Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Literature Lesson Plans - Sykalo Eugen 2024

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Subject: English Literature

Grade Level: 11-12 (due to complexity and stream-of-consciousness narrative)

Time Allotment: 4-6 weeks (depending on depth of study)

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will be able to analyze the stream-of-consciousness narrative style used in "Mrs. Dalloway" and its impact on character portrayal.
  • Students will be able to identify and interpret key literary devices used by Woolf, such as symbolism, imagery, and internal monologue.
  • Students will be able to analyze the characters' thoughts, motivations, and the societal pressures they face in post-war England.
  • Students will be able to evaluate the themes of memory, time, identity, and the search for meaning in life.
  • Students will be able to discuss the novel's contribution to modernist literature and its innovative narrative techniques.

Materials:

  • Copies of "Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf
  • Whiteboard/Projector
  • Markers/Pens
  • Chart paper or handout for note-taking
  • Family tree or chart to track characters (optional)

Lesson Procedures:

Week 1: Introduction and Modernism

  1. Brainstorming: Begin by asking students what they know about modernism as a literary movement. Elicit responses and discuss key characteristics (e.g., experimentation with form, focus on the individual's inner world, questioning of traditional values).
  2. Introduction to Woolf: Introduce Virginia Woolf as a prominent modernist writer and "Mrs. Dalloway" as a landmark novel of the movement. Briefly discuss the concept of stream-of-consciousness narration.

Weeks 2-3: Stream of Consciousness and Characters

  1. Reading and Analyzing: Divide the novel into manageable sections. After each section, students engage in close reading activities, focusing on the characters' internal monologues, memories, and interactions.
  2. Inner Worlds: Guide students to analyze the use of stream-of-consciousness narrative. How does Woolf portray the characters' thoughts, emotions, and memories in a fluid and non-linear way?
  3. Character Analysis: In small groups, students analyze specific characters (Clarissa Dalloway, Septimus Warren Smith, Peter Walsh). Consider their motivations, societal pressures, and the ways their past shapes their present. Create a family tree or chart to track relationships (optional).

Week 4: Time and Memory

  1. Literary Devices: Discuss Woolf's use of literary devices to enhance the stream-of-consciousness style. Analyze the use of imagery, symbolism, and internal monologue in specific passages.
  2. Time Consciousness: Explore the novel's innovative treatment of time. How does Woolf use multiple perspectives and flashbacks to create a sense of fragmented time and memory?

Week 5: Themes and Legacy

  1. Thematic Exploration: Analyze the central themes of the novel: memory, the passage of time, the search for meaning and identity, the impact of war trauma, and societal expectations.
  2. Mrs. Dalloway's Party: Discuss the significance of Mrs. Dalloway's party as a symbol and a microcosm of society.
  3. Modernist Masterpiece: Explore the novel's contribution to modernist literature. How does "Mrs. Dalloway" break away from traditional narrative structures and explore the complexities of human consciousness?

Optional Week (if time permits):

  1. Creative Response: Students can choose a creative response activity, such as writing a stream-of-consciousness piece from a character's perspective, creating a visual representation of a key scene, or composing a poem exploring themes of memory or time.
  2. Essay Writing: Students write an essay analyzing a specific theme or literary device used in the novel and its significance. The essay should consider stream-of-consciousness narration, character development, and the historical context to support their analysis.

Differentiation:

  • Provide pre-reading activities, chapter summaries, or audio recordings of the novel for struggling readers.
  • Offer extension activities for advanced readers, such as researching the impact of World War I on society or comparing "Mrs. Dalloway" with other modernist novels.
  • Modify assignments to cater to different learning styles (e.g., auditory learners can create a podcast episode exploring a character's inner monologue)

Assessment:

  • Participation in class discussions and group activities
  • Quality of notes, presentations, and creative responses (if applicable)
  • Analysis of stream-of-consciousness techniques and literary devices
  • Essay writing (if applicable)

Extension Activities:

  • Students can research the life and works of Virginia Woolf and explore other modernist writers.