“Fear no more the heat o’ the sun,
Nor the furious winter’s rages.”
— William Shakespeare, Cymbeline (epigraph in Mrs Dalloway)
Morning in Westminster
Clarissa Dalloway, a high-society woman in post-WWI London, prepares for her evening party. She leaves her home to buy flowers, enjoying the bustling streets of Westminster. Memories of her youth, particularly her relationship with Sally Seton and her choice of the reliable Richard Dalloway over the passionate Peter Walsh, resurface.
Septimus Warren Smith
Meanwhile, Septimus Warren Smith, a shell-shocked war veteran, wanders London with his wife, Lucrezia. Haunted by hallucinations of his dead comrade Evans, he struggles with mental anguish. His Italian wife worries as doctors dismiss his condition—Sir William Bradshaw recommends institutionalization, worsening Septimus’ despair.
Peter Walsh’s Return
Peter Walsh, Clarissa’s former suitor, visits her unexpectedly. Their tense reunion stirs old emotions—Peter still resents her rejection, while Clarissa feels both nostalgia and relief at her choice. Peter later observes London life, musing on time, regret, and his unfulfilled love for Clarissa.
Regent’s Park Interlude
Septimus and Lucrezia sit in Regent’s Park, where his delusions intensify. He sees beauty in nature but is tormented by visions. Lucrezia pleads with him to resist despair, but Septimus feels trapped, foreshadowing his tragic fate.
Clarissa’s Reflections
Back home, Clarissa mends her party dress and reflects on mortality after learning of Septimus’ suicide. Though they never meet, she feels a strange kinship with him—both grappling with life’s fragility. Her party proceeds, masking inner turmoil with social grace.
The Evening Party
Guests arrive at Clarissa’s party, including the Prime Minister. Peter Walsh attends, still conflicted. When Sir William Bradshaw mentions Septimus’ death, Clarissa retreats, contemplating the cost of repression versus madness. She returns, choosing to embrace life’s fleeting moments, ending the novel with quiet resilience.
Key Ideas
- The fluidity of time and memory in human consciousness.
- The impact of war trauma on individuals and society.
- Social constraints vs. personal freedom in post-war England.
- The duality of public facades and private despair.
- Existential themes of mortality and meaning.
Notable Adaptations
| Year | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Mrs Dalloway (film) | Starring Vanessa Redgrave, directed by Marleen Gorris. |
| 2011 | The Hours (film) | Inspired by Woolf’s novel, starring Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman. |
| 2015 | Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (play) | Indirect thematic adaptation by Edward Albee. |
Who should read this book?
- Fans of modernist literature and introspective narratives.
- Readers interested in post-WWI societal shifts.
- Those exploring themes of mental health and identity.
- Lovers of rich, stream-of-consciousness prose.