Great Works II

Within this section of the text, the reader gains exposure to the simultaneous proximity of events taking place between Rezia and Peter. This occurred during the scene when the old woman was singing the song that triggers sad moments between Rezia and Peter. For Peter it was the rejection he had endured from Clarissa that night, while for Rezia it was the present moment of seeing her husband suffer from the mental illness. Both characters had the same reaction to their current thoughts as a result of the encounter with this character. This scene also reveals both characters perceptions of the old woman and her song. Peter does not sense joy from the singing and feels pity; a pity that is suggested towards his own past concerning Clarissa and pity for the old woman’s circumstance. However, Rezia’s perception is different since she draws strength from the words of the song that enables her to relate to it through her own situation. Also we are given more background information on how Septimus’s mental condition affects his relationship between him and Rezia since it prevents him from having children with her. Thus, Septimus’s reason is that he does not want his children to have to endure the same suffering he is going through, as well as saddening Rezia that she cannot have children. As a result, it is suggestive that Septimus is suffering from a form of post traumatic stress disorder or a variant of a mental illness that he obtained from fighting in World War I. It is evident that Septimus displays a sense of distrust towards Dr. Holmes. This distrust is seen through Septimus’s view of Dr. Holmes as an embodiment of human nature. Therefore, Septimus perceives “human nature” as something that is destructive towards others. In fact this destructive perception of “human nature” is illustrated in Dr. Holmes ability to display his power in the form of control over his patients through conditioning them to live their lives through his views of the world. Thus, despite Septimus mental illness, he is able to perceive Dr. Holmes actions through his remembrance of the blind conformity during WWI. Thus, one can argue that Septimus’s memories of WWI save him from being confirmed to Dr. Holmes’s philosophy. Thus, in this scene it can be difficult for one to trust Septimus’s judgment of Dr. Holmes character as a result of his mental illness.