Mrs Dalloway

Septimus Warren Smith is the main character of the novel’s secondary plot. He does not know Clarissa, but they have significant parallels. Septimus is around thirty years old and is a veteran who fought in World War I. The horrific experiences he endured in the war have permanently scarred him and he has been unable to receive sufficient help from doctors. Septimus spends the day with his wife, Lucrezia Warren Smith, before killing himself to escape his life’s suffering.

Septimus was eager to enlist to fight in World War I, being one of the first to volunteer. He was commended for his bravery and was seen as an outstanding solider. As a result, Septimus was quickly promoted. Septimus shared a close bond with his officer, Evans, who died during the war. The events of the war led to Septimus developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which was severely misunderstood at the time.

Early in the novel, Septimus hears a car as the sound of a whip cracking. Whilst others are startled, Septimus is terrified as it triggers memories of the war, a common symptom of PTSD. Septimus’ fears are too overpowering and chaotic. He is unable to maintain his sanity or control his hallucinations; the fearful sounds of war remain deeply embedded in his subconscious. Septimus also struggles to maintain traditional masculinity in a society that ridicules and dismisses those who display suffering and mental health issues. His deep suffering from the war is seen as a sign of weakness and a personal failing.

Septimus’ PTSD causes him great mental anguish, affects his psyche, and has harmed his relationship with Lucrezia. Septimus found it difficult to return to normal life after the war ended. He experiences hallucinations, including seeing trees move and witnessing Evans. Septimus hears voices and constantly speaks of suicide. He is trapped in his private world due to his insanity.

These visions and delusions are often mundane but sometimes present themselves as messages from the gods. Septimus believes he is being personally targeted so that he can reveal the secrets of life to the world. He is desperate to communicate these messages to others but is effectively silenced and ignored. Even Lucrezia does not entertain his delusions, although she does find some of his mad drawings and writings to be beautiful.

Septimus and Lucrezia’s relationship has been damaged by his struggles with mental health. Septimus is angered by the way Lucrezia dismisses him as they are not able to properly engage.  This represents the overwhelming
impact of Septimus’ disorder and underlines the need for rehabilitation. Lucrezia is desperate to repair and reignite their relationship. She takes Septimus to see multiple specialists to help Septimus recover.

Septimus first sees Dr Holmes then Sir William Bradshaw. Both give inadequate diagnoses, failing to understand the legitimacy and severity of Septimus’ illness. Dr Holmes is persistent in his diagnosis that nothing is wrong with Septimus. Dr Holmes suggests Septimus’ illness is a result of cowardice and that he needs to take an interest in things beyond himself, such as playing cricket or attending a music hall. Sir William emphasises the importance of having a sense of proportion and orders Septimus to rest and be moved to a home in the country. The doctors stifle Septimus and believe that order is superior to rehabilitation with no sensitivity to the mind. Septimus is alienated from society and even Lucrezia as he struggles to communicate his pain and torment.

The poor treatment Septimus receives reflects how ill-equipped doctors were at the time given their minimal understanding of mental illness. Septimus is portrayed as a victim of a repressive society where conformity and order are prioritised at the expense of individuality and personal growth. Septimus’ ser- vice in the war is admirable yet he is abandoned by his country. The appalling treatment he experiences exacerbates his trauma and fails to show basic dignity and humanity. Woolf’s own experiences with society’s dismissiveness of mental health are likely inspirations to Septimus’ characterisation.

Septimus echoes the anguish Clarissa faces. They both – largely on their own – grapple with incredible suffering and struggle with mental illness. Septimus and Clarissa never meet, but are united in the societal pressures that affect their sanity and daily lives. For Septimus, there is some hope that he has the potential to overcome it all through the love and support of Lucrezia. We see a brief time where Septimus and Lucrezia return to normal and genuinely bond and experience the vitality of life in making a hat for Mrs Peters. It is a beautiful moment which centralises sincere relationships as cornerstones of humanity and sanity.

Septimus is despondent and fearful, preventing him from communicating authentically. His delusions and society’s judgement torture him to the point of suicide, which is a desperate last resort of liberation and escape. For him, this is a defiant gesture that he believes gives meaning to his experiences and adequately communicates how profound his suffering was.