question which expects you to read widely from a variety of texts, genres, and 
historical periods. Most importantly, this independent reading work supplements 
our Course Curriculum.   
● Quarter 1: Summer Reading Novel Selection (see Pre-Requisite Reading list) 
● Quarter 2: AP Worthy Novel Selection (student choice/teacher approval) 
● Quarter 3: Representative Text from MG Period (student-teacher discussion) 
● Quarter 4: ​Heart of Darkness​ (cumulative unit assignment) 
 
INSTRUCTIONS: 
● Work through the following template (type directly into the document) 
addressing each requested section completely with academic integrity and 
intent. Attribute all outside information, ideas, and language you 
incorporate. 
● Find, read/annotate, and attach an academic article concerning the work. 
“Academic” implies that the audience is not casual, but scholarly; it implies 
substance in terms of quality of language, thought, and length; and it implies 
that is comes from a reputable source/site. 
● Create a Bibliography for all sources you consult. Use MLA for all 
attribution. 
 
N.B.   
The only sections of the Independent Reading Assignment that you should complete 
with the assistance of outside sources, beside the text itself, are the Publication 
Date, Literary Period/Historical Context section, the Biographical Information 
about the Author section, and the academic article. All other sections must be the 
product of your own thinking and articulation (YOUR OWN WORDS!) based on the 
text. You must include a Bibliography in MLA format to cite the information that 
you use or refer to. 
 
The unattributed use of another’s work—peers, Gradesaver/Cheat Sites, 
Cliff’s/Spark Notes/etc., or any other method of obtaining someone else’s 
work, qualifies as academic dishonesty. Refer to our School Policy for 
 disciplinary consequences of cheating. Please understand that academic 
cheating/plagiarism not only breaks a rule, but also a ​law​. 
Title: Mrs. Dalloway  
Author: ​Virginia Woolf 
Pub. Date: ​May 14, 1925 
Genre: ​Drama, Novel, Historical Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Adventure Fiction, 
Domestic Fiction  
(3pts) 
 
 
​BASIC INFORMATION (15pts): 
 
 
Biographical information about author: ​Virginia Woolf, originally named Adeline Virginia 
Stephen, was born in 1882. She lived a life suffering from depression which started at the age of 
thirteen from her mother passing away. Through it all, she wrote diary entries, articles for 
newspapers, and many others. Woolf lost her battle with depression in 1941, killing herself and 
leaving a suicide note for her husband. In the note, she said she didn’t want to keep holding him 
back. She placed rockets in her pockets and drowned herself in a river. 
 
Literary period/historical context of the work:​ This work is from the British Modern Period 
which lasted from 1901-1964. This period focused on the individual and for Virginia Woolf, stream of 
consciousness. She was one of frontrunners in experimenting with new techniques in her writings. 
 
Plot summary: ​The book takes place in London where a lady by the name of Mrs. Dalloway is living 
and planning a party. Throughout the day she runs errands for the party but also finds herself 
reliving her memories. Other characters are also doing the same, reliving their past all in the time of 
one day.  
 
 
​CHARACTERS (15pts): 3-5 minimum—as is appropriate to text 
 
NAMES  ROLE/SIGNIFICANCE  DESCRIPTION 
  The main character.  A middle aged woman who has a 
  surplus of money, a complicated 
  love life, and loves to throw 
Clarissa Dalloway  parties. Mrs. Dalloway married 
  Richard Dalloway at a young age. 
  She had other suitors, Peter 
  Walsh being one of them. Mrs. 
Dalloway has a daughter named 
Elizabeth Dalloway who doesn’t 
like parties. She makes note of 
this several times. Mrs. Dalloway 
 views herself very highly. As 
people tended to describe her as 
“snobbish”. 
 
  World War I Veteran  Septimus was a World War I 
  veteran who is suffering from 
Septimus Warren  PTSD. He was married to a young 
Smith  Italian woman named Lucrezia. 
  He sees several doctors who have 
  to yet warranted PTSD as a real 
  issue but essentially telling him 
  that there is nothing wrong. 
Septimus grows to have a 
distrust for doctors leading him 
to kill himself jumping out a 
window to escape one. 
  Mrs. Dalloway past suitor.  Peter Walsh used to, or still is but 
  denies it, be in love with Clarissa 
  Dalloway. They spent much time 
Peter Walsh  together and were thought to be 
  married until Clarissa came 
  across Richard Dalloway. Peter, 
  in his heartbreak, moved to 
India. In the book, Peter has just 
returned after many years 
passed. He has returned saying 
he has found a new, married 
woman he loves and is trying to 
obtain a divorce for her so that 
he can be with her. Seeing Mrs. 
Dalloway only made him realize 
he still loved her.  
  Mrs. Dalloway’s friend  Sally is a friend from Mrs. 
  Dalloway and Peter Walsh’s 
Sally Seton  youth. As a teenager, Sally was 
  rambunctious. She was one that 
  nobody expected to marry 
  wealthy especially due to her 
  behavior. To complicate things 
even more, as a teenager, 
Clarissa and Sally were sexually 
attracted to each other. 
Eventually, Sally married a man 
and now has five sons who she 
mentions often. 
  Mrs. Dalloway’s husband  Richard is a miners son. His 
  wealth is that of his own earning. 
Richard Dalloway  He managed to work his way into 
  the Parliament but hasn't 
  progressed past the Conservative 
  government. He has tried for 
  Cabinet but has not succeeded. 
Richard also loves dogs and his 
daughter very much. He fancies 
the outdoors more than his wife’s 
parties but supports her 
nonetheless as the devoted 
husband and father that he is. 
 
 
 
 
 
​SETTING(S) (15pts): as is appropriate to text 
 
SETTING #1 
The Dalloway Estate 
Description/Significance: This is where a good portion of the book takes place. Most of 
the characters find themselves here at some point in time. This is where Clarissa, 
Richard, and Elizabeth live together. This is also the location of Clarissa’s party. The 
entire day is in preparation of the party. This also means that the staff that works at 
the Dalloway’s has been cleaning the house and setting out decorations. These 
decorations Clarissa notes many times in passing. She sees some flowers or pillows 
that seem to catch her eye. This is also where Peter comes to find her after 5 years 
apart. 
 
 
SETTING #2 
June 1923 
Description/Significance: I know this is outside of the typical setting that I am to 
produce but it is very important to note this date. This date is following the war that 
hurt a lot of individuals. Proper treatment still had been put in place particularly for 
those who are facing long term psychological illnesses. Also, because it is June, we 
know the weather will be nicer and more set for a party. The most important detail to 
note is that this means the book is set post world war. Actually, five years after the 
end. This was also the same year that Peter Walsh left or around that time seeing as 
they say he has been gone five years and five years prior to 1923 is 1918. 1918 was the 
year World War I ended. The relation of these dates must play a role in the 
characterization of the entire novel.  
 
 
 
SETTING #3 
The Fountain  
Description/Significance: The fountain is significant due to what happened there 5 
years ago. Peter sent a letter to Clarissa through Sally asking Clarissa to meet him at 
the fountain. Clarissa showed up and Peter proposed. He was afraid he was losing her 
to Richard. He was too late though as Clarissa rejected him. She told him that she was 
going marry Richard. Peter cried a bit before he moved to India and disappeared for 
five years. This setting changed a lot of the lives of our characters. Due to Clarissa’s 
marriage, Sally moved on. Peter moves to India. Clarissa became the woman that she 
is that loves parties and thinks how life could have gone differently. When she and 
Peter imagine such things, they remember the fountain.  
 
 
 
SETTING #4 
Septimus Warren Smith’s Living Quarters 
Description/Significance: Septimus spent a lot of time in his home and his bed as his 
health declined. His wife kept him there for his safety because when he went out he 
would see things or ramble on about things nobody else understood. This behavior was 
scary to her but to doctors didn’t mean much. They were still trying to understand 
shell shock. In a fit of frustration against these doctors, Septimus ended up jumping 
from his room and impaling himself on a metal fence. Hearing about this Suicide 
impacted Clarissa in multiple ways. Septimus and Clarissa were essentially paired 
together in this book without either ever realizing.  
 
​ YMBOLS/ARCHETYPES/MOTIFS (15pts): 3 minimum—as is 
S
appropriate to the text 
 
Symbol: Peter Walsh’s Pocket Knife 
 
Explanation:​ Fidgeting with his pocket watch shows nervousness or uncertainty that 
Peter has about himself. When he enters an uncomfortable situation that one may be 
able to see how he could feel awkward, he pulls out the knife where he then opens it 
and closes it repeatedly while simultaneously moving it around in his hands. A knife is 
a weapon so by pulling out this weapon, we can see Peter trying to counter whoever he 
is talking to. For instance, when Peter sees Clarissa for the first time in five years, she 
is holding a pair of scissors. As a result, Peter pulls out his knife and fidgets with it. He 
finds it comforting. It had been noted he wasn’t a very masculine man so the knife 
could be an extension of his insecurity.  
 
 
Symbol: Memories 
 
Explanation:​ Time in this situation goes by very slow. The entire 194 pages take place 
in a single day. But, we as readers don’t just read about one day but multiple. This 
happens because the characters have their own set of memories that are occasionally 
brought up by the events of the present. Seeing a reminder triggers the memory and 
lets us in to a much deeper understanding. These memories are to symbolically 
express how we as people move from one topic to the next. Here I am working on my 
Master Works Data Sheet only to find myself thinking about what I had for dinner 20 
seconds later. Our attention spans are dependent up our experiences. The memories 
expressed in the novel each show similar structure to the reality of life.  
 
 
Symbol: Shakespeare 
 
Explanation:​ Shakespeare is all over the novel. Septimus Warren Smith was obsessed 
what all writings of Shakespeare. He wanted to teach his illiterate wife how to read 
using Shakespeare (obviously impossible). Also, Shakespeare is quoted by Clarissa 
Dalloway a few times. She has a thought pop into mind and find herself quoting him. 
This Shakespeare connection is one of many they have. However Shakespeare is more 
than just a character connection. The usage of Shakespeare could also be a contrast of 
how things are in this time period compared to how they used to be. Victoria Woolf 
was a pioneer for the British Modern Period so it would make sense for her to idolize a 
Literature pioneer. He essentially made Literature the way it is today. The 
comparisons drawn just emphasize the changes it’s had to go through in order to 
adapt to its audience. As time is passing, Clarissa makes note of this often. Perhaps 
she’s sentimental about Shakespeare because it feels like it his work is immortal. Same 
for Septimus.  
 
 
Symbol: Flowers 
 
Explanation:​ Flowers appear multiple times in the text. The first time we see the 
mention of them is at the very beginning. Clarissa wants to buy some flowers before 
her party but she doesn’t want to ask her daughter to do it. Again, later we see Richard 
buy her flowers as an expression of his love to her. In the first case, the flowers bring 
Clarissa a lot of happiness. In the second, Richard never says “I love you” but Clarissa 
don’t need him to. She understood the sentiment. When Sally was younger, she cut the 
heads off flowers. Flowers are typically feminine. In cutting of their heads, Sally was 
acting defiantly as she often did. The flowers in different cases are silent expressions. 
It depends on what instance we review.  
 
 
 ​ HEMES/ISSUES/POINTS OF DISCUSSION (24pts): 3 
T
minimum  
 
Theme/Discussion  Theme/Discussion  Theme/Discussion 
     
Mortality/Time  Post-War Struggles  Class 
This book discusses the  We’ve slightly touched on  In the novel, we find 
implications of age  Septimus’ shell shock but  ourselves focused immensely 
tremendously. Each  haven’t looked at the big  on the upper class. Clarissa 
character is fixated on the  picture. After the war, many  married into a lot of money. 
idea of death. More  people were essentially  Money from her husband, 
particularly, Mrs.  broken. Septimus was one of  Richard, who was a miners 
Dalloway, Peter, and  them. He found himself unable  son. As a result, all the 
Septimus. Peter notes the  to carry on with normal  money he has is money he 
age that has grown visible  citizens because he kept  earned. Clarissa boasts 
on Clarissa. He says that  reliving the war. The doctors  about this often. Clarissa 
she really hasn’t aged  didn’t know how to treat him  even treats her staff very 
well. Recently, Clarissa  properly and only made his  well. She tries to do a lot of 
had a mental breakdown  condition worse. His wife  her own errands so that they 
furthering the assumption  couldn’t understand what was  aren’t asked to do so much. 
she hasn’t aged well. It is  the matter with him and did  Obviously, the staff would be 
also noted that Peter has  her best to support him but to  from the lower classes and 
aged better than  no avail. The life he lived in  she shows very little distaste 
expected. Despite this  the war had turned him into  for them. Mrs. Dalloway has 
observation, Peter  who he was. It was noted that  a special hatred for Mrs. 
worries very often about  he didn’t become a man until  Kilman. She has had to work 
if he’s lived his life to the  the war but after the war he  for rich folk her whole life 
fullest. He is worried that  was lost. His solution was  and has never been given a 
as he gets older that time  suicide. On some lighter notes  break. Clarissa resents her 
is not on his side and  of life after the war, Clarissa  for being so close to 
neither his luck. This is in  makes note of the fashion  Elizabeth. With these two 
regards to women.  change. She used to love  characters, we see a 
Septimus is told he needs  wearing high quality gloves  difference in class. The poor 
time to heal. However, as  but since the war they haven’t  and the rich feuding. In this 
time progresses, he  been the same. Such small  case, the poor resenting the 
appears to only grow  details such has this show the  rich for their luck and the 
worse in his condition.  impact the war had on the  rich resenting the poor for 
The idea of facing death  economy and the people in the  needing them. This is still a 
daily while he was in the  world. Life following the war  modern idea of the divide 
war took a drastic toll on  was a lot of searching for how  between the two classes. It’s 
him. As a result, he grows  to get their lives back on  almost as if they wish they 
suicidal and contemplates  track. So many people lost and  could live without the other.  
suicide in multiple  so many other indifferent   
instances.   other than their loss of   
  sensible fashion.    
  
 
 
 
 
 
​ TYLE/ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE (30pts): 3 
S
minimum—language to meaning 
 
Element of Style  Element of Style  Element of Style 
Example/Effect  Example/Effect  Example/Effect 
     
Stream of Consciousness  Parallel Structure Between  Passage of Time 
This style of writing  Characters  The passage of time is the 
focuses on how the people  Septimus was written to be  novel is unique. The entire 
think rather than what  sort of a parallel to Clarissa.  setting is placed in one day. 
they do. The narration is  They had much in common  This one day feels long 
third person omniscient  such as their love for  because each person has to 
and allows the audience  Shakespeare. Also, both think  have their thoughts detailed. 
to know essentially  of death in a very similar way.  This makes much of what we 
everything relevant. We  Clarissa is just not as vocal  read from the past rather 
jump back and forth  about it. Clarissa addresses  than the present. This makes 
between the present and  the idea of dying or even  the flow of the book harder 
memories. This allows  killing herself but doesn’t act.  to follow because the 
characters to grow and  Septimus is the same way for  sequence of events are not 
develop deeper but also to  awhile but he eventually  obvious. The book is 
show how human they  grows more vocal until he  separated into parts. It 
really are. This writing  eventually is driven to kill  doesn’t outright say “Part 1” 
style gives everything  himself. Clarissa had also  or “Part 2” but moves from 
running through the  recently had a mental  one person’s thoughts to 
person mind at a certain  breakdown so her exterior  another. The transition is 
instant. It can be very  appearance is not what  essentially a change of 
confusing as it will jump  everyone would assume it  pronouns. Each time we 
from one narrator right  would be.   change characters, we 
into the next. The  change time in day. We move 
transitions are completely  from Clarissa to Peter 
nonexistent in most cases.  several times but by the time 
Such writing strings the  we get back to Clarissa, 
reader along but makes  hours have passed. This 
them stay attentive. If  change of time is happens 
they don’t then they won’t  throughout the whole book. 
understand the writing.    
 
 ​ HREE QUINTESSENTIAL QUOTES & EXPLANATIONS 
T
(30pts):  
 
QUOTE/pp. #  EXPLANATION (100 words) 
“This late age of the world’s experience This quote grabs the realities of what was going on 
had bred in them all, all men and women, following World War I. Families were destroyed and 
a well of tears. Tears and sorrows; people were killed and lost. The whole part of London 
courage and endurance; a perfectly could feel it. This quote was after Clarissa went to 
upright and stoical bearing.” (pg 9)  buy flowers. She read a Shakespeare’s quote and felt 
  the need to say this quote in reply. She could see the 
  suffering people are going through because of the 
  war. The war caused a rise in depression and other 
  mental illnesses that were hard for doctors to 
  understand. The rise in illnesses that no one could 
  understand caused a lot of people to hide what was 
  going on.  
 
 
“She shut the door. At once he  Clarissa lives a life where she throws parties, buys 
became extremely depressed.   whatever she wants, and she chose who she married. 
It all seemed useless-going on  In her life, she still feels as if something is missing. 
being in love; going on  Her and Richard has communication issues. These 
quarrelling; going on making on  issues could frustrate Clarissa. Peter and Clarissa 
making it up, and he wandered off  could communicate well, perhaps too well. This also 
alone, among outhouses, stables,  led to them fighting. Her love life is frustrating to 
looking at the horses.” (pg 60)  her. Much of the book is her trying to deal with it. 
  Many of her problems stem from her feelings for 
  Peter and for Richard. She isn’t really sure how to 
  navigate her life because of her uncertainty in where 
  she lays. One thing she is certain about is her status 
  in society. But sometimes such a status means 
  nothing if you have nothing else.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
“She felt somehow very like him—the This quote captures the commonality between 
young man who had killed himself. She Clarissa and Septimus. Septimus was vocally suicidal 
felt glad that he had done it; thrown it and manic. He served to show how people with 
away. The clock was striking. The leaden mental illness were treated if they didn’t hide it. 
circles dissolved in the air. He made her Clarissa was more of the silent sufferer. She felt she 
feel the beauty; made her feel the fun. had hide her illness because people didn’t 
 But she must go back. She must understand it. As a woman, she was expected to fulfill 
assemble.” (pg 186) certain standards. These standards did not allow for 
her to express her mental illness. As a result, she 
carried on her duties, put on a poker face. She 
occasionally had her moments where she couldn’t 
just hide how she feels. People talked about her as if 
  it was a bad thing and it only made the problem 
  worse, much like Septimus. They’re each side of a 
  coin. The head, Septimus, shows you the crazy truth. 
  The tails, Clarissa, tries to stay a step ahead and not 
  let you know that she is actually suffering. 
 
 
 
 
 
​ACADEMIC ARTICLE (40pts): Attach annotated article. 
 
Title:  Mental Illness and Manic-Depressive Illness in Virginia 
  Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway  
 
Author:  Seyedeh Sara Ahou Ghalandari and Leila Baradaran Jamili 
 
Publication Date:  2004 
 
Publication Source:  Journal of Novel Applied Sciences  
 
Word/Page Count:  8 pages 
 
Abstract:  Virginia Woolf was known for having her own struggles with 
(Basic Summary)  mental illness. In ​Mrs. Dalloway​, there are multiple 
  characters that appear to struggle with similar problems. 
  This article draws connections between Woolf and her 
  fictional characters and tries to get the deeper root to her 
  physiological influence. The novel is reflective of Woolf’s 
  own being. Additionally, Septimus killed himself and 
  Virginia Woolf years later killed herself. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Argument/Stance:  Virginia Woolf suffered from depression and had suicidal 
(Angle, Point of  thoughts for the majority of her life. Her characters seem to 
Discussion)  reflect this as the authors seem to claim. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
​TEST PREPARATION (20pts):  
 
 
PROMPT/QUESTION (use Practice Exam Models): 
How does the author use stream of consciousness to develop her characters in the novel 
Mrs. Dalloway?​  
 
 
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH (200-word minimum; underline Thesis Statement):  
Virginia Woolf, author of ​Mrs. Dalloway​, utilizes the stream of consciousness technique in 
her novel to further the development of her characters. In doing so, the novel is written 
in third person omniscient. This allows us to see everyone in all aspects their lives while 
simultaneously knowing what they think. The fluidity of moving from one character to 
the next is one that allows us to be more intimate with the characters. We can understand 
why they like and dislike. We can see their thoughts and first impressions which offers us 
a vulnerable view of who the characters are at their core. Utilizing the stream of 
consciousness allows Virginia Woolf to expand her fictional world and express more 
complicated ideas to her readers. The characters begin to feel like real people as their 
accurately portrayed in the way that they carry themselves and the honesty of their 
thoughts. This honesty builds trust with whoever is narrating and the reader.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Assignment adapted from AP Summer Workshop 2014) 
 
Works Cited

Ghalandari, Seyedeh Sara Ahou, and Leila Baradaran Jamili. �Mental Illness and
Manic-Depressive Illness in Virginia Woolf Mrs. Dalloway. ​Journal of Novel Applied
Sciences ​.