Virginia Woolf's 'Mrs Dalloway': Themes, Characters, and Contexts

What is the full name of Virginia Woolf?

Adeline Virginia Stephen

When was Virginia Woolf born?

25 January 1882

What notable literary group did Virginia Woolf become associated with?

The Bloomsbury Group

What was the title of Virginia Woolf's first published novel?

The Voyage Out

What year was 'Mrs Dalloway' published?

1925

Who edited the Oxford World's Classics edition of 'Mrs Dalloway'?

David Bradshaw

What major themes are explored in 'Mrs Dalloway'?

Time, memory, and the nature of existence

What was the purpose of the Hogarth Press established by Virginia Woolf?

It was meant as a therapeutic outlet for Virginia and to publish her works.

What significant event in Virginia Woolf's life occurred in 1912?

She married Leonard Woolf.

What illness did Virginia Woolf struggle with throughout her life?

Depression and anorexia

What is the significance of the year 1913 in Virginia Woolf's career?

It was the year her first novel, 'The Voyage Out', was accepted for publication.

What was Virginia Woolf's relationship with her father like?

It was difficult, marked by his deafness and emotional issues.

What notable literary figures were part of Virginia Woolf's social circle?

J. M. Keynes, E. M. Forster, Roger Fry, Clive Bell, and Lytton Strachey.

What major life event did Virginia Woolf experience in 1895?

The death of her mother and her first mental breakdown.

What is the ISBN of the Oxford World's Classics edition of 'Mrs Dalloway'?

0-19-283970-5

What type of literature does the Oxford World's Classics series encompass?

World literature, drama, poetry, religion, philosophy, and politics.

What was Virginia Woolf's father's profession?

He was a journalist, biographer, and historian of ideas.

What was the first work published by the Hogarth Press?

Night and Day

What literary technique is Virginia Woolf known for using in her writing?

Stream of consciousness

What significant publication milestone did Virginia Woolf achieve in 1919?

Her novel 'Night and Day' was published.

What was the impact of the Bloomsbury Group on Virginia Woolf's work?

It provided her with a supportive intellectual community that influenced her writing.

What does the term 'moral rights' refer to in the context of Virginia Woolf's works?

The rights of the author to protect their personal and reputational interests in their works.

What was the significance of the year 1920 for Virginia Woolf?

She began writing 'Jacob's Room' and bought Monk's House.

What is the main setting of 'Mrs Dalloway'?

London, particularly on a single day in June.

What literary form is 'Mrs Dalloway' primarily considered?

A novel

What is a notable feature of the Oxford World's Classics series?

It includes perceptive commentary and essential background information.

What was one of Virginia Woolf's significant contributions to women's rights?

She worked for female suffrage.

What is the title of the biography written by Virginia Woolf about a man-woman?

Orlando

In what years was Orlando written?

1927-1928

When was Orlando published?

October 1928

What novel did Virginia Woolf write and rewrite in 1930 and 1931?

The Waves

What is the title of the story about Elizabeth Barrett Browning's pet dog?

Flush

What novel did Virginia Woolf begin work on in 1932?

The Years

What significant work did Virginia Woolf publish in 1938?

Three Guineas

What year was The Years published?

1937

What was the name of Virginia Woolf's friend who died in 1934?

Roger Fry

What novel did Virginia Woolf complete in February 1941?

Between the Acts

What tragic event occurred in Virginia Woolf's life on March 28, 1941?

She drowned herself in the River Ouse.

What time period does Virginia Woolf's fiction writing career cover?

1912-1941

How many novels did Virginia Woolf write?

Nine highly-wrought novels

What literary group was Virginia Woolf associated with?

The Bloomsbury Group

Who were some influential figures in the Bloomsbury Group?

G. E. Moore, J. M. Keynes, Strachey, Forster

What did T. S. Eliot say about Jacob's Room?

That it freed her from compromise between the traditional novel and her original gift.

What theme is explored in Mrs Dalloway?

The social and psychological impact of the First World War.

What significant event does the character Clarissa Dalloway reflect on in Mrs Dalloway?

The trauma of the First World War.

What does the character Betty Flanders hold out in Jacob's Room?

Her dead son's shoes.

What does the Cenotaph represent in Mrs Dalloway?

Britain's national memorial to her 'Glorious Dead'.

What is a key theme in the character's experiences in Mrs Dalloway?

The ongoing tragic aftermath of the War.

What does Peter Walsh experience due to Clarissa's rejection?

Overwhelming grief.

What does Clarissa Dalloway carry with her for years?

The grief of having broken with Peter.

What literary form did Virginia Woolf also write besides novels?

Literary criticism and social comment.

What was the impact of the First World War on the characters in Mrs Dalloway?

It caused trauma and emotional arrest in their lives.

What does the term 'irrevocable' refer to in Mrs Dalloway?

The past that is ever present and cannot be changed.

What societal change does Peter Walsh observe upon his return from India?

The social changes accelerated by the War.

What does the sky-writing aeroplane symbolize in Mrs Dalloway?

The lingering fear of aerial bombardment from the War.

What significant life choice does Clarissa make in the 1890s?

She opts for a prudent marriage rather than following her heart.

How does Clarissa's language reflect her emotional state?

Her language is described as 'schoolgirlish', indicating a sense of youthful exuberance despite her frail condition.

What does the word 'hinges' symbolize in Clarissa's recollection?

It triggers a vivid memory of her past, showing how close her past lies to her present thoughts.

What emotional experiences do Clarissa, Septimus, and Peter share?

They all experience uncontrollable emotions, reflecting the impact of war and their pasts.

What does Clarissa believe has been bred in people of her age?

She believes that 'this late age of world's experience had bred in them all, all men and women, a well of tears.'

What does the name 'Septimus Warren Smith' suggest about his character?

It implies a grandiose expectation for social advancement, contrasting with his reality as a poorly educated clerk.

What does Septimus's military decorations indicate about him?

They indicate that he was a remarkably courageous soldier, recognized for his bravery during the war.

How does Sir William Bradshaw misinterpret Septimus's behavior?

He sees Septimus's stuttering as egotism rather than a sign of mental illness.

What are some symptoms of shell-shock exhibited by Septimus?

Symptoms include delusions, suicidal tendencies, hallucinations, and memory loss.

What does Septimus's analysis of his suicide plan reveal?

It shows that he is capable of rational thought despite his mental illness.

What does the term 'crosses' refer to in the context of Septimus's character?

It refers to military decorations he received for bravery during World War I.

What does the phrase 'the deferred effects of shell-shock' imply?

It implies that the psychological impact of war can manifest long after the physical conflict has ended.

What does the character of Lucrezia reveal about Septimus's condition?

She recognizes his growing strangeness and the severity of his mental illness.

How does Woolf's narrative style affect the reader's understanding of the characters?

It often requires closer scrutiny of details that may initially seem insignificant.

What does Clarissa's memory of 'bursting open the French windows' symbolize?

It symbolizes her desire for freedom and escape from societal constraints.

How does Woolf portray the theme of time in Mrs. Dalloway?

Time is depicted as an oppressive force that controls the characters' lives.

What does the term 'neurasthenic' refer to in the context of war veterans?

It refers to soldiers suffering from psychological issues related to their war experiences.

What role does the character of Sir William Bradshaw play in the narrative?

He represents the medical establishment's often callous treatment of mental illness.

What does the phrase 'astonishing accesses of emotion' refer to?

It refers to the sudden and overwhelming emotional responses experienced by the characters.

What does Septimus's hallucination of his dead comrade Evans signify?

It signifies the lasting trauma and guilt from his wartime experiences.

What does the term 'shell-shock' encompass in the context of the novel?

It encompasses a range of psychological symptoms experienced by soldiers after combat.

How does Woolf's writing style contribute to the themes of memory and trauma?

Her stream-of-consciousness technique allows readers to experience the characters' inner thoughts and struggles.

What does the character of Clarissa Dalloway symbolize in the novel?

She symbolizes the struggle between societal expectations and personal desires.

What is the significance of the setting in Mrs. Dalloway?

The setting reflects the social and historical context of post-World War I Britain.

How does Woolf address the issue of mental health in her narrative?

She highlights the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding mental illness in her portrayal of Septimus.

What is the impact of war on the characters in Mrs. Dalloway?

The war leaves deep psychological scars, affecting their relationships and perceptions of reality.

What is the disturbing revelation during Septimus's interview with Bradshaw?

Bradshaw considers 'attaching meanings to words of a symbolical kind' a 'serious symptom' of mental unbalance.

What is the purpose of the bill that Bradshaw and Richard Dalloway want to pass?

The bill aims to address the deferred effects of shell-shock and may allow for the forced internment of severely shell-shocked individuals.

How does Bradshaw respond to Septimus's condition?

He shows little compassion and warns him against unmanly 'moments of depression'.

What is Holmes's diagnosis of Septimus?

Holmes incorrectly insists that Septimus is just 'a little out of sorts' and that there is 'nothing the matter' with him.

What treatments does Holmes prescribe for Septimus?

Holmes prescribes cricket, golf, music hall attendance, porridge, and bromide.

What does Cyril Burt remark about the distinction between normal and abnormal minds?

He notes that the First World War highlighted the artificiality of the distinction between the normal mind and its abnormal conditions.

How does the novel depict the medical profession in London during the time?

It shows that London's medical men are busy, with characters frequently visiting doctors for various ailments.

What personal struggles did Virginia Woolf face while writing Mrs Dalloway?

Woolf suffered breakdowns, hallucinations, and was misdiagnosed during the time of writing.

What does Woolf suggest about the folly of rigid constructions of madness and sanity?

She critiques the enforcement of strict definitions of madness in a society with deep psychological wounds.

What does the act of taking doors off their hinges symbolize in the novel?

It relates to the preparations for Clarissa's party and may also suggest characters that are 'unhinged' or unsettled.

How does Clarissa Dalloway perceive her own mental state?

She feels both young and aged, experiences a sense of danger in living, and has moments of feeling invisible.

What is Clarissa's reaction to the character Doris Kilman?

She views Kilman as a dangerous incubus and a 'brutal monster' that threatens her life.

What does Clarissa's hatred symbolize in her character development?

It represents an internal struggle that causes her physical pain and affects her ability to enjoy life.

How does Septimus's affliction compare to Clarissa's struggles?

Both characters experience feelings of being homicidal and suicidal, reflecting their mental turmoil.

What does the gift of red and white roses from Richard symbolize?

The roses symbolize Richard's duty to his country and reflect the colors of the cross of St George, the patron saint of England.

What does Woolf's exploration of insanity and suicide in her writing suggest?

It suggests a complex interplay between sanity and insanity, as seen through the perspectives of both sane and insane characters.

What does the term 'unhinged' mean in the context of the novel?

It means to unsettle, unbalance, or disorder in mind, reflecting characters' psychological states.

How does the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 relate to the characters in Mrs Dalloway?

It serves as a backdrop to the characters' mental health struggles, particularly for Clarissa, who is a survivor.

What does Clarissa's confusion about the time of year signify?

It reflects her mental instability and uncertainty as she prepares for her party.