“She remembered once throwing a schilling into the Serpentine.” (pg. 9)
The Serpentine is a famous artificial lake located in Hyde Park in London. It was created in the 1730’s at the request of Queen Caroline. Since its establishment it has become a popular recreational attraction that boasts boating and swimming. Hyde Park as well as the neighboring Kensington Gardens and St. James’ Park are equally popular sites that commonly host celebrations and concerts. Woolf refers to the Serpentine and the adjacent parks to illustrate the elaborate setting. She also uses these locations to prompt Clarissa into having flashbacks of her youth and her previous acquaintances with such people as Peter Walsh.
Woolf intentionally references the Serpentine because of its name. Serpentine, meaning characteristic of a snake, metaphorically relates to the "winding course" of Clarissa's busy day. Also, much like the movement of a snake, Clarissa's thoughts and attitudes shift regularly throughout the novel.
"Hyde Park." The Royal Parks. Web. 28 Sept. 2009. http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde_park/
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any particular value to the name of the lake in relation to its purpose in the novel? Why might Woolf have keyed in on this particular body of water with this particular name?
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