The Legacy by Virginia Woolf

1) In a few words, describe or mention the following:

a. CONFLICTS IN THE STORY

b. EXAMPLES OF IRONY

c. CHARACTERS

2) Match the following words from the story to their closest definition:
Tiff / quarrel
pounce
A token
Discretion
Handkerchief
Intrude
Looking-glass
Overcome
Eager
Seldom
blush

secrecy
mirror
Cloth tissue
Argument / fight
sometimes
Be embarrassed
interrupt
Jump on
Get over
symbol
Want to do something

3) The story mentions the song For hes a jolly good fellow Why is it sung? What did the
man in the story do to have it sung to him?

British version
For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow (pause), and so say all of us
And so say all of us, and so say all of us
For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow (pause), and so say all of us!
American version
For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow (pause), which nobody can deny
Which nobody can deny, which nobody can deny
For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow (pause), which nobody can deny!
Questions for analysis:

YOU DONT NEED TO ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS! THEY ARE JUST A GUIDE TO UNDERSTAND
THE STORY BETTER YOU CAN CHOOSE WHICH QUESTIONS TO ANSWER.
1. Find some information about the author of the story.
2. What does Gilbert assume caused her death?
3. Why does Sissy Miller extend an offer to help Gilbert?
4. Why did Gilbert particularly enjoy travelling with his wife, Angela?
5. What are Gilbert's career ambitions at age fifty?
6. Why did Angela Clandon want to do volunteer work in the East End of London? What was Gilbert's
response to her request?
7. What two political ideologies are contrasted in the story?
8. How does Gilbert Clandon expect his wife to behave throughout their married life?
9. How does Angela Clandon change during the course of their marriage?
10. What is Gilbert's attitude toward the working class? Explain your answer with examples from the text.
11. What is the role of B. M. in the story?
12. How much does Gilbert's understanding of the events change by the end of the story?
13. Do you feel sympathetic towards Gilbert Clandon? Explain your answer.
14. In your view, should Angela Clandon have confessed to what was going on while she was still alive?
15. What do you think a typical day in Angela's life was like before she began her volunteer work?
Contrast this with a typical day in Gilbert's life.
16. Why do you think Angela was so attached to B. M.?
17. Do you think learning the truth about Angela and B. M. will affect Gilbert's future plans? Explain your
answer.