Mrs. Dalloway

Definition

Mrs. Dalloway is a novel by Virginia Woolf published in 1925, centered around the main character Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares for a party in post-World War I England. The narrative employs a stream-of-consciousness style, revealing Clarissa's thoughts, memories, and perceptions, which intricately connect her inner life to the societal changes around her.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The novel takes place over the course of a single day in June 1923, showcasing Woolf's mastery of time as a fluid concept rather than a strict timeline.
2. Clarissa Dalloway's party serves as a focal point for various characters to intersect, illustrating the complexities of social relationships and individual experiences in post-war society.
3. Woolf’s use of free indirect discourse allows readers to experience multiple perspectives and gain insight into the characters' thoughts without direct narration.
4. The character Septimus Warren Smith, a shell-shocked war veteran, represents the psychological impact of war and contrasts sharply with Clarissa's social concerns.
5. The novel reflects Woolf's innovative approach to character development, focusing more on internal dialogue than on traditional plot structures.

Review Questions

• How does Virginia Woolf's use of stream-of-consciousness technique in 'Mrs. Dalloway' enhance our understanding of Clarissa Dalloway's character?
  • Woolf's stream-of-consciousness technique allows readers to experience Clarissa's innermost thoughts and feelings directly, revealing her struggles with identity, societal expectations, and the passage of time. This approach gives depth to her character, showcasing her memories and reflections that shape her current state of mind. By moving fluidly between past and present, Woolf paints a vivid picture of Clarissa's internal world and her connections to the external environment.
• Analyze how 'Mrs. Dalloway' reflects the themes of modernism through its narrative style and structure.
  • 'Mrs. Dalloway' embodies modernism through its experimental narrative style and non-linear structure. The use of stream-of-consciousness allows for fragmented timelines and multiple perspectives, challenging traditional storytelling methods. Woolf's focus on subjective experiences rather than objective reality illustrates the complexities of modern life and individual consciousness during a time of societal upheaval following World War I.
• Evaluate the significance of the character Septimus Warren Smith in 'Mrs. Dalloway' and how he contrasts with Clarissa Dalloway’s experiences.
  • Septimus Warren Smith serves as a powerful symbol of the psychological trauma inflicted by World War I, contrasting sharply with Clarissa Dalloway’s preoccupation with social status and her party preparations. His mental struggles highlight the devastating impact of war on individuals, raising questions about sanity, societal expectations, and existential meaning. This juxtaposition emphasizes Woolf's critique of a society that prioritizes surface-level social interactions while neglecting deeper emotional truths.

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 to provide deeper psychological insight.

Modernism: A literary movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a break from traditional forms and an exploration of new styles and themes reflecting modern life.

Time and Memory: Themes in literature that explore the relationship between time, memory, and identity, often emphasizing how past experiences shape an individual's present.