This research paper will explore the thesis that Virginia Woolf’s novel "Mrs. Dalloway" portrays gender as a social construct which is determined by the values a society sets in a specific period of time. Thus, Clarissa struggles to find her own identity because of changing societal expectations whereas Elizabeth, who is born in the next generation, adopts the values of Modernism.
Firstly, this paper will focus on women’s social position in Victorian Age and in Modernism and the change in the social standing of women. Secondly, an analysis of the figures Clarissa and Elizabeth will be provided by examining the influence the period of time has on the characters.
Virginia Woolf’s novel "Mrs. Dalloway", which was published in 1925, describes the protagonist Clarissa Dalloway’s difficult process of finding herself due to the change in expectations of society from Victorian to Modern ideals. Clarissa observes her bisexual desires which contradict the idea of a socially accepted life at that time. In order to prevent society’s contempt she enters into a marriage that ensures her social respectability and material wellbeing. She develops a multifaceted identity which is defined by ideologies of gender and her struggle to find happiness in this traditionally predetermined role of a woman.
In contrast, her daughter Elizabeth, who grows up in a different environment, commits herself to the idea of a Modern way of living. She represents the new generation that also offers a new conception of female identity which is less strict and compulsory. Nevertheless Elizabeth would still be considered an outsider if she strived for professional ambitions which underlines that the change from Victorian Era to Modernism is a long and complex process.
Women’s role in society has always been an issue depicted and discussed in literature. Especially in early 20th century literature, as Victorian Age gave way to Modernism, a shift in perspective and a change in the role of women in society took place. Whereas during the reign of Queen Victoria women firmly belonged to the domestic sphere and had to perform their duties as housewives and mothers, women at the beginning of Modern Age fought for their emancipation and independence. The portrayal of women in fiction and the view of female authors was shaped by the norms and values a society provided and thus dependent on the time when a literary work was written.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Main Part
2.1 Women’s Social Position in Victorian Age and in Modernism
2.2 Analysis of Gender in Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway
2.2.1 Clarissa Dalloway’s Failure to find her Identity in Victorian Values
2.2.2 Elizabeth Dalloway as a Representative Character of Modernism
3. Conclusion
4. Works Cited
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines how Virginia Woolf's novel "Mrs. Dalloway" portrays gender as a social construct influenced by the shifting values of the early 20th century. By contrasting the experiences of Clarissa Dalloway and her daughter Elizabeth, the study explores the tension between traditional Victorian expectations—which often led to fragmented identities—and the emerging ideals of Modernism, which offered new, albeit complex, possibilities for female self-determination.
- The social and historical shift from Victorian norms to Modernist ideals.
- The role of social structures and domestic expectations in limiting female identity.
- A comparative analysis of Clarissa and Elizabeth Dalloway's relationship with societal norms.
- The impact of fashion and public presence as markers of self-identity.
- The struggle for professional and personal autonomy in post-WWI London.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2.1 Clarissa Dalloway’s Failure to find her Identity in Victorian Values
In Virginia Woolf’s novel Mrs. Dalloway the protagonist Clarissa Dalloway is a middle-aged woman living in post-First World War London who is preparing for a party she will host in the evening. Throughout the day she remembers past times with her ex-boyfriend Peter Walsh which leads her to think about her decision to marry Richard Dalloway instead. Clarissa also ponders on the kiss she shared with Sally Seton when she was younger, an experience she considers a pure moment of love that “had a quality which could only exist between women [...]. The novel aims at presenting an image of Clarissa’s life and the social structure between the World Wars by jumping back and forth in time and examining the different characters’ perspectives. Moreover, the aspect of women’s societal standing and the influence of Victorian values in contrast to Modern views on the characters is featured prominently in the novel.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter contextualizes the shift from the Victorian era to Modernism and outlines the thesis that gender is a socio-cultural construct, introducing Clarissa and Elizabeth as primary case studies.
2. Main Part: This section investigates the historical transition of women's social roles and provides a detailed analysis of how Clarissa and Elizabeth Dalloway engage with or resist societal expectations.
2.1 Women’s Social Position in Victorian Age and in Modernism: This chapter explores the historical constraints placed on women during the Victorian period and the subsequent changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution, WWI, and the Suffrage Movement.
2.2 Analysis of Gender in Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway: This section focuses on the specific portrayal of gender dynamics within the novel, setting the stage for character-specific analysis.
2.2.1 Clarissa Dalloway’s Failure to find her Identity in Victorian Values: This chapter analyzes Clarissa’s internal struggle, her repressed desires, and her decision to adopt a socially accepted but restrictive life as a wife.
2.2.2 Elizabeth Dalloway as a Representative Character of Modernism: This chapter examines how Elizabeth embodies a new generation, exploring her conflict between her own ambitions and the persistent influence of her mother's world.
3. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the findings, confirming that while Modernism offered more freedom, societal expectations continued to exert a profound and limiting influence on women's identities.
4. Works Cited: This section lists the academic references used to support the research on literature, social history, and feminist theory.
Keywords
Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf, Gender Studies, Victorian Age, Modernism, Identity, Social Construct, Female Emancipation, Patriarchal Society, Clarissa Dalloway, Elizabeth Dalloway, Feminism, Social Norms, Self-Expression, Gender Ideology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper fundamentally explores how Virginia Woolf’s "Mrs. Dalloway" depicts gender as a social construct that is heavily influenced by the specific cultural and historical values of its time.
What are the primary themes addressed in the analysis?
The core themes include the transition from Victorian societal constraints to Modernist freedoms, the role of marriage and social status, the impact of historical events like WWI, and the conflict between individual desires and gender expectations.
What is the central research question?
The central question investigates how the Victorian-to-Modern shift in values affected female identity construction, specifically looking at how Clarissa and Elizabeth navigate their respective social environments.
Which academic methods are utilized in this paper?
The paper uses a qualitative, analytical approach, examining the text of the novel in the context of socio-historical theories regarding Victorian womanhood, feminist literary criticism, and studies on gender identity.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body covers the historical context of women's shifting social positions as well as detailed character analyses of Clarissa Dalloway—who struggles with Victorian ideals—and Elizabeth Dalloway, who reflects the newer, Modern aspirations.
Which keywords best characterize this academic work?
Key terms include gender construction, Modernism, Victorian Age, identity formation, female emancipation, and the specific narrative analysis of Virginia Woolf's characters.
How does Clarissa Dalloway perceive her own marriage?
Clarissa views her marriage to Richard Dalloway with a sense of ambivalence; while it secures her social standing, she often considers the institution of marriage a "catastrophe" that forces her into a restricted identity.
Why is the character of Elizabeth Dalloway considered representative of Modernism?
Elizabeth represents Modernism because she is a member of a new generation that rejects many traditional Victorian limitations, showing a desire to pursue professional goals and personal independence, even if the transition remain imperfect.
- Citar trabajo
- Anonym (Autor), 2019, Representations of Gender in Virginia Woolf’s "Mrs. Dalloway". An Analysis of Clarissa and Elizabeth, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1453718
