Study Questions for The Waves
Heather Cross, Charlotte Teague, and Tama Carstensen
1. Woolf's first title for the novel was
The Moths. Why do you think she
changed it to The
Waves?
2. The chapters are divided by Interludes,
italicized sections relating to the time of day. Think about emotional and
physical energy at different times of day. How does the significance of time
shape the novel? Also consider the Episodes (the plot and characters) and
the overall rhythm of the novel (one, two, one, two).
3. Pay attention to the choice of tenses
throughout the book. What does Woolf convey with these
choices?
4. Percival comes into the picture in the
second chapter. What makes him the stabilizing influence in the others'
lives?
5. Several critics noted that The Waves is
about one person, but is shown through six different people (some suggest
that this person is Woolf). Do you agree? If so, how do the characters represent
one; how do they represent Woolf; how do they differ? For example:
6. Pay attention
to the senses that are invoked, noticed, and ignored at various times and
by various characters. How does this influence your impression of the character,
the setting, the time of day?
7. How is
The Waves an extension of the other
novels that we've read in class? |
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