“The
World had raised its whip; where will it descend?”
- Mrs
Dalloway
Virginia
Woolf was a British writer and one of the foremost modernists of the 20th
century. Woolf's literary career began in earnest in the early 1910s. He is popularly well-known as a novelist
specially for writing Mrs.
Dalloway. Besides, To the Lighthouse and Orlando are famous novels written by him.
Mrs.
Dalloway portrays a single day in the life of a woman from sunrise tonight.
Clarissa Dalloway is an upper-class housewife. She goes on a walk around her
London neighborhood in preparation for a party. Peter Walsh, an old suitor, and
acquaintance, unexpectedly comes by her house when she returns from flower
buying. They've always been harsh on one other. Their current interaction is
linked with their memories of the past.
Clarissa
had turned down Peter's marriage proposal years before. Peter has never fully
recovered the pain. Clarissa is asked if she is satisfied with her husband,
Richard. But she is interrupted by her daughter, Elizabeth. Because Elizabeth
enters the room before Clarissa can respond. Peter gets in his car and drives
to Regent's Park in London. He is still haunted by Clarissa's rejection. Woolf
writes,
"Peter
Walsh had been in love with her, had never told her, had never done
anything"
The
focus switches to Septimus who is a World War I soldier. He was injured in
trench battle and is now suffering from shell shock. Septimus and Lucrezia, his
Italian wife, relax in Regent's Park. They're waiting for Septimus' meeting
with famous psychiatrist Sir William Bradshaw. Septimus was a blossoming young
poet and Shakespeare admirer before the conflict.
Septimus
had become immune to the horrors of war and its aftermath. He showed little
grief when his buddy Evans died. He now sees nothing worthwhile in the England
for which he fought. He has lost interest in preserving either his society or
himself. Woolf writes,
"What
was this terror?...... He was alone; he was unheeded, happy, and near to the
wild heart of life".
This
quote highlights the complexity of Septimus's mental illness. He feels a sense
of terror and despair. But he also has moments of happiness and connection with
life.
He
is suicidal and thinks that his inability to feel is a crime. Septimus'
experiences in the battle have clearly left him traumatized. He suffers from
significant mental issues. Sir William, on the other hand, ignores Septimus'
words. Septimus will be separated from Lucrezia and sent to a mental facility
in the country, according to Sir William. Woolf writes,
"He
went to France to save an England which consisted almost entirely of
Shakespeare's plays and Miss Isabel Pole in a green dress walking in a
square".
Hugh
Whitbread and Lady Bruton, members of high society, attend lunch with Richard
Dalloway. The gentlemen assist Lady Bruton in writing a letter to the Times newspaper.
Richard arrives home to Clarissa with a big bouquet of roses after lunch.
Richard arrives home to Clarissa with a big bouquet of roses after lunch.
Clarissa explores the gap that occurs between individuals, including husband and wife relationships. Even though she loves the privacy she can preserve in her marriage. She considers it essential to the relationship's success.
Clarissa
watches Elizabeth and Miss Kilman, her history teacher. The two older ladies
strongly dislike one another. Each thinks the other to be an oppressive
influence in Elizabeth's life. As Elizabeth and Miss Kilman walk away, Clarissa
observes them from her window and reflects on their relationship:
"She
had been reconciled to this daughter lately; and what had made the change in
her feelings was that she had asked her ................. down to buy a
hat".
Meanwhile,
Septimus and Lucrezia are having a happy time together in their apartment. Dr.
Holmes, one of Septimus' physicians, comes, and Septimus is afraid the doctor
will kill his soul. To avoid this destiny, he leaps to his death from a window.
When
Peter hears the ambulance arrive to collect Septimus' body, he marvels
sarcastically at London's degree of civilization. He attends Clarissa's party,
which brings together the majority of the novel's key characters. Clarissa
works tirelessly to ensure the success of her party. But she is unsatisfied
with her own role and painfully aware of Peter's critical eye.
All
of the partygoers, notably Peter and Sally Seton, have failed to realize their
childhood ambitions to some extent. Although the social order is certainly
shifting, Elizabeth and her generation are likely to imitate Clarissa's
mistakes.This lack of understanding and emotional distance may lead Elizabeth
to feel neglected and resentful. The passage reads:
"Elizabeth
could not help watching her mother, quietly, as she went about the room”
Sir
William Bradshaw comes late, and his wife informs him that Septimus has killed
himself. Clarissa locks herself up in a small room to think about Septimus'
death. She realizes he was overwhelmed by life, and that people like Sir
William made life unbearable.
Septimus
inspires her, and she admires him for taking the risk and not sacrificing his
soul. She believes she is to blame for his death because of her fortunate
status. As the celebration draws to a conclusion, visitors begin to depart.
Clarissa enters the room, and Peter becomes fascinated by her presence.
In
conclusion, Peter Walsh's unrequited love for Clarissa Dalloway is a significant
theme in Mrs. Dalloway. His inability to express his feelings leads to a sense
of despair and hopelessness. He is unable to move on from his love for
Clarissa, and it impacts his relationships with other people. The novel
portrays the complexity of love and the impact it can have on an individual's
life.
