Interpretations+of+Chapter+1

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During the first few pages of the novel, I was slightly confused on what exactly Woolf was trying to introduce. However, I now see that much of the first chapter suggests that Woolf is creating a theme of loss. This loss could be that of actual people or of innocence. For example, Betty Flanders is a widow whose tragic loss is illustrated by Woolf with a vivid description of her tears: Tears made all the dahlias in her garden undulate in red waves and flashed the glass house in her eyes. As she writes, tears fall on her paper creating a visual image of her loss. Further, Jacob sees the couple on the beach and becomes disoriented. All the sudden the beach becomes similar to a nightmare which ends in him finding a skull. The discovery of the skull could symbolize the loss of innocence because children are usually carefree and do not understand death which is what I think the skull represents. Any other ideas?


 * KSm, don't forget to use four tildes after your post ... Good job with creating thelink on your own page, but you forgot to also create a link on the Jacob's Room forum page. Confusing, I know, but you'll get the hang of it.**1199798669

I agree with you, KSm that there is a definite theme of loss in the first chapter. I was suprised that the skull that Jacob found was such a big deal. I realize that it can represent death, but why did Mrs. Flanders react so negatively to him. She called him a "naughty boy" but really, he was just being curious. Mrs. Flander's tears seemed to make her remember something from her past, something that obviously is causing her misery. But I'm unsure as to what she is suffering. Any ideas?? I'm not so sure that Jacob is losing innocence. Do we know what his age is? I vaguely remember reading his age, but now I can't remember what it is now. I think that would be helpful in interpreting the theme. 1199817874

I, too, am not so sure that Jacob is losing his innocence. Like Kaitlyn said, I think he is rather young. His experience on the beach might have been frightening, but he was still fasinated with the skull. I dont think he associated so much negativity with it (like his mother did) becasue he lugged it all the way home. Also, when he had trouble getting to sleep that night, his mother encouraged him to think of faries and other imaginary things. If he really was losing his innocence, this technique of getting him to go to sleep would not have worked so well. 1199818579

One of the only things I noticed in this chapter was the idea of loss and leaving. Woolf seemed all over the place and I was confused with the characters and plot. However, twice on the first page Betty Flanders wrote, "there was nothing for it but to leave." It also said she was a widow, so I immediately thought about being alone.

Another example of loss I noticed was simply that Jacob was lost when he found the skull and Mrs. Flanders was looking for him. I am not sure about the loss of Jacob's innocence. It makes sense that the skull represents death, but why would that mean he is now losing his innocence. Also, what was the importance of the sheep's jaw. It may not mean much, but I feel like it they specifically mentioned the sheep's jaw or how it was missing. 1199821801

I definently think that the finding of the skull is a representation of the little boy finding out what is wrong with the world or his loss of innocence. His first encounter on the beach of the couple could be either his seeing two people who have committed suicide or drowned. This is supported by the fact that the gulls flew towards the bodies and werent scared away and how the body's heads where described as large as if water logged and red which could mean over exposure to the sun. Plus the fact that the two people just simply stare at him and show no reaction could mean that they are unable due to an early demise, or these people could just be a figment of an imagination as was the rock he thought was his nanna. However if we take the first interpretation we can see how at first he runs away nonchalant but then he realizes the enormity of what he has left behind and he begins to run. He tries to find shelter but that is all an illusion and all he is left with is is to realize the harsh realities of life. The reason the mother hates the skull so much is becuase it represents the things that are bad in this world and his fasination with it worries her greatly. 1199824264

I will admit that I was a bit puzzled by the way Woolf chose to open this novel, but I'm sure that it will all make more sense as we read on and the novel comes together. One of the things that definitely struck me, and confused me as well, as I was reading was Mrs. Flander's character, which a few of you have already discussed. A quote that particularly struck me was, ". . . Mrs. Flanders hurried up the steep lane, aware all the time in the depths of her mind of some buried discomfort." There is something that we obviously have not been informed of yet about Mrs. Flanders. We have established that she is depressed, and I'm wondering what exactly her loss is. Do we even know for sure? Considering the fact that she is a widow, I'm just going to go with her mourning the loss of her deceased husband. That brings me to another thought. Who is this Captain Barfoot that she writes to? Could it possibly be her husband? Is this her way of saying goodbye to him, because the sea took him, right? I mean, that would explain the tears, but I may be completely wrong here. Any other thoughts? 1199824395

I also agree with kec-c. I see how the skull symbolizes that Jacob is losing his innocence. I see that the skull represents death and even loss, but I don't see how the way that Jacob reacts to finding the skull suggests that he is losing his innocence. If he understood that the skull was a symbol of death would he still have picked it up and carried it with him? I would think that he would not be so curious about it if he was losing his childhood innocence. Maybe it is the beginning of a loss on innocence, but I don’t think that he understands everything that he has encountered. Mrs. Flanders on the other hand reacts very strongly to seeing the skull. She calls it “something horrid.” She wants to be rid of it as soon as possible. Jacob on the other hand wants to hold on to it. Why is he so attached to it? Is it just curiosity? 1199825131

I agree that loss is a prominent theme in the first chapter. The loss of Mrs. Flander's husband has already been mentioned. But not only is there loss, but fear of loss. Remember, if you will, the time when Jacob was playing in the shallows and his mom and brother did not remember where he was. They frantically search for him, and eventually find him. Clearly, they do not want to lose someone else that is close to their hearts. Loss of peace is also an aspect of the theme. The peace of the beach is shattered by the storm, and the peace of Mrs. Flanders' mind is destroyed when she writes her letters to the captain. I do not, however, think that Jacob is losing his innocence, not yet. I think that the skull episode merely indicates childish, innocent curiosity. Eventually, however, his childish innocence will be lost as he matures.1199846322

I think that the theme is more than just loss, it is blunt and straightforward realism. We experience loss and sadness everyday, but many writers try to put a positive spin on life to make us feel good about ourselves. However, Woolf seems to emphasize the feeling of loss and sadness that we feel throughout our lives. I think that Mrs. Flanders has a greater degree of loss and fear than most people because she has already lost someone extremely close to her: her husband. I think that his death put life into perspective for her and she now realizes that she must cherish the time she has on earth because it will not last forever. Because she has this knowledge, she wants to be sure to protect all that is valuable to her. I think that this is the reason that she wanted to protect her son so closely: she wants him to live the best life possible for as long as he is able.1199881801

//This page was last revised by BGa-c on January 8, 2008.//