Towards the beginning of the book, Virginia Woolf offers a vivid description of Clarissa’s thoughts. Her ideas indicate a women of higher living standards and, in several instances, a manner that makes her above the normal. Septimus, on the other hand, is also depicted as a self-centered character, but with a contorted history that clashes similarity with Clarissa. Based on what we have read so far, it can be reasonable to argue the dichotomy of their struggle to either expose or hide themselves from the crowd.The limo incident itself serves a critical point to analyze both Clarissa and Septimus.
No one among the spectators actually knows who is the mysterious figure hiding behind the blinds (that is if there was anyone at all). Mrs. Dalloway’s imagination justifies an important figure approaching her direction so she consequently wears “a look of extreme dignity standing by the flower shop in the sunlight” (16). Aside from the fact that Mrs. Dalloway emphasizes the presence of flowers, she demonstrates her interest in appearing more prestigious than the common person. Lady Burton, “whose lunch parties were extraordinarily amusing”, is an ideal example to Clarissa for her prominence (30). In another situation, she imagines herself as a perfect hostess to the Prime Minister, a position to be highly ranked by nature (7). While she has succeeded to create a similar a portrait to this, Clarissa is cautious about using her outer appearance to conceal the struggles of her inner self.
The external appearance Clarissa tries to advocate is used to make the impression as a one-of-a-kind lady worth thinking and conversing about, as is apparent with the party she is hosting. However even after thirty years of marriage, she is still doubtful of her relationship between herself and Peter. On more than one occasion, she predicts how life would be if she was Mrs. Peter Walsh. The concept of questioning a decision she made decades ago about marrying Richard might hint at an unsatisfied relationship that lacks qualities exhibited by Peter. This notion is further distorted when Sally Seton enters the picture; this confusing relationship provides reason to believe that Clarissa lacks love, feels undermined to express her values thanks to society, or both. While these specific obstacles may not coincide with Septimus’, they both exhibit characteristics similar to each other.
In this exact limo event, Woolf also provides a reaction from Septimus’ point of view. Septimus’ initial impressions conform a melancholy state when muttering, “I will kill myself” (15). As we later acknowledge, it seems to be his life as a soldier in the War malignantly affected his present-day thought process. Septimus is heavily embedded with the constant self-centeredness in a burdensome manner. As the limo is driving by, he offers any ill-mannered excuse to put him at the center of attention, as if it was his fault for causing the limo to disrupt the cities’ routine. His lack of control over emotions is what makes it difficult for him to perceive events the way the “common person” would.
Septimus without a doubt, also displays a state of confusion and asceticism. As Lucrezia removes her wedding ring because of her emaciated fingers, Septimus contemplates “with agony, with relief” (66). A tiny ring not worn by his wife due to health issues shouldn't be a point of disturbance. However, since it happens to be so, this further implies his ignorance in self-control. While this may indicate a slight instance of humor, contemplating the relief of ending his marriage with a caring wife and agony for feeling deserted portrays the mass confusion within the character.
As both characters have contrasting personalities in their “outside” life, I believe, to some extent, that they both experience somewhat similar internal struggles. They are too cognizant of their surroundings to notice their own shortcomings. Paranoia, depression, and trauma reveal both the internal and external world Septimus faces. Clarissa is very much unlike this, due to her representation as Mrs. Richard Dalloway to the public as well as her personal interest in appearing ostentatious. Clarissa’s outer appearance almost always carries a sense of pride. Overall, would it be appropriate to say Clarissa and Septimus are similar in character to some extent?
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