Introduction
In Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, first published in 1925, the novel delves into the minds of many characters. Interestingly, Wolfe’s contemporaries accused the novel of the absence of plot and eventfulness. In comparison, the novel focused on the heroes’ emotions, experiences, and stream of consciousness. Wolfe is ranked among a number of authors who demonstrated in their work the breaking of stereotypes in different areas, including gender, which is associated with her presence at the origins of feminism. Therefore, it is essential to explore the social conventions of the time concerning wealth, class, and gender norms in “Mrs. Dalloway,” which form people and aid in determining their futures.
The Impact of the Standards of a Patriarchal Community
In examining Clarissa’s relationship with Sally in “Mrs. Dalloway,” it can be indicated that in conversations with Sally, the protagonist pays the closest attention to the social life of women. The interpersonal statuses of the women are equal; they are friends (Woolf). In the beginning, V. Woolf reveals Sally before her marriage, her previous behavior, bad deeds, and the forgiveness of those around her. Then there is a change of social status when Sally becomes married, returning to her archetypal role of wife and mother.
The attitude of the older ladies toward Sally is strongly negative, which is manifested in two episodes. In the episode with the flowers: “Aunt Helena thought it wicked to treat flowers like that” and in the episode with the sponge: “Ellen Atkins went about grumbling” (Woolf 28). The dissatisfaction was expressed because of a complaint about the violation of society’s moral standards. Even the selection of flowers shocking means a violation of the laws of flower composition accepted in society. The same applies to nudity in a house full of human beings. Consequently, it can be concluded that Sally aimed to ignore society by acting contrary to it. Thus, the standards of social status, class, and gender that were inherent in society at the time were not of importance to Sally. She was attempting to protest against the stereotypes observed by older women (Woolf). Despite her reluctance to conform to gender and social rules, though, she and the rest of the women began to conform to the role of women in a patriarchal culture.
It is also appropriate to remember Mrs. Burgess, the lady of light, who has a negative attitude toward Daisy, her friend’s bride-to-be, because of her age and low social status. This thought is pronounced because of Daisy’s appearance: “you know, she said, what such… with too much paint”; the high number of cosmetics indicates Daisy’s antisocial behavior (Woolf 129). In this way, Mrs. Burgess poses Daisy lower than herself. Hence, social status, wealth, norms of conduct, and the class one belonged to influenced one’s attitudes. This was typical of the society of the time, and it can be observed that the norms of 1920 that existed in England affected Mrs. Burgess’ consciousness and life. To generalize, it should be emphasized that in V. Woolf, the female characters have a positive approach to women of equal status and age. Also, the female personages are hostile to those with a low standard of living and younger age.
In Virginia Woolf’s time, a woman’s identity was formed largely by her relationship with others: daughter, wife, or mother. In fact, the novel begins and is titled “Mrs. Dalloway,” emphasizing the recognition of Clarissa’s defining role as the wife of a prominent political figure, Mr. Dalloway. Clarissa feels a kind of trap in the role’s society has assigned her (Woolf). She had the strange impression that she was invisible herself and played no important role without her husband. As was then customary in England, a woman’s prestige and respect was established through her husband. Therefore, the gender norms of then society did not satisfy the woman. She feels urgently the necessity of private development and refuses to participate simply as someone’s wife or party hostess (Woolf). It may be noted that the unwillingness itself to follow society’s gender rules impacted the formation of Mrs. Dalloway’s character and inspired her struggle for individuality. Despite the woman’s progressive opinions, she was incapable of changing the social order and gender rules. Therefore, after being married to Richard, she continued to live in a patriarchal community that conformed to society’s ideology.
It is essential to remark that Clarissa Dalloway and Peter Walsh’s monologue-flow of consciousness leads to the novel’s main idea. Clarissa’s strong love excitement is associated with Peter Walsh, but this did not prevent her from separating from him and marrying Richard (Woolf). He was a benevolent gentleman who promised her a life of peace and comfort. Richard Dalloway is a member of an aristocratic-conservative group, and he provided Clarissa with a rich standard of living. Peter Walsh is both personally and socially insufficiently reliable, which is why the woman did not want to establish a family with him (Woolf). This further confirms that the desire for high social status and wealth, which was valued in society, caused Clarissa to abandon the man she loved. Thus, she became an honorable part of the bourgeoisie and successfully served her class but retained some peculiarity of manners. That is why, as the woman grew older, she often mentioned that she had lost the opportunity to be free for a rich life.
Consequently, even women who understood that they had no real power in society and had to perform only the role of mother and wife could not resist it. This was because gender roles were intertwined with social status and social norms in such a way that females did not want to lose the possibility of a wealthy life (Woolf). Accordingly, though they suffered and attempted at first to resist the general norms of society at the time, Clarice and Sally later accepted it. They selected a familiar life that would guarantee them prosperity and confidence in the future. For this reason, the influence of the community on the characters of the novel is powerful enough that they continue to live according to patriarchal principles.
Conclusion
Therefore, after World War I, English society granted men power in politics and careers. In return, women gained the wealth and social status they enjoyed because of male achievement. Accordingly, it is possible to depict life in post-war England more easily from such a lady-aristocratic perspective. Thus, in the 1920s, English society was entirely patriarchal; therefore, older people upheld established values. At the same time, Mrs. Dalloway, Sally, or Daisy attempted to protest gender roles the influence of social status, wealth, and class on the perception of women. However, the protest against patriarchal society was not successful for women. They continued to live by the rules, deeply rooted in community, and they tried to hide their emotional devastation and suffering because of it.
Work Cited
Woolf, Virginia. Mrs Dalloway. Hogarth Press, 1925.