Theme Clarissa Septimus Other characters Merging Ideas (Sepimus +

Clarissa)

Privacy, ● Mindset of perfect wife, perfect ● Displays the emotions of Peter Walsh: Communication + loneliness
Loneliness and host, perfect mother and ultimately loneliness and a lack of ● Portrays loneliness as he ● Septimus’ inability to
Communication the perfect woman communication, therefore is marrying someone he communicate results in
○ However, she is deprived of forcing him into a state of a does not love his isolation from others
praise and love from her dangerous (suicidal) mindset and the world
husband and daughter ○ Ultimately views suicide as Elizabeth: ○ Suicide is his
○ Therefore, she turns to the a viable option ● Views Mrs Kilman as a ultimate form of
one thing she is good at, ● Suicide is his ultimate form of mother figure and role communicatino to a
hosting, in attempt to fill her communication to a world model more than her world that cannot
lonely void and converse with which does not understand him actual mother hear him
unwanted people (or and would never communicate ○ Some juxtaposition ● Clarissa recognises the
ultimately, anyone who back between Elizabeth importance of
would listen) and Clarissa and communication in life,
● Cannot separate her individual ● Elizabeth desires to yet fails to do so with
identity to the identity which stray away from other people
society expects of her society's ○ Her attempt at
expectations on communicating
women whereas with people through
Clarissa does the party
everything in her
power to fit its ● Both Clarissa and
criteria Septimus fail to
○ Relationship is communicate with
strained due to others and are isolated
differing values and as a result
perspectives on
society

Social Criticism ● Gender role ● PTSD/Mental Rezia:

Criticism of English ● Mental health issues ○ Rejected by a society that ● Her experience with
society and post-War ● Identity is trying to pretend that the 'dealing' with Septimus
conservatism ○ Defined by marital status war didn’t happen and that
“Mrs Richard Dalloway” nothing has changed
○ Social mask eroded - society ○ Society’s intolerance and
left barren lack of understanding for
● Preoccupied with social class Septimus’ condition
● Feels oppressed by societal
pressures

Time ● Fear of age and death - vulnerability ● Tormented by past memories

of human and transience of life (war, death of his friend) =
 PTSD/shell shock
● Weight and burden of time -
dragging on his days

Psychology and ● Her perception is clouded by ● PTSD/Mental illness

Perception - gender, status and age ● Mistrust of doctors
Identity/Self of ● Her psychological state is ● Suicide as an escape from
Sense or Ego) fragmented → revealed through reality
inner dialogue and
stream-of-consciousness

Death ● Preoccupied with death ● Death as a form of escape Peter Walsh: As parallels
● She feels the danger of living even ● Defiance, communication ● Fears growing old and ● Woolf displays two
one day; reflects on the comfort of ● Septimus sees himself as a dying alone ways of dealing with the
death godlike figure who has gone ○ Tries to pretend he terror of living one day -
from “life to death” is young and Clarissa affirms life by
● Shows how the death and invincible by living throwing a party while
violence of the war can affect in fantasies and Septimus offers his
ones mind pursuing younger suicide as an act of
women defiance and
communication
● Although the two
characters never meet,
when Clarissa hears of
Septimus’s suicide, she
feels that she
understands him

Theme Character Quote Analysis

Privacy, Clarissa “… she sat back extraordinarily at her ease with him … all in a clap it came ● Clarissa craves company - she feels lonely
Loneliness and over her, If I had married him, this gaiety would have been mine all day! It ● Tone of excitement indicated through an exclamation
Communication was all over for her. The sheet was stretched and the bed narrow. She had point:" this gaiety would have been mine all day!"
gone up into the tower alone … The door had shut, and there among the dust ○ Excitement is only metaphorical and exists
of fallen plaster and the litter of birds’ nests how distant the view had inside her mind as she states that "if" she
looked, and the sounds came thin and chill …and Richard, Richard! She married him, yet, she did not
cried, as a sleeper in the night starts and stretches a hand in the dark for ○ Ironic as it is quite disappointing
help. Lunching with Lady bruton, it came back to her. He has left me; I am ○ Now feels a sense of loneliness
alone forever, she thought, folding her hands upon her knee.” ● She states how distant the view looks which is
symbolic of how far away she is from her desired life
or what could have been.
 “And there is a dignity in people; a solitude; even between husband and wife ● Caesura emphasises the importance of privacy and
a gulf; and that one must respect, thought Clarissa, watching him open the independence to Clarissa - she cannot afford to lose it
door; for one would not part with it oneself, or take it, against his will, from ● Hyperbole priceless is exaggerated as self-respect is
one's husband, without losing one's independence, one's self-respect — something that cannot be bought and is treasured
something, after all, priceless.” ○ Clarissa cannot let go of privacy, but craves
human connection
■ Richard and Clarissa are not
demonstrative with eachother; their
lives intersect but do not overlap
○ Inner privacy - love and intimacy are likely in
marriage, but past that point, one falls back to
austere, solitary and dignity of the inner life

Septimus "Besides, now that he was quite alone, condemned, deserted, as those who ● Juxtaposition between the darkness of loneliness and the
are about to die are alone, there was a luxury in it, an isolation full of peace in solidarity
subliminity; a freedom which the attached can never know." ○ The juxtaposition conveys the disillusionment
of Septimus’ perceptions of death and suicide
whereby he condemns his own failures in
communicating the state of his mental struggles
- thus, justifying his need to escape the struggles
of life through suicide
● List of three: emphasising his emotions
○ listing the nature of death use a series of words
with negative connotations towards the nature of
death being alone, condemned and deserted

Social Criticism Clarissa “How he scolded her! How they argued! She would marry a Prime Minister Clarissa would become the perfect hostess, a female role
Criticism of English and stand at the top of a staircase; the perfect hostess he called her (she had ● In a flashback, Peter comments rudely, with a satirical
society and post-War cried over it in her bedroom), she had the makings of the perfect hostess, tone about Clarissa’s life choices - criticising her gender
conservatism he said.” PG 5 role (as a wife) and choice to be a part of high society as
a hostess.

“She had the oddest sense of being herself invisible; unseen; unknown; Clarissa’s identity is determined by her husband
there being no more marrying, no more having of children now… not even ● Alliteration emphasises her loss of personal identity and
Clarissa any more; this being Mrs Richard Dalloway.” PG 8 the oppression of women
● Also represents her existential crisis - she feels as if she
lacks usefulness and purpose now that she is
transitioning into menopause

“Take me with you, Clarissa thought impulsively, as if he were starting Reflects gender roles and the societal expectations of women
directly upon some great voyage; and then, next moment, it was as if the five in society
acts of a play that had been very exciting and moving were now over and she ● Simile of life as play..
had lived a lifetime in them and had run away, had lived with Peter, and it ● “As a women gathers her things together” suggests the
was now over. Now it was time to move, and, as a woman gathers her expectation of women in society to have their life put
things together …” together, to not be vulnerable or sad or to dwell on the
 past but be perfect
● Clarissa conceals her true emotions behind her social
mask which she puts on through the hyperfixation over
throwing a party and being the perfect hostess. It mirrors
her desire to be a perfect woman in society’s eyes

Septimus "gave him the reputation (of the utmost importance in dealing with ● High modality is used to depict Sir William’s extensive
nerve cases) not merely of lightning skill, and almost infallible accuracy in medical prowess and public respect in the medical
diagnosis but of sympathy; tact; understanding of the human soul." profession, despite his lack of understanding Septimus’s
PTSD.
● The irony describing Sir William’s diagnosis as being
“of sympathy” highlights the misunderstanding between
the psychiatrists and Setpimus, wherein his symptoms of
PTSD are conceived as being weak, instead of
acknowledging his suffering.
● Society views men who display vulnerable emotion as
weak.

“Once you fall, Septimus repeated to himself, human nature is on you. ● Holmes and Bradshaw are metaphorically compared to
Holmes and Bradshaw are on you. They scour the desert. They fly human nature, which Septimus describes as being
screaming into the wilderness. The rack and the thumbscrew are applied. ‘remorseless’
Human nature is remorseless.” ○ Criticises society in that Septimus is not
understood or supported by society

Time Clarissa “For having lived in Westminster – how many years now? over twenty, – Reflects on how time passes and how it cannot be regained
one feels even in the midst of the traffic, or waking at night, Clarissa was ● Rhetorical question - demonstrates how she loses the
positive, a particular hush, or solemnity; an indescribable pause; a suspense passage of time; alludes to her lack of direction in life
(but that might be her heart, affected, they said, by influenza) before Big Ben ● Symbolism of Big Ben reveals Clarissa’s fear of
strikes. There! Out it boomed. First a warning, musical; then the hour, growing old and the inevitability of time passing and
irrevocable. The leaden circles dissolved in the air.” PG 2 coming to an end → “irrevocable”

Septimus ●

Psychology and Clarissa “She could see what she lacked. It was not beauty; it was not mind. It was ● Sensual imagery reveals Clarissa’s feelings toward
Perception - something central which permeated; something warm which broke up women - she is taught to think of this as a flaw
Identity/Self of Sense surfaces and rippled the cold contact of man and woman, or of women ● Metaphor of a match burning - through Sally, Clarissa
or Ego together. For that she could dimly perceive. …yet she could not resist was able to feel and she almost allowed her true identity
sometimes yielding to the charm of a woman, …she did undoubtedly then to be shown
feel what men felt. … It was a sudden revelation …swollen with some
astonishing significance, some pressure of rapture, which split its thin skin
and gushed and poured with an extraordinary alleviation over the cracks and
sores! … she had seen an illumination; a match burning in a crocus; an
inner meaning almost expressed.” PG 27

“She pursed her lips when she looked in the glass. It was to give her face ● Imagery reveals Clarissa creating an external mask to
 point. That was her self - pointed; datlike; definite. That was herself when hide the inner turmoil; she obsesses over appearances to
some effort, some call on her to be herself, drew the parts together, … one distract from the internal flaws
woman who sat in her drawing-room and made a meeting-point, a radiancy
no doubt in some dull lives, a refuge for the lonely to come to, …” PG 40

Septimus "some weakly broke down; sobbed, submitted; others … questioned, even ● Rhetorical questions - no longer views life as worth
more impiously, life itself. Why live? they demanded. Sir William replied living, even for his wife
that life was good." ● Irony - Sir William had said life was good, however, no
aspect of Septimus believes this and he is at the end of
"… But to us, they protested, life has given no such bounty. He acquiesced. his life.
They lacked a sense of proportion. And perhaps, after all, there is no God?
He shrugged his shoulders. In short, this living or not living is an affair of
our own? But there they were mistaken."

"… There were, moreover, family affection; honour; courage; and a brilliant
career. All of these had in Sir William a resolute champion."

“… she felt he was going from her … He would argue with her about killing ● The repetition of ‘he knew’ demonstrates the extent to
themselves; and explain how wicked people were; how he could see them which Septimus’ mind was affected by the war
making up lies as they passed in the street. He knew all their thoughts, he ● Irony of “how wicked people were” in that Septimus’
said; he knew everything. He knew the meaning of the world, he said.” thoughts are wicked and he is unaware of the evil taking
PG 60 over his mind; these thoughts are peaceful to him
(because they will allow him to escape from the
wickedness of the world)

“The table drawer was full of those writings; about war; about Shakespeare; ● The table drawer can become a metaphor of his
about great discoveries; how there is no death… and waved his hands and fragmented mind; a clutter of thoughts
cried out that he knew the truth! He knew everything!” ● His prophet-like visions express his inability to be in
touch with reality, which inhibits his inability to feel and
communicate

Death Clarissa “She felt very young; at the same time unspeakabley aged. She sliced like Paradox
a knife through everything; at the same time was outside, looking on. She ● Clarissa feels mentally young but physically old
had a perpetual sense, as she watched the taxi cabs, of being out, out far out ● Whilst she is afraid of living, she fears death; she
to sea and alone; she always had the feeling that it was very, very dangerous remains in a void which she cannot escape
to live even one day. Not that she thought herself clever, or much out of the ● Repetition of ‘out’ shows her feelings of detachment and
ordinary.” PG 6 isolation within society

“But every one remembered; what she loved was this, here, now, in front of Questions the purpose or worth of life considering it ends
her; the fat lady in the cab. Did it matter then, she asked herself, walking ● Her fear of death juxtaposes her love of the small things
towards Bond Street, did it matter that she must inevitably cease completely; in life
all this must go on without her; did she resent it; or did it not become ● Rhetorical questions reflect existential questions that
consoling to believe that death ended absolutely?” PG 6 burden Clarissa - Clarissa wonders if it all matters
considering it all ends with death
○ Repetition of “did it matter” reiterates this
 “Oh! thought Clarissa, in the middle of my party, here’s death, she thought.” ● Clarissa conceptualises the nature of death as being
constantly present in life and inescapable

Septimus "… it might be possible that the world itself is without meaning… For the ● Lost faith in humanity
truth is … that human beings have neither kindness, nor faith, nor charity ● Disconnected from physical world
beyond what serves to increase the pleasure of the moment. … … They ● The world turns its back in those they deem weak
desert the fallen. "

“…Besides, now that he was quite alone, condemned, deserted, as those

who are about to die are alone, there was a luxury in it, an isolation full of
subliminity; a freedom which the attached can never know.”

“But he would wait till the very last moment. He did not want to die. Life ● Irony; although Septimus did not want to die, he did not
was good. The sun hot. Only human beings – what did they want? Coming want to live either
down the staircase opposite an old man stopped and stared at him. Holmes ● In the end, he chose death over live because he could not
was at the door. “I’ll give it you!” he cried, and flung himself vigorously, live another day knowing he cannot feel, communicate
violently down on to Mrs. Filmer’s area railings.” or connect with the world

Clarissa and “She had once thrown a shilling into the Serpentine, never anything ● Comparison between Clarissa throwing a coin into a
Septimus more. But he had flung it away. … lake and Septimus’ death
A thing there was that mattered; a thing, wreathed about with chatter, ● Textual allusion to Othello
defaced, obscured in her own life, let drop every day in corruption, lies, ● Suicide is symbolic of Septimus’ ultimate attempt to
chatter. This he had preserved. communicate his feelings and suffering to the world;
Clarissa hears him and understands - in this way she can
Death was defiance. Death was an attempt to communicate; people be his double
feeling the impossibility of reaching the centre which, mystically, evaded ○ Clarissa seems to understand that Septimus
them; closeness drew apart; rapture faded, one was alone. There was an suffered more in life and “he plunged holding his
embrace in death. treasure” → he found happiness in death
But this young man who had killed himself—had he plunged holding ● Septimus’ suicide as Clarissa’s rebirth
his treasure "If it were now to die, 'twere now to be most happy," she
had said to herself once, coming down in white.”

“… and the words came to her, Fear no more the heat of the sun. She must go ● Clarissa’s response to Septimus’ death is ironic; death
back to them. But what an extraordinary night! She felt somehow very like usually brings emotions such as sadness, but Clarissa is
him—the young man who had killed himself. She felt glad that he had “glad” that Septimus’ took his life. In this way,
done it; thrown it away. The clock was striking. The leaden circles Septimus’ death has allowed her to “feel the beauty”.
dissolved in the air. He made her feel the beauty; made her feel the fun. But She also feels for Septimus and is glad that he had the
she must go back. She must assemble.” courage to take control and end his pain
● “The clock was striking” is a motif demonstrating the
transience of life and the inability for humans to capture
time and reclaim the past and their youth. Also
described in present tense, symbolising a chiming clock
as marking the end of one’s life - Septimus’ time was up
 ● Repetition of “she must” with a tone of urgency
symbolises Clarissa’s attempt to reclaim her identity and
the fragmented pieces of her life; she will start by
returning to the party

Clarissa’s Existential/Mid-Life “…let in, she thought, feeling herself suddenly shrivelled, aged, breastless, Clarissa, whilst transitioning into menopause, feels as
Crisis the grinding, blowing, flowering of the day, out of doors, out of the window, though she lacks purpose and usefulness because her body
out of her body and brain which now failed, since Lady Bruton, whose can no longer procreate
lunch parties were said to be extraordinarily amusing, had not asked her.” PG ● The use of listing reveals the fragmented nature of her
26 mind and the irrationality she is feeling as a result of her
transition into menopause

“Like a nun withdrawing, or a child exploring a tower, she went, upstairs, ● The child is an antithesis of the imagery of the nun as
paused at the window … There was an emptiness about the heart of life; an she feels both old in age and a sense of reminiscence for
attic room. … her youth → inner struggles of the duality of her
So the room was an attic; the bed narrow; and lying there reading, for she personality and goals → also symbolic of her innocence
slept badly, she could not dispel a virginity preserved through childbirth ● “So the room was an attic; the bed narrow”; The
which clung to her like a sheet.” PG 27 imagery of the narrow bed reveals the dissatisfaction
that Clarissa has. She feels overwhelmed and
claustrophobic from her marriage and social life. She
yearns for privacy.

“For she was a child, throwing bread to the ducks, between her parents, and ● Juxtaposition of her life as a child and her life now
at the same time a grown woman coming to her parents who stood by the ○ Her childhood appears to be glossed over; too
lake, holding her life in her arms which, as she neared them, grew larger perfect
and larger in her arms, until it became a whole life, a complete life, which ● Metaphor of Clarissa holding her life in her arms -
she put down by them and said, "This is what I have made of it! This!" Peter’s visit has reminded her of the path she could have
And what had she made of it? What, indeed? sitting there sewing this chosen for her life and how that would like different
morning with Peter.” PG 38 today
● Rhetorical questions reflect a tone of disappointment
and regret as she questions what she has made of her life