Thoughts on the Twentieth Century

         Jake and Brett clearly have an intimate relationship. They appear to have a close bond and are always supporting each other. When they are in the taxi at the beginning of the book, Jake asks Brett if she loves him and she says, “Love you? I simply turn all to jelly when you touch me” (34). Brett never expresses this kind of affection and passion towards any of the other men she dates. Jake is Brett’s one true love, yet because of Jake’s injury from the war they cannot be together and make their relationship work. Therefore, Brett is constantly with other men even though she still loves Jake. Jake seems fine with some of the men that Brett dates, but some of the men he cannot stand even talking to Brett.              Jake is perfectly fine with Brett hanging out with the Count and even tells Brett that “he’s [the Count] nice” (61). The Count is a fun person who likes to party...

          Virginia Woolf puts the scene of Septimus’s suicide right before a scene of Peter musing about London to express the privileged life Peter leads as an upper-class citizen. Throughout the book, Septimus and Lucrezia struggle through many problems in their lives. For example, Septimus is psychologically damaged because of his traumatic experience in the war; he is going through what at the time was called “shell shock”. Lucrezia is constantly worried about Septimus and. She is also distressed that their marriage is falling apart and Septimus no longer loves her. Near the end of the book, Septimus jumps out of the window and commits suicide. Lucrezia, of course is distraught. She has trouble facing the fact that Septimus is dead as her life has just been turned upside down.           Immediately after the scene of Septimus’s suicide, Woolf switches to Peter’s perspective. Peter is walk...