Discuss the impact that being left by both his mother and Clarissa had on Richard's character.

Both Clarissa and Louis walked away from Richard. Do you believe there was some quality in his character that kept love at bay?

How were Clarissa's choices different than Laura Brown's?

Why do you suppose Louis feels there's so little love in the world?

Do you believe that Clarissa Vaughan is happy with the life she's created? Why or why not?

Cite and explain three ways in which Clarissa Vaughan's choices parallel Laura Brown's.

Do you believe Virginia Woolf makes a good role model for feminism? Why or why not?