Clarissa and Mrs Dalloway in Virginia Woolf's "Mrs Dalloway" and comparison with the modernist ideas of T.S. Eliot in "The Wasteland".
by
dhove (student)
Clarissa and Mrs Dalloway in Virginia Woolf and comparison with the modernist ideas of T.S. Eliot.
The nature of identity is a main theme in Mrs Dalloway. This novel explores the question of our ability to truly understand the “self”. Indeed, our surroundings, our physical environment and our human relationships actually impact the notion of self and personal identity. The characters in this novel only have a limited understanding of one another, each creating a personal identity through their reflections in the eyes of others. This idea is shown by Clarissa, as the reader witnesses throughout the novel her identity develop in parallel with her contact with the outside world. But it is clear that none of the characters know much about each other, because it becomes obvious that what each knows of another is a fragmented version. Indeed, Clarissa is seen by her husband Richard Dalloway as “Mrs Dalloway”, as a charming and delicate wife, whereas her servants help her to portray the image of the “gentle, generous-hearted” society wife, and while Peter sees her as the snob and perfect hostess. Accessorily, it is Peter who is the most aware of Clarissa’s multifaceted nature. Moreover, Clarissa plays several roles to many different people. Clarissa is defined getting ready for her party as “collecting the whole of her at one point (as she looked into the glass), seeing the delicate pink face of the woman who was that very night to give a party; of Clarissa Dalloway; of herself”. In this mirror, there are three progressive images reflecting in it: the woman, the hostess and the inner self. Woolf uses the party and its preparation to set out an evening towards the eventual assembly of Clarissa’s identity. The party is a way for all of Clarissa’s personality aspects to come together at once.
