The Idea of Redemption in the Novel of Virginia Woolf - Literature review Example

Mrs. Dalloway is one of the most interesting stories to be written by the famed Virginia Woolf because it focuseson life in Britain during the interwar period. It is a reflection concerning British society as it was during this period, with specific focus on upper, well-connected class. It creates a feeling that despite everything seeming to be going on well, they merely cover the sometimes sad aspects of the realities that involve the different characters. Because of the novel’s focus on two individuals who might be considered its main characters, namely Mrs. Dalloway and Septimus Warren Smith, one would conclude that Woolf is attempting to develop a picture of how the past can come to significantly affect the present (Whitworth 15). Therefore, Mrs. Dalloway can be considered to be an example of the realities of life in the interwar period which many individuals in the British society of the time were not comfortable talking about. One of the most significant themes in this novel is that of love and in particular, unfulfilled love. This can be seen through Mrs. Dalloway’s reminiscing over her shared kiss with Sally Seton, a highly independent woman, before the former got married. This is a revelation which would have been considered taboo in the 1920s, where homosexual relationships were frowned upon. Mrs. Dalloway states that the mutual kiss was the most joyous moment in her life and this is most likely the reason why she thinks about that moment. Furthermore, it is a reflection of the fact that while such relationships were rarely ever talked about, they existed in the society and that many individuals were often involved in them. The same can be said of Septimus Smith who despite having survived the Great War has a serious mental disorder, known as shell shock, which has rendered him unresponsive to his wife as well as seeing hallucinations of his friend Evans who died in the war (Woolf 52). The description of his relationship with Evans is one which is a lot closer than that between friends and it is implied that they were also lovers. This is especially true when Septimus reflects that making love to his wife is filthy; hence, explaining his increasing distance from her as he comes to see more hallucinations of Evans as well as living in the past rather than in the present. In this case, both Mrs. Dalloway and Septimus seem to be unhappy with their current love lives and they seem to prefer the moments that they spent with the individuals that they truly loved as seen when it is stated that “to love makes one solitary” (Woolf 17). The idea of redemption is very prevalent throughout the story and this is especially true of the two main characters whose lives seem to be a sort of prison. Mrs. Dalloway, despite having married well, seems not to be a happy woman because her husband is always working and seems not to care about spending any time with her. This scenario creates a situation where she appears to be a woman more concerned about maintaining her social status in the society rather than trying to deal with her private life. One comes to the conclusion that she is extremely lonely because even her daughter, Elizabeth, prefers being with her father to being with her and this might also be an additional source of loneliness. It is most likely because of this lonely situation in life that it is stated that “Mrs. Dalloway is always giving parties to cover the silence,” (Whitworth 18) which shows that she only throws parties so that she can have some company in her home. Mrs. Dalloway’s parties can be considered to be her redemption from her boring and perhaps miserable life, despite her position in society and wealth because she is able to have company even though her husband and daughter are not close to her (Woolf 8). Septimus also seems to be having problems due to his mental illness because he is not only shunned by the rest of society, but his doctors also seem not to take any regard of him as an adult and address his wife on his behalf. None of his doctors bother to take time to listen to him and it is likely because of this that he comes to feel helpless. The result is that he ends up committing suicide and while it is a sad ending for him, one would state that he has found his redemption since he has escaped the prison of his mental illness. The traditional notion of career also has a place in Mrs. Dalloway as seen through the actions of a number of its characters. Mr. Dalloway is an example of the traditional working man who is completely engrossed with his work in government and seems not to spare any time for his wife. He is a man who, true to the traditions of the time, is dedicated to furthering his career goals and does not seem to let anything stand in his way. He is a traditional man of his time who seems to have married for convenience rather than out of love and feels that the best way to dedicate his time from his loveless marriage is through ensuring that he concentrates on his career goals. At the same time, the story shows that upper class women at the time still did not constitute a significant number of those who had careers. Instead, like Mrs. Dalloway, they seem to have been left in the background where their only occupation in life is administering the household. Mrs. Dalloway can be considered to be a typical traditional woman who, instead of pursuing a career chooses to marry well because this is what is expected of her by the society. She chooses to suppress her true feelings in order to be with a man who she does not love but who has a well established position which will ensure that she lives a good life (Woolf 35). During this age, it was extremely rare for women to have a career and those few who had it were an exception. Even Sally Seton, Mrs. Dalloway’s former love interest, chose to abandon her independent ways and became a housewife and a mother with five sons. Friendship is also an ongoing theme throughout the novel and it is reflected through almost all of the characters involved. One of these if that between Peter Walsh and Mrs. Dalloway, who are old friends and at one time, the latter rejected the marriage proposal of the former, instead choosing to be with the more dependable Mr. Dalloway (Woolf 87). However, despite the rejection, the two remain fast friends and Peter’s continued love for Mrs. Dalloway does not interfere with their friendship. Furthermore, the friendship between Septimus and Evans is a major theme throughout the story as shown through the former’s continued hallucinations concerning the latter. One would come to the conclusion that Septimus, many years after the Great War seems to continue to feeling the loss of a dear friend and it is possible that his death may have been a major cause of his mental problems. Mrs. Dalloway seems to be an individual who keeps friendships even with those individuals who she dislikes or finds obnoxious, as seen through her friendship with the pompous Hugh Whitbread (Whitbread 79). It is possible that she maintains these friendships more out of her loneliness rather than any genuine feelings towards her friends. The parties that she throws are more for the purpose of having the company of others, especially those who would be termed as friends, so that she get over the aloofness of her husband and the distance of her daughter. Therefore, it is possible that Mrs. Dalloway does not have any genuine friendships with individuals in whom she can confide and she compensates for this through her frequent parties. Spirituality is a fundamental theme throughout the story and this has been ma infested through Mrs. Dalloway who seems to reflect on it constantly. Even though from the outset she seems not to be a believer either in God or an adherent to religion, especially Christianity, one comes to the conclusion that she is extremely spiritual. This is especially the case when she discusses the diverse connections that human beings have with one another and how relationships transform individuals (Groover 11). One would suggest that Mrs. Dalloway, despite her convictions concerning Christianity and religion in general, is heavily influenced by spiritual beliefs, going against the Christian norm that spirituality can only be achieved through communion with Christ. Instead, she seems to be of the belief that spirituality can be achieved through human relationships and that individuals do not have to undergo church rituals in order to achieve it. The parties that she throws can be defined as spiritual events which are not only organized for the purpose of entertaining her friends, but also as a means of encouraging the development of connections between them that transcend their separate natures (Groover 11). In these parties, it seems that all people are invited and accepted for who they are, as seen from the fact that individuals who dislike Mrs. Dalloway or whose character she dislikes are all invited (Groover 12). These parties are therefore not only for the purpose of entertainment, but are also likely a means through which Mrs. Dalloway attempts to bring diverse individuals together in a manner which goes beyond the physical and into the spiritual. In conclusion, one would state that Mrs. Dalloway is a novel set well before its time because it addresses issues which were considered taboo at the time when it was written. One of the themes which are prominent within it is that of homosexual love, which, despite those who feel it not admitting to their feelings, shows that it existed during this period. Furthermore, the novel also addresses the place of women in society as well as societal expectations towards them as seen through their choices in marriage. They end up choosing convenience rather than love, a situation which is extremely rare in the contemporary world where couples often marry for love rather than for money or social position. However, this story can be considered to be one full of optimism for the future because it shows the issues which are hidden in the society while at the same time ensuring that they are brought to light and accepted. It is also a revelation of such issues as mental disorders and the manner through which individuals should be supported rather than discriminated against, as seen through the story of Septimus. Works Cited Groover, Kristina. “Enacting the sacred in Mrs. Dalloway.” Virginia Woolf Miscellany 80 (2011): 11+. Literature Resource Center. Whitworth, Michael. Virginia Woolf (Authors in Context). London: Oxford University Press, 2005. Woolf, Virginia. Mrs Dalloway. London: Oxford University Press, 2009. Read More