tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026144948314414720.post4283286698086150505..comments2015-12-18T07:08:03.936-08:00Comments on Books and Banters: First Thoughts On Wide Sargasso SeaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123479578334642436noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026144948314414720.post-83670717453287839412015-11-17T20:28:26.122-08:002015-11-17T20:28:26.122-08:00I'm of the view that there isn't a wasted ...I'm of the view that there isn't a wasted word in this novel--every detail serves a role, and like Woolf, it's maybe not always easy to see that role on a first reading. In terms of traditional plot, part 1 is pretty fragmentary, and you're right that Rhys doesn't develop or pursue Antoinette's friendship with Tia at any length, for example. But within the context of the whole novel, this conflict, as well as the strong sense of identification Antoinette feels for Tia, and the way she understands her mother is "ashamed" of her when she comes home wearing Tia's dirty dress, all work together to establish key aspects of Antoinette's particular kind of alienation. When Tia reappears at the very end, in Antoinette's "dream," it's clear how important her role is, even if she only appears on 2 or 3 pages.Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17745167749128309461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026144948314414720.post-15835338774914440552015-11-14T16:11:50.205-08:002015-11-14T16:11:50.205-08:00I definitely see these relationships too, but I fe...I definitely see these relationships too, but I feel that there are also some differences that stem from the time frame of each book. Because Mrs. Dalloway was set in just one day as opposed to the long time frame of Wide Sargasso Sea, the way the book flows is changed.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14259801423784721795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026144948314414720.post-40412010859321256622015-11-12T22:31:47.045-08:002015-11-12T22:31:47.045-08:00We can observe a lot of the differences between th...We can observe a lot of the differences between the two books as well. While the both do switch perspectives fairly often, the manner in which they switch adds different effects to the book. In Mrs. Dalloway, Woolf constantly switches between a multitude of characters, even those who are inconsequential bystanders that don't affect the plot. In Wide Sargasso Sea however, Rhys switches between only 2 characters. Switching between the two main characters, rather than a number of random ones, adds to the tension between Antoinette and Rochester and further complicates the relationship. We extensively get to listen in on the thoughts of both characters, the question becomes which one we lean towards.Mehulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11107662521349918009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026144948314414720.post-78518892065643601072015-11-12T11:02:10.735-08:002015-11-12T11:02:10.735-08:00I can see some of the similarities between Woolf a...I can see some of the similarities between Woolf and Rhys, but I think most of Woolf's jumping time was on flashbacks, whereas with Rhys, the character is growing up, and that is why the time is confusingAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09158232011220136068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026144948314414720.post-59836718570170762772015-11-11T17:37:05.097-08:002015-11-11T17:37:05.097-08:00I believe that your comparison of Mrs. Dalloway an...I believe that your comparison of Mrs. Dalloway and Wide Sargasso Sea is an interesting one, especially in the context of perspective shifts. I too noticed the seamless transitions between Antoinette and Rochester in the second half. I actually just published a blog post about the changing perspectives in this novel, but sadly I neglected to make this comparison. Sam Hotchkisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598509195716321546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026144948314414720.post-33780267749395752632015-11-11T08:53:03.348-08:002015-11-11T08:53:03.348-08:00I think the two are very similar especially with t...I think the two are very similar especially with the constant change in point of view. They switch characters without warning and expect you to realize who is talking. Similarly, they both tend to put a lot of emphasis on the symbolism behind certain objects or the actions of other characters (e.g. Miss Kilman and Tia). These similarities may possibly explain why I have a hard time understanding Wide Sargasso Sea. When I read Mrs. Dalloway, I struggled with understanding what she was trying to say and as a result, I grew to dislike the book. Unfortunately, I'm finding that I'm having a similar experience with Wide Sargasso Sea. Hopefully, I will be able to get past the writing style and enjoy the story but it may take some more time.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12320046345575528021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026144948314414720.post-90612616202571099852015-11-10T17:41:20.414-08:002015-11-10T17:41:20.414-08:00Comparing Mrs. Dalloway and Wide Sargasso sea is a...Comparing Mrs. Dalloway and Wide Sargasso sea is an interesting concept. I hadnt seen the connection untill I read this post. That being said I can somewhat see the connection particularly how they do both introduce characters that may have a major significance in the story never to be seen again. Also, in both books the main characters seem to have very complex pasts that everyone around them does not seem to understand, and we as readers have to piece together the puzzle step by step.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11538233892357314052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026144948314414720.post-50808528378508864592015-11-10T13:42:56.916-08:002015-11-10T13:42:56.916-08:00Your comparison between "Mrs. Dalloway" ...Your comparison between "Mrs. Dalloway" and "Wide Sargasso Sea" is very interesting. Although they do share some similarities, I see Woolf's writing style as a bit more jumpy than Rhy's. One similarity that has struck me is the way both books can portray the concept of not everything beeing as it seems. Clarissa is a seemingly totally different character on the inside than she is on the outside. This is the same with Antoinette. In the first part, I sympathized with Antoinette because I was in the perspective of her character and I could see the pain she's gone through her whole life. But, in the second part, I find myself disliking Antoinette because of how she can come off to others. I have a feeling that if we were given Richard's or Peter's perspective in "Mrs. Dalloway" I wouldn't like Clarissa as much as I did.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01269891378341706247noreply@blogger.com