Virginia Woolf recalls a sailing trip from her youth in Moments of Being. Walking in London’s dull streets, Woolf sees something more interesting. She discovers afternoon sailing is better than the walking she does, and begins to talk about particular memories from her time at sea. In this instance, Woolf uses long sentences and vivid imagery to highlight the importance and impact of each moment. Woolf uses such language as a way to recall and express the emotions that she experienced in her past memories.
Woolf makes the short moments of the memory seem longer by using long sentences. The longer sentences make the excerpt seem longer and give it a more lasting feeling. One example is line 13-19. “Sometimes, lines would be handed to us; baited from gobbets cut out of fish; then one tugged; another hauled; then one pulled; up through water came the white twistingfish; and was slapped onto the floor.” The author conveys the feeling that the reader is capturing the entire moment by not pause and using short phrases in a steady order. Woolf slows down to make the moment more important. This allows Woolf to create imagery by forcing the reader into the passage. The reader is able to see Woolf’s recollection in all its aspects and how it remains strong. The author describes Thoby as they return to shore. In lines 6-10, she describes Thoby. The imagery allows the reader and author to both see and feel the moment. The reader can understand Woolf’s thoughts better through imagery and comprehension.
Woolf ends the brief passage by reflecting on what her father told her about the trip. She believes that the memory of her father’s words helped her understand passion and how it can transform one’s life. Woolf mentions this idea at lines 33-38. “It is an invaluable seed, from which…one could grow something that reflects other people’s experiences.” One often has to accept the seeds, the germs and the possibilities of what might have happened, had one’s lives been different.” The closing thoughts allow the reader to see the effect that the memory has on her even though the event is past. She is able to recall her past through London streets, with “momentary glances” (39) or “rapid glances,” (40), which eventually makes her more human and insightful. Woolf suggests that memories are a result of the seeds growing into something other people have experienced. This supports Woolf’s idea that her memory is her own experience.
Woolf uses long sentences, detail and imagery to communicate the importance of her past moments. Woolf can create memories that are permanent, enduring, and that leave a lasting impression. Woolf is depicted in this piece as feeling lost and unaffected by the world around her.
