Mrs. Dalloway Book

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by: Virginia Woolf

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Average Rating: Rating: - oscillate wildly Here is a novel of Dostoevskyian ideals, wherein Woolf purposefully positions her characters in a perpetual state of wild oscillation. Septimus Smith moves from feelings of a post-drowned death, pessimism, and a realization of a failed marriage to feelings of elation as he constructs his ideal happiness via construction of Rezia's hat, back to morose-filled panic that causes his sudden suicidal leap of faith out of the window. Out of a similar window on the same day, Clarissa Dalloway has her periods of elated feelings as witnessed by Woolf's clever hyperbolic ocean wave references. At other times this representative sea turns into a dark storm. And during the conclusive party scene, Clarissa goes from an energetic, welcoming spirit (mixed with mania) to a gloomy, hermitic role after the news of her doppelganger's death. Furthermore, Peter Walsh embarks towards Clarissa's party with feelings of disgust at the London he has returned to, and unsettling emotions about the prigs at the pary, to "extraordinary excitement" at the final sight of Clarissa. And even in Peter's final thoughts we see oscillation--"What is this terror? what is this ecstasy?" (194). Can Peter even sufficiently answer this query that he shares with the reader; what is his final fixed emotion, or is there one? Can he, and Clarissa, escape the "terror" of life that Septimus could not avoid? Clarissa's often repeated line from Cymbeline is "Fear no more the heat o' the sun," but does she, or Peter, ever really adhere to such an insightful witticism? I feel that the answer to their fears rings loud and clear via Sally Rosseter's final adage--"What does the brain matter . . . compared to the heart?" Indeed, what does the maniacal depression, the life of terror, the perpetual straining of thought processes matter--compared to the expression(s) of love, joy, and peace? Though this novel is Proust-like, mixed with a dash of Joyce's Ulysses, and Woolf's desire to portray an altogether new experiment, it remains mostly as a warm comparison of a Dostoevsky novel. Like the great Russian, Woolf shows a deep concern for the plight of man's (and woman's, of course) soul, the inevitable suffering of a mortal, and overwhelming need for oscillation that ends with the sincerest of Christ-like love as the definite destination. Woolf ponders in her June 19, 1923, diary entry, "One must write from deep feeling, said Dostoevsky. And do I?" Yes Mrs. Woolf, you certainly do. Rating: - Poetic lyricism in Virginia Woolf Any young aspiring writer should compare Woolf's early work, such as Night and Day to something like Mrs. Dalloway. The transformation in narrative strength is incredible. I think Woolf found her voice when she gave up on traditional technique and focused on vivid imagery, poetic language, and really getting into the souuls of her characters. Her views on love in this boook are heartbreaking. Love serves as mere convenience, romance is just an illusion. 9 times out of 10 people choose safety. Pretty cynical viewpoint, but she lived during the days of a crumbling Empire and wrote about it beautifully. She really achieved her greatest literary power later on in life. Also, this book studies insanity and the doctors who are impotent to help. I'm sure woolf would have the same view in today's heavily medicated society. This book is not for the faint of heart. She does not hide characters emotions, but tends to dwelon their weaknesses. The final party scene is brilliant. If you like this book, read To The Lighthouse, which is equally brilliant. Rating: - Hard to follow I began the book having never read anything by Virginia Woolf, but had heard she was great. I also had only heard of Mrs. Dalloway but did not know the story line. So, going into it blind I am certain handicapped my apppreciation for the work. Virginia Woolf uses eloquent words in Mrs. Dalloway. Unfortunately I found that it was a bit difficult to follow. There were several passages I had to read twice to understand where she jumped from one idea/topic/person to another. Half way in the frustration overtook me and I stopped reading. Having since seen the movie I understand the story much better and may give the book another go. If you do not already understand what is going to happen and are unfamiliar with this style of writing I suggest viewing the movie first.

Mrs. Dalloway Book

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