Mrs Dalloway

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.