Mrs. Dalloway

Definition

Mrs. Dalloway is a novel by Virginia Woolf published in 1925, which follows Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares for a party she is hosting in London. The narrative explores themes of time, memory, and the inner lives of characters, connecting deeply with the characteristics of literary modernism through its stream-of-consciousness style and focus on individual perception.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The novel is set in post-World War I London, reflecting the social changes and psychological trauma experienced by individuals during that period.
2. Woolf employs a non-linear narrative structure, shifting between past and present as characters' memories intertwine with their current experiences.
3. Clarissa Dalloway's character serves as a lens to examine themes of identity, societal expectations, and the passage of time.
4. The juxtaposition of Clarissa's life with that of Septimus Warren Smith highlights contrasting responses to trauma and mental illness.
5. Mrs. Dalloway is considered a landmark work in modernist literature, showcasing Woolf's innovative writing style and deep psychological insight.

Review Questions

• How does Virginia Woolf use stream-of-consciousness in Mrs. Dalloway to enhance the reader's understanding of the characters?
  • Virginia Woolf employs stream-of-consciousness as a key narrative technique in Mrs. Dalloway to provide a direct glimpse into the characters' thoughts and emotions. This approach allows readers to experience the characters' internal struggles and perceptions as they navigate their daily lives. Through this style, Woolf emphasizes the complexity of individual consciousness and the impact of time and memory on identity, deepening our understanding of Clarissa Dalloway's inner world and her interactions with others.
• Discuss how Mrs. Dalloway reflects the characteristics of literary modernism through its themes and narrative techniques.
  • Mrs. Dalloway embodies the characteristics of literary modernism through its exploration of subjective experience, fragmented narrative structure, and focus on psychological depth. The novel breaks away from traditional plot development by using non-linear storytelling that intertwines past memories with present moments. Themes such as the effects of World War I on society, existential concerns, and the complexities of identity reflect the modernist preoccupation with change and uncertainty in a rapidly evolving world.
• Evaluate how Mrs. Dalloway addresses mental illness through the characters of Clarissa Dalloway and Septimus Warren Smith within the context of modernist literature.
  • Mrs. Dalloway critically addresses mental illness by contrasting the experiences of Clarissa Dalloway with those of Septimus Warren Smith, showcasing different responses to trauma in a post-war society. While Clarissa grapples with her sense of self amid societal expectations, Septimus represents the profound psychological scars left by World War I. Woolf’s portrayal of their struggles reflects modernist themes of alienation and introspection, inviting readers to reconsider societal attitudes toward mental health during an era that often stigmatized such issues.

Related terms

Stream of Consciousness: A narrative technique that attempts to capture the flow of thoughts and feelings running through a character's mind, often used in modernist literature.

Modernism:

A broad cultural movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a break from traditional forms of art and literature, emphasizing new perspectives and experiences.

Interiority: The exploration of characters' inner thoughts and emotions, often used to depict their psychological states and personal experiences.