1. “ Civilization in Bloomsbury: Woolf ’ s Mrs. Dalloway and Bell ’ s ‘ Theory of Civilization ’” By Brian W. Shaffer Journal of Modern Literature 19.1 (Summer 1994): 73-87. Presented by Carol Chi

2. What is Bloomsbury Group? “ This name is given to the literary group that made the Bloomsbury area of London the center of its activities from 1904 to World War II. It included Lytton Strachey, Virginia Woolf, Leonard Woolf, E. M. Forster, Vita Sackville-West, Roger Fry, Clive Bell, and John Maynard Keynes... Its members were committed to a rejection of what they felt were the strictures and taboos of Victorianism on religious, artistic, social, and sexual matters. ” (quoted from encyclopedia.com) “ This name is given to the literary group that made the Bloomsbury area of London the center of its activities from 1904 to World War II. It included Lytton Strachey, Virginia Woolf, Leonard Woolf, E. M. Forster, Vita Sackville-West, Roger Fry, Clive Bell, and John Maynard Keynes... Its members were committed to a rejection of what they felt were the strictures and taboos of Victorianism on religious, artistic, social, and sexual matters. ” (quoted from encyclopedia.com) http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/B/Bloomsbury.asp http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/B/Bloomsbury.asp http://therem.net/bloom.htm http://therem.net/bloom.htm

3. Main Argument Shaffer aims to present how Virginia Woolf in Mrs. Dalloway appropriates and rejects Bell ’ s “ theory of civilization ” discussed in On British Freedom and Civilization respectively. (Shaffer 74 ) Shaffer aims to present how Virginia Woolf in Mrs. Dalloway appropriates and rejects Bell ’ s “ theory of civilization ” discussed in On British Freedom and Civilization respectively. (Shaffer 74 )

4. Significant Points 1. They perceived that the postwar British society was encountering some threats which interfered personal liberty. 2. Virginia Woolf did not agree with Bell ’ s definition of class classification in civilized society. 3. Virginia Woolf dealt with Bell-like characters in her novels.

5. On British Freedom Mrs. Dalloway corresponds to Bell ’ s view that England is “ enslaved ” by various “ enemies of liberty. ” (Shaffer 78) Mrs. Dalloway corresponds to Bell ’ s view that England is “ enslaved ” by various “ enemies of liberty. ” (Shaffer 78) A. doctors: Dr. Holmes and Bradshaw (Shaffer 79-80) Septimus A. doctors: Dr. Holmes and Bradshaw (Shaffer 79-80) Septimus B. religious moralist: Miss Doris Kilman (a suggestive name) (Shaffer 80-81) B. religious moralist: Miss Doris Kilman (a suggestive name) (Shaffer 80-81) Elizabeth Elizabeth

6. Civilization Woolf is unable to accept Bell ’ s theory of civilization, which should be formed by “ an elite, leisure class, supported by a ‘ slave ’ or service class. ” (Shaffer 81-82) Woolf is unable to accept Bell ’ s theory of civilization, which should be formed by “ an elite, leisure class, supported by a ‘ slave ’ or service class. ” (Shaffer 81-82) In Mrs. Dalloway, Woolf negatively responds to Bell ’ s insistence on social inequality. In Mrs. Dalloway, Woolf negatively responds to Bell ’ s insistence on social inequality. Ex. Lady Bruton (Shaffer 84-85) Ex. Lady Bruton (Shaffer 84-85)

7. Bell-like Characters Jacob Flanders in Jacob ’ s Room Jacob Flanders in Jacob ’ s Room Peter Walsh most resembles Bell. (Pride in British civilization) (Shaffer 86 ) Peter Walsh most resembles Bell. (Pride in British civilization) (Shaffer 86 ) Mr. Ramsay ’ s pseudo-philosophical thinking in To the Lighthouse is a parody of Bell ’ s two attributes of all civilizations – “ A Sense of Values [a quality] and Reason Enthroned [a mental capacity]. ” (Shaffer 86 ) Mr. Ramsay ’ s pseudo-philosophical thinking in To the Lighthouse is a parody of Bell ’ s two attributes of all civilizations – “ A Sense of Values [a quality] and Reason Enthroned [a mental capacity]. ” (Shaffer 86 )