Mrs Dalloway's Simplicity

Paper Summary:

The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the novel "Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf. Specifically the paper discusses the passage "Half the time she did things not simply, not for themselves; but to make people think this or that; perfect idiocy she knew (and now the policeman held up his hand) for no one was ever for a second taken in." The paper states that this passage indicates how much importance Clarissa Dalloway places on the opinions of others, and how insecure she really is. The paper describes who Mrs. Dalloway is, her character and her inability to concentrate.

From the Paper:

"Woolf does show some deep emotions and perceptions in Mrs. Dalloway, but they are infrequent, as this passage notes. Woolf writes, "Then, for that moment, she had seen an illumination; a match burning in a crocus; an inner meaning almost expressed. But the close withdrew; the hard softened. It was over--the moment" (Woolf 32). However, through much of the novel, Mrs. Dalloway is much more concerned with the opinions of others, rather than her own thoughts and opinions. The illustrative passage notes this, and gives a strong clue to Mrs. Dalloway's character that will continue throughout the novel. She is insecure and yet self-centered, extremely simply yet capable of complexity, and completely captivated with how others see her, rather than how she sees herself. She lives for approval from others, and in doing so, receives little approval from herself. This is especially apparent in her relationship with Peter. Woolf writes, "Always when she thought of him she thought of their quarrels for some reason-- because she wanted his good opinion so much, perhaps". She is so desperate for the approval of others that she never stops to think of what that means to her own self-esteem and opinion of herself."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Woolf, Virginia. Mrs. Dalloway. New York: Harvest Books, 1990.

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