The Duchess
and the Jeweller
Virginia Woolf [Br.] 1882-1941
OUTLINE
Author
Plot
Ideas
Theme
Characters
Style
Language
1. About the Author
Adeline Virginia Woolf was an
English novelist, essayist,
diarist, epistler, publisher,
feminist, and writer of short
stories, regarded as one of the
foremost modernist literary
figures of the twentieth century.
Mrs. Dalloway, Jacob's Room,
To the Lighthouse.
(25 Jan 1882 – 28 Mar 1941)
2. Plot Summary
Once a poor boy in the streets of London, he
has become the richest jeweller in England.
One day, Oliver enters into his private shop
room, and awaits the arrival of the Duchess.
When she arrives, he has her wait.
The Duchess comes to Oliver to sell ten pearls,
as she has lost substantial money to gambling.
The Duchess manipulates him into buying
them for twenty thousand pounds. In the end,
the pearls are found to be fakes.
3. Main ideas
No. Paras
Main ideas
1
1
The jeweler's luxury
2
2-4
His recollection of his endeavor
3
5-14
To and in his shop
4
15-6
Before the duchess’ appearance
5
17-50
The deal
6
51-3
After the deal
4. The Theme
Woolf, being an advocate of addressing
the "stream of consciousness," shows the
thoughts and actions of a greedy jeweller;
Woolf makes a thematic point that corrupt
people do corrupt actions for purely selfish
motives (and often without regret).
5. Character Analysis
The Jeweller
Of humble origin, new-rich, luxurious,
arrogant, greedy, showy, self-contemptuous
The Duchess
Of noble birth, flirtatious, luxurious,
arrogant, greedy, crafty, florid
6. Stylistic Analysis
A. Stream of consciousness: inner world
B. Limited, yet unlimited time and space
C. Modernism: individualism
7. Language Points
Groups of words
Furniture: chair, sofa, sideboard, mantelpiece, etc.
Jewels: rubies, emeralds, pearls, diamonds, etc.
Say: wail, sigh, moan, hiss, murmur, whisper, etc.
Materials, colors, clothing, etc.
Complex sentences