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Giles is one of the most important characters to Woolfs argument. We will explore

the ways that Woolf uses Giles characterization as well as the way that other characters

perceive him to mold Giles into a symbol of historic and volatile power.

The first theme that is crucial to dissecting the text is that of power. Considering the

novel within its historical context, it is easy to see how power would be a concept at the

forefront of Woolfs consideration. Specifically, in the way that power acts upon both those

who are aware and unaware of its presence. Woolf typically employs Giles to help us follow

her arguments regarding power. As a deeply conflicted character, Giles harbors bitter

resentment towards several other characters, occasionally lashing out for what sometimes

seems like no reason (certainly representative of the volatile nature of power). One character

who is particularly singled out as Giles target is William Dodge. Dodge, a homosexual,

accompanied Mrs. Manresa to the pageant. Upon arriving at the fact that Dodge is a

homosexual man, Giles becomes infuriated. On one particular instance that Giles lashes out

towards Dodge, a woman asks Giles, "Surely, Mr. Oliver, we're more civilized? We? said

Giles. We? He looked, once, at William. (Woolf 111). This scene follows shortly after

Giles stomps on a snake (a symbol of Dodge), bloodying his shoes. Pairing the two scenes, it

is clear that Woolf wants us to pay close attention to the way in which power can (and often

does) act oppressively. The reason that this is central to the argument of the novel, is that

after Giles says this, Isa quickly reprimands him and rebukes him for the blood on his shoes

(a symbol of his violent and oppressive actions). This is the moment in which Woolf provides

us with a very important moment as readers, it is our first explicit call to Isa dissent from

Giles (symbolically dissenting from the power structure). Through Giles violence, Woolf

provides us with the key to unlocking the rest of her argument, namely Isas struggle to attain

personal agency.
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