Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway is one of the great classics of literature that still manages to fascinate readers. I propose that the subtle strength of observation and the creation of its characters contribute to the strength and provide the main point of interest in this novel. According to Abbott, “one truism about narrative is that it is a way we have of knowing ourselves”. Abbott emphasises characters, as well as action, as being among the principle components within narrative. He goes even further by arguing that“ it’s only through narrative that we know ourselves as active entities that operate through time”. This paper will examine in detail the creation of characters with reference to Mrs Dalloway.
There are however many more methods of characterisation that elaborate on those three fundamentals and in this paper I will describe which methods Virginia Woolf uses to craft Mrs. Dalloway. I will begin with an overview of the stream-of-consciousness and free-indirect- discourse methods and then, by closely analysing the literary text, show how Woolf uses this technique as a mode of characterisation. Memory as a technique of characterisation will then be discussed followed by an examination of characterisation through perception and perspective. These two aspects however are strongly linked to, and can therefore be considered a subcategory of, the method of free-indirect-discourse. Particular attention will be given to showing how the perception of London serves Woolf as a tool for characterisation. Finally I will investigate the role of foil characters.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
1. Stream-of-consciousness
1.1. Free-indirect-discourse (FID)
1.2. Characterisation through perception and perspective
1.2.1. Characterisation through perception
1.2.2. The individual perception of London as a means of characterisation
1.2.3. Charactersation through perspective
1.3. Memory as a technique for characterisation
2. The role of foil characters
Clarissa/Septimus
CONCLUSION
Objectives and Research Focus
This thesis investigates the narrative methods employed by Virginia Woolf in her novel Mrs. Dalloway to construct and reveal the complex nature of her characters, specifically analyzing how various literary techniques allow the reader to gain deep insight into the protagonists' minds.
- Analysis of the stream-of-consciousness technique and free-indirect-discourse.
- Examination of character development through perception and individual perspective.
- Investigation of the role of memory as a technique for characterization.
- Exploration of London as a symbolic framework and tool for defining characters.
- Discussion of the role and function of foil characters, specifically Clarissa and Septimus.
Excerpt from the Book
1.2.1. Characterisation through perception
In terms of focalization, it is of more importance how a character perceives, in Mrs. Dalloway, than what they perceive. How a character perceives is influenced by the mood they are in and by their awareness. On the basis of their experience and their personality they perceive different aspects of reality and these differences serve for character development (Wiest-Rogge 121 -3). An example to illustrate this is the car that backfires at Bond Street and the aeroplane that writes letters into the sky. Both are perceived by different characters in a different way. Clarissa hears the car backfire while choosing flowers for her party in Bond Street.
The violent explosion which made Mrs. Dalloway jump and Miss Pym go to the window and apologize came from a motor car which had drawn to the side of the pavement precisely opposite Mulberry’s shop window. Passers-by, who of course, stopped and stared, had just time to see a face of the very greatest importance against the dove-grey upholstery, before a male hand drew a blind and there was nothing to be seen except a square of dove grey.[…]But nobody knew whose face had been seen. Was it the Prince of Wales’s, the Queen’s, the Prime Minister’s? Whose face was it? Nobody knew.[…] It is probably the Queen, thought Mrs. Dalloway, coming out of Mulberry’s with some flowers; the Queen. And for a second she wore a look of extreme dignity standing by the flower shop in the sunlight while the car passed at a foot’s pace, with its blinds drawn. The Queen is going to some hospital; the Queen opening some bazaar, thought Clarissa. (Woolf, MD 11-3)
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: The introduction outlines the central importance of character creation in Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway and proposes to examine the techniques of stream-of-consciousness, perception, memory, and foil characters.
1. Stream-of-consciousness: This chapter defines the stream-of-consciousness technique and distinguishes between interior monologue and free-indirect-discourse (FID), arguing that Woolf primarily employs the latter to create a sense of deep connectedness between characters.
1.1. Free-indirect-discourse (FID): This section discusses the linguistic and literary features of FID, highlighting how it functions as a space for interchange between the author, narrator, and character, often blurring the lines between internal thought and narrated observation.
1.2. Characterisation through perception and perspective: This chapter introduces perception as a core mode of characterization, where the unique way a character experiences reality is more significant than the objective content of their observations.
1.2.1. Characterisation through perception: This section uses the examples of the car backfiring and the sky-writing aeroplane to demonstrate how different characters interpret the same sensory inputs based on their individual mental states and social backgrounds.
1.2.2. The individual perception of London as a means of characterisation: This part explores how London serves as a structural framework for the novel, revealing character priorities and inner worlds through their subjective relationships with the city.
1.2.3. Charactersation through perspective: This section focuses on minor characters like Hugh Whitbread and Miss Kilman, examining how their perspectives on others contribute to the fragmented yet coherent overall characterization.
1.3. Memory as a technique for characterisation: This chapter analyzes how memories of the past—specifically the summer at Bourton—are used to explain the characters' present psychological structures, doubts, and motivations.
2. The role of foil characters: This chapter defines the function of foil characters in literature and applies this to the dynamic between Clarissa Dalloway and Septimus Warren Smith, arguing that their similarities and contrasts highlight the core themes of the novel.
Clarissa/Septimus: This section explores the link between the two protagonists, who, despite never meeting, share deep psychological resonances regarding death, societal pressure, and the search for autonomy.
CONCLUSION: The conclusion summarizes that Woolf’s narrative techniques empower the reader to take an active role in character creation, thereby allowing the novel to transcend its time and offer profound psychological insights.
Keywords
Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf, characterisation, stream-of-consciousness, free-indirect-discourse, perception, perspective, memory, foil characters, focalization, London, modernism, literary technique, narrative structure, identity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this thesis?
The thesis examines the various narrative methods Virginia Woolf uses in her novel Mrs. Dalloway to characterize her protagonists and create depth within the narrative.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The study focuses on the stream-of-consciousness technique, the role of perception and perspective, the use of memory as a characterization tool, and the function of foil characters.
What is the primary goal of this research?
The objective is to demonstrate how Woolf employs specific literary techniques to allow the reader to engage with characters' internal thoughts, thereby revealing their true selves through subjective experience rather than direct description.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses close textual analysis combined with literary theory, referencing scholars such as Abbott, Mezei, and Holman to interpret the narrative structure of the novel.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The work covers FID, the significance of the characters' individual perceptions of London, the impact of past memories on present behavior, and the comparative analysis of Clarissa and Septimus.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include characterisation, stream-of-consciousness, free-indirect-discourse, perception, focalization, and foil characters.
How does the perception of London differ between Clarissa and Septimus?
Clarissa views London as a vibrant, symbolic reflection of life and social order, whereas Septimus perceives the city and its inhabitants as threatening or indifferent, reflecting his mental instability and trauma.
Why are Clarissa Dalloway and Septimus Smith considered foil characters?
While they share similar sensitivities and feelings of disillusionment, their reactions to these feelings differ—Clarissa functions within society while maintaining internal distance, whereas Septimus eventually succumbs to his despair, serving as a tragic reflection of the consequences of social alienation.
What role does the narrator play in Woolf's use of FID?
Woolf's use of FID frequently makes it difficult to separate the narrator's voice from the character's thoughts, which the author argues is a deliberate technique to invite the reader deeper into the characters' internal worlds.
- Citation du texte
- Stella-Maria Stejskal (Auteur), 2007, Methods of Characterisation in Woolf’s 'Mrs. Dalloway', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/111672
