Plot Outline of The Voyage Out , Chapters VI-XI


Updated July 14, 1997
Created July 14, 1997


Willoughby continues trip/Arrival in Santa Marina.

Chapter VI:   The Dalloways leave the ship (83). Helen is shocked at Rachel's ignorance of the "facts of life" and the nature of the Piccadilly women(86-7). Rachel explains that people who had been merely symbols to her had ceased to be symbols once they talked. "I could listen to them for ever!" (89)  Helen persuades Willoughby to let Rachel stay with her (92-3).

Chapter VII:   The group arrives in Santa Marina (94). Helen receives good news about her children back home. The narrator discusses the 17th century colonists' failure on the island (96-97). The Ambroses and Rachel move into the Villa San Gervasio (98). Mr. Pepper moves into the island hotel (102).

Chapter VIII:   After months on the island, Ridley complains that his work on the odes of Pindar is unrecognized (106). One night, Rachel and Helen walk to the island hotel and eavesdrop outside the windows. Helen recognizes Hughling Elliot, Terence Hewet, and Susan Warrington as they play cards.  Hirst is the person who catches the two eavesdropping (107-11). The ladies run back to the villa after they realize someone, unseen by the window, has heard them (112).

Chapter IX:   The hotel guests retire. The narrator observes them, room by room, one by one (113-14). At 1:00 a. m., St. John Hirst and Terence Hewet discuss women (116-19). Hewet proposes an outing so that guests can become acquainted (120). The next morning, the guests involve themselves in sundry activities (i. e., the English read The Times; Mr. Elliot goes for a walk with Terence and St. John; Mrs. Eliot and Mrs. Thornbury discuss maternity and miscarriages). At lunch, Mrs. Paley disapprovingly identifies an ostentatiously dressed woman. Later in the day, Mrs. Elliot sketches while other guests, joined by Mr. Ambrose, have tea and play cards (122-35).

Chapter X:  Rachel reads Ibsen (136). The proposed picnic takes place. Terence is depressed about man's inhumanity to man and contemplates how humans gather as cows "when we've nothing else to do. But why do we do it?--is it to prevent ourselves from seeing to the bottom of things?"(141)  He is lifted by the arrival of Helen and Rachel (142).

Chapter XI:   The guests divide into two groups after lunch (151). Arthur proposes marriage to Susan (154). Rachel and Terence are embarrassed by the couple's closeness (155). St. John and Terence join Rachel and Helen, and they get to know one another (159-61). The guests reassemble for tea. There are fireworks in the town that night (165). After all retire, Susan lies awake in her happiness (166).


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