EXTRA-- Nancy Drew, Lookin For Clues

As the novel Mrs. Dalloway continues, I am curious to see how the use of symbols in Woolf's writing progresses (term paper topic, anyone?). I see reoccurring nouns popping up with possible significance here and there such as Elizabeth, Clarissa's narrow bed, and external objects drawing character's attention away from current events. Primarily, I am interested in Peter's knife as a symbol, and I am almost certain that it signalizes something important. He whips it out when he is thinking about or talking to women (readers note I have only read to page 83 so far), and also when he is nervous or getting worked up about something. I read somewhere online that the pocket-knife is a sexual symbol that signifies his dominance over women. I am wary of this theory. While it's true that Woolf was a more feminist writer, and her perspectives on men can no doubt be one of dominance and chauvinism, I am not yet entirely convinced that this was her intent with Peter's pocket knife. Often, actors will develop a "character tick," something that makes their character more distinguishable and recognizable. A tug on one braid when thinking, stamping feet when frustrated, or twirling their fingers when standing idle. I think that in part, the knife serves as a character tick for Peter; it is an object unique to him. Also, perhaps he wields the knife because he subconsciously feels the need for protection. He is intimidated by Clarissa, both out of love and due to her mysterious ability to hold power over people. On page 59 he remarks on her ability to "frighten people." He notes that "every one wobbled; every one seemed to bow, as she spoke, and then to stand up different." Somehow, our dear Mrs. Dalloway (or was it only Ms. Clarissa...?) seems to have an alluring, aloof, powerful quality about her. Peter is obviously taken aback by this, and captivated by her. For independent, adventurous Peter, who enjoys giving the impression of falling in love at his own accord, this will just not do. And so perhaps he uses the knife for safety against her, that is after all, what knives are for.During his first interaction with Clarissa, Peter keeps the knife close to his body, and plays with it idly, without thinking. It is during this first interaction that he is again stunned by her, and realizes that the young girl from India he claims to be in love with "would look ordinary next to Clarissa (43)." His knife cannot protect him from realizing he is still, after all these years, in love with Clarissa, nor can it protect him from his emotional breakdown. From this point on in the novel --or at least from here to page 83-- he seems to use the knife in more violent motions.
For instance, on page 80 he actually goes so far as to hold the knife out from his body, as if he is brandishing it at a foe. "It was jealousy that was at the bottom of it- jealousy which survives every other passion of mankind, Peter Walsh thought, holding his pocket knife at arm's length." Peter then goes on to muse over a letter from his lover Daisy in which she mentioned a Major Orde in a girlish attempt to make him jealous. "He was furious!" What bothers him most is seeing Clarissa so calm and collected, and independent of him. He shuts his pocket knife then, thinking that women "don't know what passion is." Could it be true that Peter's knife symbolizes his desire to be above women, and so he angrily brings it out when he feels threatened by their power over him, power to incite jealousy or love?Another object of Mrs. Dalloway that is sure to prove symbolic as the novel continues is the clock tower Big Ben. I think that Big Ben's bell, which rings at each half hour, could symbolize a transition in reality, or back into reality. Big Ben, the guardian of London, brings its citizens out of their revelries back into the city limits of reality. On page 48 when Elizabeth interrupts the tense scene between Clarissa and Peter, for instance, Big Ben "[strikes] out between them with extraordinary vigor, is if a young man, strong, indifferent, inconsiderate, were swinging dumb-bells this way and that." This is a very accurate and poetic description of Big Ben for this novel. Big Ben stands tall, and strong, very much like a proud young man. He looks over his city, disinterested. His only job is to strike out the time for the people of London. Big Ben cares neither for their afflictions nor their problems; he stands only to tell the time. Inconsiderately, he cries out the time, harshly breaking the conscious of his city's citizens.
I also believe that Regent's Park hold special significance. Briefly, I amused myself by inwardly comparing Regent's Park to the fairy land in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." In the fairy woods, the Athenian people all come together, each with their own problems. It is there that they ponder their predicaments (Rezia and Septimus thinking), sleep them off (Peter), are befuddled and confused (Septimus) and inexplicably drawn together. However, like I said, this literary parallel was not thought out, or dwelled on, because it was only a brief, passing whim of a correlation. However, I do believe it is true that, like the fairy-filled woods of "Midsummer," Regent's park holds great symbolism in this story.
I realize that my examination of symbolism in Mrs. Dalloway was brief, and filled almost entirely with speculation, however it is still (for me) rather early in the novel to make any sound conclusions, and a full analysis would take too long for my humble little blog.