Comparing And Contrasting Characters In Mrs. Dalloway By Virginia Woolf

Throughout Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf one becomes acquainted with the main protagonist Clarissa Dalloway. She is an upper middle class women who has chosen to marry a politician. She lives a very comfortable life in London England with her husband Richard, and her teenaged daughter Elizabeth. Clarissa enjoys the lavish lifestyle; she loves fashion, throwing parties, and she 's very critical of what 's going on around her. She 's an introspective character whose emotions are displayed through her thoughts. Throughout the novel Clarissa meets many interesting people, which she shares her thoughts about. Each person creates a contrast for you to take notice of, which builds the personalities of each of the contrasting characters. Woolf chooses …show more content…
Dalloway, Mrs. Kilman has an affect on how one views Clarissa as a person by contrasting their relationship with Elizabeth and their difference of wealth. She is a source of jealousy in Clarissa 's life, which creates a divide between Clarissa and Mrs.Kilman. While reflecting on Mrs. Kilman after buying herself flowers, Clarissa thought. “[...] Richard said [Mrs. Kilman] was very able, had a really historical mind. Anyhow they were inseparable, and Elizabeth, her own daughter, went to Communion; and how she dressed, how she treated people [...] she did not care a bit, it being her experience that the religious ecstasy made people callous [...]” woolf [53]. The Significance of these lines are that Clarissa hates the fact that Mrs. Kilman is influencing her daughter more than she is herself. Clarissa is jealous of Mrs. Kilman because her daughter notices Mrs. Kilman’s ideas more than her own. She wants Elizabeth to take interest in what she enjoys, not what Mrs.Kilman does; she wants her to like dressing up and going out to lunch with friends, but all Elizabeth wants to do is spend time with Mrs.Kilman, who has a strong religious influence on her. Clarissa looks down upon the religious community because she believes it makes one “callous” and unattentive; unlike herself who is sensitive and mindful. The way Clarissa uses “anyhow” in her thought is significant because Clarissa seems to dismiss the fact that Mrs. Kilman is very knowledgeable. She 's blinded by her hate …show more content…
While reminiscing on their past, Clarissa reflects. “[...] all in a clap it came over her, If I had married him, this gaiety would have been mine all day!” Woolf [82]. She is thinking about how her life would have been full of excitement if she said yes to Peter 's marriage proposal. She chose not to marry him because she is a more level headed person and she looks for stability rather than adventure. She choose to marry Richard instead, which shows that she values a gentle and mindful person like herself. While talking to Peter at home, Clarissa notices. “[...][Peter] took out his knife quite openly — his old horn-handled knife which Clarissa could swear he had had these thirty years” Woolf [79]. The knife is a symbol of their past; even after all this time peter has not changed his habits. The knife emphasises Peters restlessness in his life, because he is never able to settle down. While catching up with Peter about his life, Clarissa gets annoyed and thinks.” For Heaven’s sake, leave your knife alone! she cried to herself in irrepressible irritation[...]” Woolf [??]. The fact that Clarissa got annoyed so quickly because of a small quirk illustrates that she is not a very tolerant individual. This emphasises Clarissa’s lack of interest for a non static lifestyle because she wants him to stop playing with his