Discussion Question 12 **SPOILERS**

12. Why does Woolf end the novel with Clarissa as seen through Peter's eyes? Why does he experience feelings of "terror," "ecstasy," and "extraordinary excitement" in her presence? What is the significance of those feelings, and do we as readers share with them?

I have to say that those ending lines made me sigh. What I wouldn't give for there to be someone who would feel that way about me! I think that Peter's feelings go back to the discussion of "the one that got away." There is that halo effect, and perhaps the "terror" comes from concern that she might actually act on her feelings. It's an old story, that of the woman who abandons her safe life to take off with her fantasy-man, only to find that he really doesn't want her now that she's free (and vice versa, to avoid accusations of sexism).

Well said tloeffler! The emotions going through Peter's at that moment would be in conflict with one another, as Woolf has descriptively stated.

I think that Ms. Woolf knew that we needed to see her through the eyes of all the others and if told from Clarissa's point of view, that would have been impossible.
As far as the emotions Peter feels in the presence of Clarissa, I think that those are all perfectly normal emotions considering the fact that Peter never got completely over her. I still have that feeling of out of control panic, terror, hysteria, excitement to the point where I cannot speak cognitively when in the presence of my first love. Thank God I only see him every 20 to 25 years.
The significance of those feelings is that they never go away and it is hard to find a box to put them in that will safely carry them for you. Plus it helps us to understand Peter and Clarissa both more thoroughly, and possibly Richard as well.
belva

Peter was my favorite character in the book. Mostly, I thought that this book was sad. But looking at Clarissa through Peter's eyes at the end made the ending more positive for me. He saw her at her best.
--BJ

I think it's interesting that Clarissa withdraws just before this. She goes into another room to seek out the Prim Minister and finds herself alone. So much of the party is this constant switching from character to character as Clarissa makes her round, flitting about, never really settling. This quite moment alone in the drawing room allows her to come to rest with herself, and creates an emotional space within her that allows her to finally go to Peter and Sally, who she's been wanting to go to all night long.

In many ways, I think her having that moment allows her to open up and be present for Peter. So that when she finally heads his way, and he's feeling this rush of emotions, we know as readers that even if nothing physical happens, she's ready to be present and there with him.

Interesting! I think the joy of the book is that last scene of Clarissa moving from person to person to person as she is The Hostess and thus obliged to speak to everyone no matter her feelings or preferences...and then, after her duty is done, she goes to her place of rest, and she is *there* for the first time all evening long, and by extension, all her chosen life long.

"For there she was." What a perfect summation of a day that stands for a life. Clarissa has moved through a microcosm of her entire life with Richard; now she goes "home" to Peter and Sally; but what isn't said is, what now? Can she find some way to incorporate Sally into her world? I doubt it, but I think about it even yet. Can she make some headway with Peter's mesalliance? Should she choose to, Clarissa could launch them both in her world...will she choose to? I suspect she will. And Peter will remain well and truly trapped in his misery.

I hope y'all enjoyed this beautiful book as much as I do!

I did enjoy it, and thank you so much for setting up this group read.
--BJ

Richard;
I love this book each & every time I read it. It is to my library shelf as sugar is to my pantry.
Thank you for a lovely group read.
xoxoxo,
belva