Taking place over a single day in June 1923, Mrs. Dalloway follows Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares for an evening party and intertwines with the experiences of various characters, reflecting on their past, present, and future. The narrative explores themes of mental health and loneliness amid ordinary activities like buying flowers, culminating at the evening party. The book contains discussions of mental health crises and trauma experienced by a veteran.

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf is lauded for its innovative stream-of-consciousness technique and rich character exploration, showcasing Woolf's literary prowess. However, some reviewers find its intricate prose challenging to navigate. Despite this, it remains a seminal work that profoundly captures the complexity of human emotions and societal norms.

Readers who appreciate introspective psychological novels and stream-of-consciousness techniques will enjoy Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. Fans of Woolf's contemporaries, such as James Joyce's Ulysses or Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time, will find similar literary styles and themes in this work.

Contemplative / Melancholic / Bittersweet / Mysterious / Emotional

**Clarissa Dalloway**  
The protagonist of *Mrs Dalloway*, she is a middle-aged Londoner planning a party while delving into her rich inner life, reflecting on her past and the complexities of her affluent lifestyle.

**Peter Walsh**  
Clarissa’s old suitor who has been living abroad in India. He remains attached to Clarissa despite their past and is emotionally ambivalent about his young fiancée, Daisy.

**Sally Seton**  
An old friend from Clarissa’s past, remembered for her vivacious personality and a spontaneous kiss shared with Clarissa. She appears at Clarissa’s party, symbolizing freedom and counter-culture.

**Richard Dalloway**  
Clarissa’s steady husband, embodying traditional values and working for the government in London. He contrasts with Peter Walsh in his emotional restraint and commitment to English tradition.

**Elizabeth Dalloway**  
The daughter of Clarissa and Richard, she represents the youth questioning traditional lifestyles but is constrained by societal expectations. She contemplates future independence yet is cautious in her rebellions.

**Septimus Warren Smith**  
A shell-shocked working-class veteran of World War I, struggling with trauma and exploring themes of mental health. His experiences and fears serve as a contrast to Clarissa’s upper-class life.

**Lucrezia (Rezia) Smith**  
Septimus’s devoted Italian wife, who suffers alongside him from his war-induced trauma. She endeavors to support him despite feeling isolated and away from her family in Milan.

- Mrs. Dalloway was originally titled "The Hours," a name later used by Michael Cunningham for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel inspired by Woolf's work.
- Virginia Woolf created the entire plot of Mrs. Dalloway in a single day as she walked through the streets of London, illustrating the profound influence that the city had on her writing process.
- The novel takes place over the course of a single day in June 1923, using a stream-of-consciousness style that was revolutionary in capturing the intricacies of everyday life and human thought.

Virginia Woolf

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Novel

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Overview

Get ready to explore Mrs. Dalloway and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Mrs. Dalloway Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Pages 1-59

Mrs. Dalloway Pages 1-59 Summary & Analysis

Pages 59-92

Mrs. Dalloway Pages 59-92 Summary & Analysis

Pages 92-130

Mrs. Dalloway Pages 92-130 Summary & Analysis

Pages 130-182

Mrs. Dalloway Pages 130-182 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Mrs. Dalloway Character Analysis

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Themes

Mrs. Dalloway Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Mrs. Dalloway Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Mrs. Dalloway Important Quotes

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Mrs. Dalloway Essay Topics

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Mrs. Dalloway Quiz

Mrs. Dalloway Further Reading & Resources

Introduction

Mrs. Dalloway Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

Mrs. Dalloway Before Reading

During Reading

Mrs. Dalloway During Reading

After Reading

Mrs. Dalloway After Reading

Mrs. Dalloway

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