Epigraph

In the brief excerpt provided, the focus is on the emotional experience of a character who expresses feelings of despair and distress, stating, “It was awful, he cried, awful, awful!” This lamentation reflects a deep sense of anguish, suggesting that something profoundly troubling has occurred. Despite this overarching negativity, there is an underlying recognition of life’s continuity, emphasized by the phrases, “Still, the sun was hot,” and “Still, one got over things.” These lines convey a sense of resilience and acceptance, indicating that, even in the face of adversity, life persists and offers moments of normalcy.

The character seems to struggle with reconciling their feelings of despair with the reality that life continues to unfold—”life had a way of adding day to day.” This juxtaposition of feelings hints at a broader theme of coping with suffering, the passage of time, and the human capacity for recovery from distress.

The epigraph, attributed to Virginia Woolf, specifically “MRS. DALLOWAY,” encapsulates the tension between emotional turmoil and the persistence of everyday life. Woolf’s work often delves into the complexities of human emotion and the relentless flow of time, making this excerpt a poignant reflection of her exploration of those themes. The text’s structure, with its short sentences and repetitive use of “still,” enhances the impact of the emotional weight carried throughout the excerpt.

In summary, the passage succinctly expresses a tumultuous emotional state while simultaneously acknowledging the inevitability of life’s progression. The duality of despair and resilience is poignantly portrayed, encapsulating the essence of Woolf’s literary exploration of the human experience.