Examining scholarly assessments deepens comprehensions of Clarissa’s psychology. Kuhlken (2008, p.367) substantiates “Clarissa’s sensibility is initially hostage to the past.” Clarissa’s inescapable feelings of being trapped in the past mirror Wordsworth’s (1850) “matter that detains us”, with prior occurrences restricting emotional development. Nevertheless, Kuhlken (2008, p.367) theorises, “fullest immersion in the present moment can provide an escape from the future’s pining and the past 's losses.” Clarissa imitates this, “[plunging] into the very heart of the moment” to impress herself on society and avoid seclusion (Woolf 1925, p.31). Moreover, Kuhlken (2008, p.367) believes Woolf “fused time”, allowing Clarissa to “confront fear and
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Gunes (2003, p.190) posits, “Woolf 's perception of memory as re-activating past feelings is what enables … characters in Mrs Dalloway to live in both the experience of the past and in the here and now as one continuous process of self.” Consequently, Clarissa’s ‘reactivation’ of her past forces re-evaluations. Gillies (1996, p.116) explains, stating:
“An incident sparks off a memory of the past, which, in turn, brings about a fresh understanding of the present. This continual mixing of different times results in the novel’s sense of timelessness, as if all of Clarissa’s life existed …show more content…
Woolf depicts time as cumulative, rather than finite, implying the present is inextricably fused with past and future occurrences. Numerous factors informed Woolf’s thematic and structural goals, with Wordsworth’s The Prelude fundamentally influencing her interweaving of time and perception, as well as juxtapositions between streams of consciousness. In utilising stream of consciousness narration, Woolf embeds psychological theories to reveal the fragmented nature of human perception. Moreover, Bergson’s conceptualisation of durée, that is, time is not a series of isolated moments, but rather the accumulation of past, present, and future, pervades throughout Woolf’s narrative. Consequently, Woolf examines the sum of character’s lives, thereby humanising characters, and allowing thorough insights. Additionally, Wordsworth’s discussion of ‘spots of time’ is foundational, with parallels being apparent between Wordsworth and Bergson, and Wordsworth and Woolf. Wordsworth envisions spots of time as dynamic memories that revitalise current experiences, confirming past moments continually re-contextualise the present. Thus, psychological, philosophical, and literary influences contribute to Mrs Dalloway. This revitalisation is evident within Clarissa Dalloway’s flashbacks. Clarissa feels
Gunes (2003, p.190) posits, “Woolf 's perception of memory as re-activating past feelings is what enables … characters in Mrs Dalloway to live in both the experience of the past and in the here and now as one continuous process of self.” Consequently, Clarissa’s ‘reactivation’ of her past forces re-evaluations. Gillies (1996, p.116) explains, stating:
“An incident sparks off a memory of the past, which, in turn, brings about a fresh understanding of the present. This continual mixing of different times results in the novel’s sense of timelessness, as if all of Clarissa’s life existed …show more content…
Woolf depicts time as cumulative, rather than finite, implying the present is inextricably fused with past and future occurrences. Numerous factors informed Woolf’s thematic and structural goals, with Wordsworth’s The Prelude fundamentally influencing her interweaving of time and perception, as well as juxtapositions between streams of consciousness. In utilising stream of consciousness narration, Woolf embeds psychological theories to reveal the fragmented nature of human perception. Moreover, Bergson’s conceptualisation of durée, that is, time is not a series of isolated moments, but rather the accumulation of past, present, and future, pervades throughout Woolf’s narrative. Consequently, Woolf examines the sum of character’s lives, thereby humanising characters, and allowing thorough insights. Additionally, Wordsworth’s discussion of ‘spots of time’ is foundational, with parallels being apparent between Wordsworth and Bergson, and Wordsworth and Woolf. Wordsworth envisions spots of time as dynamic memories that revitalise current experiences, confirming past moments continually re-contextualise the present. Thus, psychological, philosophical, and literary influences contribute to Mrs Dalloway. This revitalisation is evident within Clarissa Dalloway’s flashbacks. Clarissa feels