SYMBOLOGY IN MRS. DALLOWAY
SYMBOLOGY IN MRS. DALLOWAY In the book, Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf portrays her life in a novel, using pseudo-characters to demonstrate her various personas. She allows the characters to live in a society similar to her own, and she illustrates this society in her writing. Many of Woolf’s family members, relationships, and characteristics are symbolically exemplified through the minor characters on a more personal level. Woolf begins the novel symbolically and logically. However, Clarissa's life is not meant solely to represent the uselessness of a certain social group. Much deeper and more passionate symbolism exists in the novel and in this central character. The two exclamations that begin the third paragraph are symbolic of Clarissa's stance in life and the stream of consciousness structure of the book. In the first part, we see many echoes of Woolf within the character of Clarissa. The theme of the virgin, symbolizing seclusion, independence, and sexual desolation, takes over as we move from Clarissa, who is excited about life, to Clarissa, secluded, philosophical, and lonely. Her relief at returning home is compared explicitly by Woolf to a “nun” returning to her habit, and, yet, ironically, she only ventures to her virginal, narrow attic room when she feels snubbed by society. Because of this snub, we learn further, how much Clarissa cares about societal issues as she meditates on her value to society as a result of the snub. As Clarissa's relative loneliness and lack of intimacy in marriage is symbolized through the allegory of a virginal nun, the most intense sexual moment in Clarissa's life is symbolized through intense religious feeling. Thus, the kiss could represent the sexual attraction and revelation that Sally brought to Clarissa. The presents given to Clarissa, the diamond, the flower picked, the "radiance burnt through," all symbolize this sexual experience. It is not surprising, then, that Clarissa feels so violated when men intrude upon her moment. Peter and mature Joseph's intrusion symbolizes the dominance of men in society and the conservatism of sexual relations that would not allow for Clarissa's true bi-sexual yearnings. Peter's tendency to play with his pocketknife is obviously a phallic metaphor; symbolizing Peter's repressed and failed sexual urges toward Clarissa. He not only invades Clarissa's serenity, but her virginal sense of self, as well. Woolf describes Clarissa's reaction to the moment of Peter's entrance as, "She made to hide her dress, like a virgin protecting her chastity, respecting privacy." The theme of water is emphasized as the break-up takes place at a fountain.