Hi,
I'm reading "A Room of One's Own" (Chapter 3) and being asked what this quote means:
"Perhaps now it would be better to give up seeking for the truth, and (!) receiving on one's head an avalanche of opinion hot as lava, discoloured as dish-water.(!) "
I don't know what she's really talking about here (mainly the parts between the "!"s). I've read the entire chapter and I'm still lost. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
In the quote you mentioned, "Perhaps now it would be better to give up seeking for the truth, and (!) receiving on one's head an avalanche of opinion hot as lava, discoloured as dish-water (!)", Virginia Woolf is expressing her frustration with the overwhelming amount of biased and unreliable opinions that society bombards individuals with.
The use of exclamation marks within the parentheses serves as a visual cue to emphasize the intensity of the experience. Let's break it down:
1. "Receiving on one's head an avalanche of opinion hot as lava" - This metaphor suggests that when one attempts to seek the truth in a world filled with various opinions, it can be overwhelming and suffocating, like being buried under an avalanche of hot lava. This conveys the idea that opinions can be forceful, heated, and potentially harmful.
2. "Discoloured as dish-water" - Here, Woolf further illustrates the unreliable and unclear nature of the opinions people encounter. Comparing these opinions to dish-water suggests that they lack substance, becoming diluted and lacking clarity or distinctiveness. Dish-water, being dull and uninteresting, signifies that these opinions fail to offer deep insights or valuable knowledge.
By using vivid imagery and metaphorical language, Woolf portrays the struggle of seeking truth amidst the flood of opinions that lack credibility and depth. She suggests that the overwhelming nature of these opinions can hinder one's ability to find genuine knowledge and understanding.
I've never read this work. Maybe another teacher has. In the meantime, it might be helpful to read this:
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/roomofonesown/section3.rhtml