Notes

Journal 6

Richard thinks about his own love of Clarissa and decides that after lunch he’ll go home and tell her that he loves her. (Sound like that's not really a regular occurrence.)
Lady Bruton, Hugh, and Richard all gather over coffee to write an editorial letter to the Times about emigration to Canada. Emigration is her "cause," and her solution to overpopulation in England.
They compose several drafts of this letter. Richard feels that Hugh’s work on the letter is mediocre, but Hugh makes some encouraging remarks about getting the letter to the editor of the Times.
Lady Bruton is so delighted that she absurdly puts the bouquet of carnations down her blouse and calls Hugh "My Prime Minister!" (4.186). Yeah, we’re still trying to figure out that one, too.
Richard wants to write a history of Lady Bruton’s family, which is full of "military men, administrators, admirals [and] men of action, who had done their duty" (4.185). She reminds Richard that all of the family papers are ready whenever he needs to consult them for his book.
The lunch party breaks up. Lady Bruton takes a nap, drifting off and thinking about her youth and about Richard and Hugh.
The two men look in an antique shop window. Hugh considers buying a Spanish necklace for his wife, Evelyn.
Richard feels underwhelmed by life. He doesn’t care at all about emigration. He never bought Clarissa jewelry, and she didn’t care. Peter loved her so much, he thinks. Hugh is a blow-hard. Interesting thought process.
Richard decides to buy Clarissa flowers. He thinks to himself that what’s left of life after the war is a miracle; just think about all the death and the forgotten men. Richard has tried his best to help people, to commit himself to social reform. He pities people who are on the streets and believes that the police aren’t doing right by them.
He has to get home and tell Clarissa that he loves her.
Thoughts of Buckingham Palace and its dignity and tradition soothe him, and once again, he feels happy.
Arriving home, Richard finds that Clarissa is upset that her frumpy, dull cousin Ellie Henderson is coming to her party. It’s enough that Elizabeth is spending time with that awful Miss Kilman; what more could go wrong?
Richard enters holding flowers. He can’t bring himself to say "I love you," but she understands what he’s thinking.
They talk about Miss Kilman, Peter Walsh, the party, and writing the letter for Lady Bruton. He wonders why she gives these parties when they stress her out so much.
He leaves again to go to a meeting about Armenians or Albanians. It's always something.
Clarissa cherishes the independence that she and Richard have in their marriage. But he looks after her, making sure she rests after lunch. She feels a twinge of guilt for caring more about roses than Armenians. (We all have those moments, don't we?)
As she lies down, Clarissa tries to figure out why she feels so disturbed. She didn’t like how Peter and Richard criticized her parties. They’re an offering: her form of creation, a gift.
While Clarissa is resting, Elizabeth comes into the room very quietly, while Miss Kilman waits outside the door in her unsightly mackintosh (that's a raincoat). As you might remember, Mrs Dalloway doesn't think very highly of her: she’s poor and over forty, she resents the rich, and she looks down on Clarissa’s background and limited education. She is entitled and bitter, pious and judgmental.
Clarissa feels that Miss Kilman is stealing Elizabeth away from her.
Elizabeth leaves with Miss Kilman to have tea. Clarissa considers love and religion detestable. (This thought makes some sense in the context: remember that Miss Kilman brings Elizabeth to Catholic meetings.) She becomes repulsed by the idea of Miss Kilman’s body and her efforts to convert people to Christianity.
Climbing the stairs, Clarissa looks out the window at the house across the way. She often watches a woman who leaves there; she finds the woman peaceful compared to the thought of Peter Walsh’s oppressive love. Interesting comparison.
Now we're in Miss Kilman's thoughts. (You still with us?) Miss Kilman is concerned with controlling the flesh. She thinks that Clarissa mocks her ugliness. She despises Clarissa’s shallowness and vanity. Her own desires are simple: tea, a hot water bottle, some clothing, and comfort.
Miss Kilman knows she has an unlovable body, but does she have to suffer for that? Why should she suffer while Clarissa has all of the comforts she needs?
Elizabeth and Miss Kilman enter the Army and Navy Stores. They shop a bit and then have some tea and cakes. Miss Kilman eats greedily while eying a pink cake being eaten by a child.