Page 374 - DENG404_FICTION

Fiction

Notes The world of the sane and the insane side by side

Woolf portrays the sane grasping for significant and substantial connections to life, living
among those who have been cut off from such connections and who suffer because of the
improper treatment they, henceforth, receive. The critic, Ruotolo, excellently develops the idea
behind the theme: “Estranged from the sanity of others, rooted to the pavement,’ the veteran
[Septimus] asks for what purpose’ he is present. Virginia Woolf’s novel honors and extends
his question. He perceives a beauty in existence that his age has almost totally disregarded;
his vision of new life... is a source of joy as well as madness. Unfortunately, the glimpse of
beauty that makes Septimus less forlorn is anathema to an age that worships like Septimus’
inhuman doctor, Sir William Bradshaw, the twin goddesses Proportion’ and Conversion.’”

30.2 Character List

Clarissa Dalloway

The heroine of the novel, Clarissa is analyzed in terms of her life, personality, and thought
process throughout the book by the author and other characters. She is viewed from many
angles. Clarissa enjoys the moment-to-moment aspect of life and believes that a piece of her
remains in every place she has visited. She lacks a certain warmth, but is a caring woman who
is touched by the people around her and their connection to life in general. Clarissa feels that
her parties are her gift to the world and is proud to share herself with others. She loves to be
accepted but has the acuity of mind to perceive her own flaws, especially since her recent
illness. Clarissa is a representative of an uppity English gentry class and yet, defies categorization
because of her humanity and her relation to her literary double, Septimus Warren Smith. She
is superficially based on Woolf’s childhood friend, Kitty Maxse.

Richard Dalloway

Clarissa’s husband, Richard is in love with his wife but feels uncomfortable showing his
affection. A member of the government, he continually must attend councils, committees, and
important meetings. He is called on by Lady Bruton for counsel, but is viewed by Sally Seton
as not reaching his potential. She and Peter feel that he would have rather been in the country
on a farm. Clarissa was attracted to him for his direct ideas, command of situations, and
facility with animals.

Elizabeth Dalloway

Clarissa and Richard’s daughter, she is described as strangely dark and exotic looking. She
garners much attention from suitors but would rather spend her time in the country with her
father and dog than at her mother’s party. She is close to Miss Kilman but finds Miss Kilman
odd and awkward at times. She sometimes imagines that she may be a veterinarian so that she
can care for animals.

Peter Walsh

Clarissa’s beau before Richard, Peter does not see Clarissa often after their break up. He had
moved to India, married, separated, and then fallen in love again. The day of the novel, he
returns to London and visits Clarissa. There is still an intensity between them and Peter
reveals later to Sally Seton that Clarissa ruined his life by refusing to marry him. He rethinks

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