“Mrs Dalloway” is a novel by English writer Virginia Woolf, published in 1925. The modern classic takes place over a single day in June 1923 in London and explores the thoughts and experiences of its characters.
The novel primarily follows the life of Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class woman in her 50s. As she prepares for a party she is hosting that evening, Clarissa reflects on her life, choices, and relationships.
She is married to Richard Dalloway, a member of Parliament, but she has a lingering connection with a former suitor named Peter Walsh.
Clarissa encounters various people throughout the day, including her daughter Elizabeth, her friend Sally Seton, and the shell-shocked war veteran Septimus Warren Smith.
Septimus and his wife Lucrezia struggle with his mental illness and the pressure to conform to societal norms. Septimus becomes a parallel character to Clarissa, representing the effects of war and the constraints of society on individual freedom and happiness.
The novel is known for its stream-of-consciousness narrative style, which allows the reader to delve into the thoughts of the characters.
It explores themes such as identity, memory, the passage of time, and the effects of social conventions on individuals.
“Mrs Dalloway” is a modernist literary work admired for its experimental narrative techniques, character exploration, and insightful portrayal of the human psyche. It is often celebrated as one of Woolf’s most significant novels.
Woolf wrote several other notable novels such as “To the Lighthouse,” “The Waves,” and “Jacob’s Room.” She also wrote numerous essays, short stories, and non-fiction works.
Woolf’s writing style was characterized by her lyrical prose and introspective exploration of the human experience.
