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“Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.” -Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf“Sally, I think I’ll buy the flowers myself.” -The Hours by Michael Cunningham“...she always had the feeling that it was very, very, dangerous to live even one day.” -Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf“A woman's whole life in a single day. Just one day. And in that day her whole life.” -The Hours by Michael CunninghamIn a 2005 interview with USA Today*, Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours, said, “I actually started The Hours with a relatively simple idea, which was to place Clarissa Dalloway in the world today, where women have more freedom than she had, and see what her life would be like.” For Cunningham, this idea “wasn’t enough” to sustain the entirety of a novel (he would add two story lines to flesh out his novel) but it is an especially fruitful exercise for students examining the intersections between psychology and literature. What’s profound about Woolf’s writing is the way she expresses the multitudes contained in our inner lives and juxtaposes them with the cold determinism of the outside world. She does not simply reveal the characters’ inner thoughts, but delves into the depths of those thoughts -- the characters are constantly working out difficult philosophical questions -- while simultaneously navigating the elements of concrete empirical reality that grounds our everyday experiences (clock chimes, traffic, etc.). In this creative assessment, you will write an updated version of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, using Woolf’s stylistic elements (i.e., stream of consciousness, shifting perspectives and voice etc.) while following the same general plot-line. You will rewrite one scene from the novel by setting it in modern-day New York City instead of London.Elements to Consider:Character: Like Clarissa Dalloway, the character you create will be preoccupied with preparations for a party he or she will be hosting or attending. Also, like Clarissa Dalloway, the character you create will be filled with moments of emotional turmoil related to a conflict or fear he or she is experiencing. Your version of Clarissa need not be middle-aged. This character could be someone your own age. Internal Narrative: Like Woolf, you will discuss your character’s thoughts and actions, while teasing out a deeper meaning from the everyday. What are the sublime, eternal, life-affirming (or life-obliterating) thoughts that your character considers through the course of a day? Who or what does she see in the world that sends her into these depths? You may choose to create other characters depending on the scene you choose to rewrite. If doing so, in addition to internal monologue, you may wish to include dialogue. Setting: Although a large part of the story will take place inside the character’s head, you should ground the story in modern-day New York City. Instead of Big Ben, what NYC landmark might be the keeper of time? Instead of Regent’s Park, perhaps you can reference one of the many parks we have. Woolf’s descriptions of London are so specific that there are walking tours one can take today that follow her exact path. Be sure to carefully consider your character’s movement in your scene. Consult a map for accurate street names and locations.Action and symbol: Pick an action that symbolizes your character’s identity and concerns. For example, instead of Mrs. Dalloway mending her dress for her party, what might your character be doing in preparation of the party? Why?While you should carefully read and analyze the passage you choose to update for this assignment, I do not want you to cut and paste Woolf’s text, making a few changes to make it more modern. I want you to fully re-imagine the text, approaching the scene from a fresh perspective. The key to this assignment is the depth of the inner monologue. The image of Rodin’s The Thinker, sitting and pondering life’s great mysteries, is a bit idealized, and on some level, artificial. These types of revelations often occur at random times, through the course of an ordinary day. What eternal truths emerge through the course of your character’s day? What are the mundane occasions and sights and sounds that serve as platforms and triggers for these thoughts? That said, do not try to do too much. Focus on one or two things and really delve into them. Length: Three pages. Font: 12-point Times New Roman. Stuyvesant English Department rubric applies. Due Dates:First Draft: March 12, Friday or March 15 Monday. The Writing Center is also a great resource for revisions.Final Draft: March 22, Monday or 23, Tuesday on by class time. *Fowler, Brad. "USA TODAY Book Club: Michael Cunningham." USA TODAY. 21 Jan. 2005. Web. many thanks to Ms. Manning, Mr. Henderson and Mr. Kim for this assignment ................
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