Study Questions

1. What kind of flower is Elizabeth compared to?

2. With what words does Miss Kilman sum up Richard’s and Clarissa’s attitudes toward her?

3. What exactly has Miss Kilman been hired to do?

4. Where does Miss Kilman think that Mrs. Dalloway, and all the other fine ladies, should be?

5. What did Clarissa yell to Elizabeth as the latter left?

6. When Clarissa thinks about the destructive power of love, who in particular occurs to her as an example?

7. Why and for how long does Miss Kilman think about Russia?

8. What does Elizabeth feel is the one pleasure left to Miss Kilman?

9. What does Kilman say about parties?

10. What does Kilman say just before Elizabeth leaves?

Answers

1. Elizabeth is compared to a hyacinth.

2. Miss Kilman considers that Mr. Dalloway had been kind, but Mrs. Dalloway had been merely condescending.

3. Mr. Dalloway had hired Miss Kilman to teach Elizabethean history.

4. Miss Kilman thinks that Mrs. Dalloway, and all the other fine ladies, should be working in factories or behind counters.

5. As Elizabeth left, Clarissa yelled to her from the top of the stairs “Remember the party!”

6. When Clarissa thinks about the destructive power of love, Peter Walsh occurs to her as an example.

7. Upset about Clarissa, Kilman thinks about Russia until she reaches a pillar box.

8. Elizabeth feels that the one pleasure left to Miss Kilman is that of food.

9. Kilman says that Elizabeth mustn’t let parties absorb her.

10. Kilman says “Don’t quite forget me” just before Elizabeth leaves.