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Questions and Answers
Peter Walsh's initial thoughts upon seeing the statue of the Duke of Cambridge reflect his belief that:
Peter Walsh's initial thoughts upon seeing the statue of the Duke of Cambridge reflect his belief that:
- political activism and social reform are the most crucial elements for societal progress.
- the future of civilization rests with youthful adherence to abstract principles and intellectual pursuits. (correct)
- personal success and societal contribution are primarily measured by conventional achievements.
- civilization is best preserved by adherence to tradition and established hierarchies.
When Peter Walsh observes the marching soldiers, he notes their 'expression like the letters of a legend...praising duty, gratitude, fidelity, love of England.' This observation primarily reveals:
When Peter Walsh observes the marching soldiers, he notes their 'expression like the letters of a legend...praising duty, gratitude, fidelity, love of England.' This observation primarily reveals:
- Peter's belief that the soldiers genuinely embody the virtues inscribed on statues.
- Peter's admiration for the soldiers' unwavering patriotism and commitment to national ideals.
- Peter's recognition of the constructed nature of patriotic ideals imposed upon the young soldiers. (correct)
- Peter's cynical view of the soldiers as mere symbols of nationalistic propaganda.
Peter Walsh's thought, 'One had to respect it; one might laugh; but one had to respect it,' in response to the marching soldiers, indicates:
Peter Walsh's thought, 'One had to respect it; one might laugh; but one had to respect it,' in response to the marching soldiers, indicates:
- a complete and uncritical acceptance of military discipline and nationalistic fervor.
- a purely dismissive attitude towards the military display, finding it inherently absurd.
- a desire to fully integrate himself into the patriotic spirit embodied by the soldiers.
- a conflicted perspective, acknowledging the power of discipline while retaining a sense of irony or detachment. (correct)
Peter Walsh reflects that the statues of 'Nelson, Gordon, Havelock...stood looking ahead of them, as if they too had made the same renunciation.' What 'renunciation' is Peter implying?
Peter Walsh reflects that the statues of 'Nelson, Gordon, Havelock...stood looking ahead of them, as if they too had made the same renunciation.' What 'renunciation' is Peter implying?
Peter Walsh thinks, 'They don't know the troubles of the flesh yet,' referring to the marching boys. This thought reveals:
Peter Walsh thinks, 'They don't know the troubles of the flesh yet,' referring to the marching boys. This thought reveals:
Peter's feeling of being 'utterly free' and 'young for years' upon arriving in Trafalgar Square is primarily attributed to:
Peter's feeling of being 'utterly free' and 'young for years' upon arriving in Trafalgar Square is primarily attributed to:
Peter Walsh's pursuit of the woman he sees in Trafalgar Square is best interpreted as:
Peter Walsh's pursuit of the woman he sees in Trafalgar Square is best interpreted as:
Peter imagines the woman in Cockspur Street saying 'You,' only 'you', suggesting a 'private name which he called himself in his own thoughts.' This reveals:
Peter imagines the woman in Cockspur Street saying 'You,' only 'you', suggesting a 'private name which he called himself in his own thoughts.' This reveals:
Peter's comparison of the woman to Clarissa, noting she is 'not worldly, like Clarissa; not rich, like Clarissa,' suggests:
Peter's comparison of the woman to Clarissa, noting she is 'not worldly, like Clarissa; not rich, like Clarissa,' suggests:
Peter's thought 'for one must invent, must allow oneself a little diversion,' while observing the woman, indicates:
Peter's thought 'for one must invent, must allow oneself a little diversion,' while observing the woman, indicates:
When the woman enters the house with 'hanging flower-baskets of vague impropriety,' and Peter hears 'Clarissa's voice saying, Remember my party,' this juxtaposition primarily suggests:
When the woman enters the house with 'hanging flower-baskets of vague impropriety,' and Peter hears 'Clarissa's voice saying, Remember my party,' this juxtaposition primarily suggests:
Peter's reflection, 'it was smashed to atoms - his fun, for it was half made up...invented, this escapade with the girl,' signifies:
Peter's reflection, 'it was smashed to atoms - his fun, for it was half made up...invented, this escapade with the girl,' signifies:
Peter's observation of London as a 'splendid achievement in its own way, after all; London; the season; civilization,' reveals:
Peter's observation of London as a 'splendid achievement in its own way, after all; London; the season; civilization,' reveals:
Peter's thought, 'women live much more in the past than we do,' when considering his childhood memories prompted by seeing Clarissa's name, implies:
Peter's thought, 'women live much more in the past than we do,' when considering his childhood memories prompted by seeing Clarissa's name, implies:
Peter's memories of his childhood in Regent's Park are triggered by:
Peter's memories of his childhood in Regent's Park are triggered by:
Peter's internal debate about whether to sit near the elderly nurse in Regent's Park reveals his:
Peter's internal debate about whether to sit near the elderly nurse in Regent's Park reveals his:
Peter's critique of Clarissa's parenting style, 'trying to make out, like most mothers, that things are what they're not,' regarding Elizabeth, suggests:
Peter's critique of Clarissa's parenting style, 'trying to make out, like most mothers, that things are what they're not,' regarding Elizabeth, suggests:
The 'great brush' that 'swept smooth across his mind' as Peter smokes his cigar and drifts towards sleep symbolizes:
The 'great brush' that 'swept smooth across his mind' as Peter smokes his cigar and drifts towards sleep symbolizes:
Throughout the passage, Peter Walsh's internal monologue is characterized by:
Throughout the passage, Peter Walsh's internal monologue is characterized by:
The setting of the passage, moving from Whitehall to Trafalgar Square, Cockspur Street, and Regent's Park, primarily functions to:
The setting of the passage, moving from Whitehall to Trafalgar Square, Cockspur Street, and Regent's Park, primarily functions to:
Flashcards
Peter's emotions after escaping
Peter's emotions after escaping
Feelings of understanding, philanthropy and an irrepressible delight, where strings are pulled and shutters moved.
Peter's Self-Perception
Peter's Self-Perception
After returning from India, Peter felt like an adventurer, reckless and daring, free from the societal expectations.
Downfall of Habit
Downfall of Habit
The state of mind when habit is broken and the mind bends, seeming about to blow from its holding.
Meaning of marching boys.
Meaning of marching boys.
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Sentiment about civilization
Sentiment about civilization
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Peter's feelings towards others
Peter's feelings towards others
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The made up life.
The made up life.
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Civilization as personal possession
Civilization as personal possession
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Women and Past Connection
Women and Past Connection
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Life pulse
Life pulse
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Remember my party
Remember my party
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Study Notes
Peter Walsh's Reflections
- Peter Walsh looks at the statue of the Duke of Cambridge and reflects on his past as a Socialist and being sent down from Oxford.
- He believes the future of civilization lies with young men dedicated to abstract principles, science, and philosophy.
The Marching Boys
- Boys in uniform march up Whitehall with a solemnity that impresses Walsh.
- They represent duty, gratitude, fidelity, and love of England.
- Peter notes their lack of robustness and imagines their potential different paths.
- The traffic stops for them as they march toward the empty tomb and having taken their vow.
- Their disciplined march evokes a sense of life being laid under a pavement of monuments.
- Peter acknowledges the need to respect their commitment.
Statues and Renunciation
- Peter Walsh observes the statues of great soldiers like Nelson, Gordon, and Havelock.
- He thinks they symbolize renunciation, a marble stare, and the trampling of temptations similar to the boys marching past.
- He feels connected to this renunciation.
- He sees innocence in them and acknowledges that the boys are yet to experience the troubles of the flesh.
Encounters and Reflections in Trafalgar Square
- Peter Walsh is struck by the feeling of being alone and unknown in London except to Clarissa.
- The thought of his divorce seems insignificant.
- He experiences understanding, philanthropy, and irrepressible delight.
- He feels young and free, reminiscent of escaping from restrictions and being precisely who he was.
- He contrasts this feeling with the image of his old nurse waving from the wrong window.
- Peter sees a young woman who embodies his ideal, appearing young, stately, merry, discreet, black, and enchanting.
- He impulsively follows her, drawn to a light that connects them and whispers to him.
Pursuit and Imagination
- He imagines her saying "You" with her white gloves and shoulders, feeling the wind stir her cloak.
- Peter envisions her as unmarried and young, noticing a red carnation that enhances her beauty.
- Speculating on her character, he wonders if she is respectable and witty, imagining her cool and darting wit.
- He contemplates offering her an ice cream, anticipating a simple and accepting response.
- As he pursues her, people obstruct his view.
- Peter envisions himself as a romantic buccaneer, disregarding societal norms and conventions.
The Ending
- The woman crosses Oxford Street and Great Portland Street before turning into one of the little streets.
- Before disappearing into a building, she briefly looks in his direction.
- Clarissa's invitation to her party rings in his ears and he recognizes the house as somewhat improper.
- The moment is over; this smashes his fun.
Reflections on London and Civilization
- As he walks away, Peter recognizes that the woman and this escapade were made up.
- He knows this experience can't be shared.
- He heads towards Lincoln's Inn, considering where to sit.
- The day is a splendid one.
- He observes the city life around him, including a car stopping precisely at the right moment for a woman to alight.
- Peter thinks of butlers, chow dogs, and halls in black and white lozenges as admirable features of civilization.
- Despite disliking India and empire, he appreciates the order and civilization around him.
- He sees doctors, businessmen, and capable women as good people.
- He resolves to sit in the shade and smoke.
Regent's Park and Memories
- Peter decides to go to Regent's Park and remembers his childhood walks there.
- His mind goes to his past and specifically how Clarissa has made him think about it.
- He recalls Bourton.
- He needs an empty seat to sit on.
Elizabeth and Closing Thoughts
- He sees an elderly grey nurse with a baby and chooses to sit near her.
- Peter considers Elizabeth, Clarissa's daughter, finding her grown-up yet not exactly pretty.
- She is likely eighteen and doesn't likely get on with Clarissa.
- He criticizes Clarissa's approach to motherhood.
- The rich cigar smoke cools his throat and he throws it out closing his eyes.
- He drifts into sleep and is muffled to the sounds around him.
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