Ross' Blog (by Luke)

In Mrs. Dalloway , the past and present play equally important roles in shaping the plot. Past events, portrayed through the lens of memories from various characters, serve as vital context which allows for deeper understanding of obscure facets of characters’ personalities. Every passage of the novel can be sorted into one of two categories: narration of an important character’s current actions or exploration of their memories. Clarissa Dalloway, being the protagonist, is the character whose past is displayed most thoroughly. As readers become privy to more and more of her thoughts, it becomes increasingly difficult to decipher her attitude towards her past and present state of being. Her opinion on one memory will seem to indicate deep regret of a decision, while in the next instant a different thought will suggest the complete opposite. Such ambivalence paints a complex portrait of Clarissa, making it challenging to categorize her overall view of the past as reminiscent or regretf...

Though unique in many respects, The Mezzanine is defined by two common literary devices – relatability and defamiliarization. The omnipresence of these two conventions transforms an otherwise incoherent document of ramblings into a work of thought evoking art. In isolation, these two conventions seem ordinary – both are implemented to retain reader attention and facilitate plot pacing. However, the simultaneous use of these two devices seems objectively counterproductive. In theory, the concepts of relatability and defamiliarization, being inherently opposed, should detract from each other rather than complementing one another. On one hand, relatability immerses readers into a work of literature by strengthening their bond with the relatable character. In the case of The Mezzanine , relatability is inseparable from humor – often accompanying Howie’s accounts of unremarkable actions that all readers have experienced. Conversely, defamiliarization deals with abstraction, creating enga...