Mrs Dalloway
Virgina Woolf
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Character Analysis: Sally Seton
Sally Seton is a childhood friend of Clarissa’s. She is in her fifties and is now married with five children. Like Clarissa, Sally has changed significantly since her time at Bourton. She used to be extremely daring, inquisitive, and rebellious, but has transformed into a more conventional person. Her identity has been moulded and now more closely aligns with the traditions of the upper class. Sally and Clarissa had an intimate relationship at Bourton but are now both married and distant from each other. Sally arrives unexpectedly at Clarissa’s party where she catches up with Peter and is excited by seeing Clarissa again.
The Sally we see in flashbacks to Bourton conflicts with the social expecta- tions of women at the time. Rather than remaining passive, obedient, and soft- spoken, Sally liked to test boundaries and was fiercely unafraid of people in power. She was provocative, adventurous, and free-spirited. This enchanting aura is what made Clarissa fall in love with Sally. This fondness has lasted throughout the decades which emphasises the importance of Sally’s genuine personality. It is only sincere individuality that is remembered; conformity is forgotten and is uninspiring.
Sally had eccentric views of the world and would fantasise about changing the world with Clarissa. They once dreamt of conquering the world together and reforming it to their image. They viewed the concept of marriage as stifling and as a catastrophe, an act of surrendering to a man. In contrast, their passion and aspirations are liberating. Sally also engaged in more radical ideas such as abolishing private property. Sally also despised people like Hugh Whitbread, describing him as detestable and representing everything that is wrong with the English middle class.
The comments and beliefs of Sally reinforce her rebellious and strong nature, but over the years she has softened. She has joined the middle class that she used to staunchly oppose and believe lacked anything pure. Sally has also married and had five boys. She has attained the title Lady Rosseter, which is emblematic of the elitism she viewed to be superficial and alienating. Now in her fifties, Sally has adjusted to the realities of the world and is now ingrained in the upper class lifestyle.
Whilst Sally has undergone this transformation, she seems to have retained her identity and purity. At Clarissa’s party, Sally still appears authentic and true to herself. This is especially seen through her conversation with Peter. Therefore, Sally represents the notion that it is possible to maintain one’s individuality without conforming entirely to the repressive pressures of society.
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Mrs Dalloway
Sample Essay
Woolf’s writing is quite complex and difficult to read. Some sections may need to be read a few times to properly understand what is being said or described. This difficulty is to do with Woolf’s style – as a prominent Modernist author, Woolf experimented with narrative structure and form. This includes flashbacks a stream of consciousness style where we delve into the minds of each character. Woolf also transitions seamlessly between the past and present and consistently shifts perspectives to further complicate the novel.
The complexity of Woolf’s style often results in multiple viable interpretations of meaning. It can also have the unintended effect of undermining the actual message intended by Woolf. Though we cannot know for sure, it’s possible Woolf wrote in this way because her novel may have alienated readers in her 1925 context if she was too direct with her messages. This is because the society of the time was less receptive to criticisms of conventions and traditions. Therefore, to make sure her work was not silenced, Woolf may have employed this style to keep the true meaning hidden beneath layers of meaning that need to be uncovered.
As you read Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway, you are transported into the minds of Woolf’s characters. You witness the destabilisation of post-war London and the psychological trauma that has infected society. You come to understand the misery and suffering of the characters who are united in their inability to fulfil their dreams. Mrs Dalloway represents the drudgery of adulthood and the never-ending battle for happiness and connection.
The main character, Clarissa Dalloway, is in her fifties. She is realising that she is not satisfied with her life as insecurity bubbles to the surface of her well-constructed exterior. She wants to be admired and seen as a member of high society, but this is not enough to make her happy. Like most people, Clarissa can only find true happiness if she forgets about the judgement of others and pursues her passions freely. This requires change, taking risks, and being bold.
Mrs Dalloway is a story seemingly with no plot, no tangible development, and no clear resolution. Rather, it focuses on a fairly ordinary day where we see fairly ordinary people navigating life’s challenges. This focus on the uninteresting, uninspiring moments of life capture a reality that faces us all; that is, the struggle to achieve our aspirations. The novel is driven by the glimpses we get into the worlds of each character. We see their struggles, flaws, and hopes. It is a reflection of our own existence as we navigate the uncertainty and turmoil of society whilst battling insecurity, fear, and disappointment.
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