Dalloway is not your typical day-in-the-life story, but it is a day-in-the-life story a revolutionary one at that.

. It covers one day for Clarissa Dalloway (with some other central characters, too) as she prepares for a big party that will take place that evening. As the novel begins, Clarissa strolls through Westminster, her neighborhood in London, on her way to a flower shop. Along the way, a few big things go down: she runs into an old friend named Hugh Whitbread, an explosion comes from a diplomatic car on its way to Buckingham Palace, and an "aeroplane" does a little skywriting. (Wow, thats way more than what typically happens to us on the way to get flowers.) When she gets back from her errand, an old friend and former suitor, Peter Walsh, shows up unexpectedly. Theyre happy to see each other, but theres still some tension. Peter is clearly still in love with Clarissa, and she feels like he judges her for the decisions shes made among them marrying the conservative but loyal Richard Dalloway (instead of him). Numerous flashbacks including one of Clarissa's kiss with a girl named Sally fill in the story as it happened years ago at her familys country home, Bourton. Feeling desperate over his own unfulfilling life, Peter gets weepy and asks Clarissa if she really loves Richard. Before she can answer, Elizabeth (her daughter) interrupts, and Peter heads out to Regent's Park. We then move to the perspective of Septimus Warren Smith, a shell-shocked World War I veteran who saw Evans, his friend and officer, killed in war. Septimus' wife, Lucrezia, is trying to distract him as they wait for an appointment with Sir William Bradshaw, a mean old psychiatrist. The third person omniscient narrator takes us back to Septimus life before the war: he was an aspiring poet, read Shakespeare, and loved Miss Isabel Pole. After the war and Evans' death, Septimus becomes emotionally numb he can't feel anything. On a total whim, he becomes engaged to Lucrezia, whose home hes staying at in Milan, Italy. Back in the present day, Septimus is driven deeper into madness, including some crazy hallucinations. Lucrezia is also miserable, homesick for Italy, and tired of taking her husband to various soulless doctors. Whereas Dr Holmes thinks Septimus is just "in a funk," Dr Bradshaw diagnoses that he "lacks Proportion." Neither acknowledges the fact that the war has impacted Septimus (which seems pretty obvious to us). While Clarissa rests and prepares for the party, Richard has lunch with the impressively rich and British upper crust Lady Bruton. After lunch, Richard wants to go home and tell Clarissa he loves her, but he cops out and just gives her flowers instead. Clarissa actually cherishes the independence she has in her marriage, knowing that she could never have that with Peter. In the meantime, Clarissas daughter goes off shopping with her friend Miss Kilman, whom Mrs Dalloway hates. And by hates, we mean despises, loathes, and absolutely cannot stand. Meanwhile, Septimus and Lucrezia wait at their apartment for Sir William Bradshaw, who is coming to take Septimus to a psychiatric home. The couple shares a rare moment of joy, but before Bradshaw enters the apartment, Septimus throws himself out the window and is impaled on the fence outside. He would rather die than have the doctor steal his soul. Yikes.

When Clarissas party begins, she circulates, making sure to pay attention to every guest especially the prime minister (um, yeah, wed do the same). Peter and Sally patiently await some attention from Clarissa as they talk about their memories of Bourton. A late arrival, Sir William Bradshaw, shows up with his wife, who announces that Septimus has killed himself. Clarissa is annoyed that Lady Bradshaw mentioned death at her party, but she is envious of Septimus ability to embrace the moment. Finally, she returns to the party and her appearance fills Peters heart with joy.

Mrs Dalloway (a.k.a. Clarissa) sets off to buy flowers. She knows that Lucy has a lot of work to do and its a beautiful morning, so why not? Leaving the house for the outside world stirs profound feelings in her, reminding her of the feeling of opening a window at Bourton (her familys country home) and stepping out to breathe the fresh air. She immediately recalls being eighteen years old there, feeling the strange combination of exhilaration and fear; she also remembers how Peter Walsh interrupted her with some silly remark about vegetables. Back in present day, Mrs Dalloway thinks of how Peter Walsh will soon return from India. She thinks of all his annoying quirks, like constantly playing with a pocket-knife. (That sounds more dangerous than annoying to us.) People in Clarissas London neighborhood of Westminster recognize her as she walks down the street. (You start to get get recognized after twenty years in the same town.) Scrope Purvis observes her resemblance to a bird; she was recently sick and still looks a bit pale. (Not the nicest thing to say about a woman, but hey.) Living in Westminster, Mrs Dalloway has come to anticipate the hourly sounds from Big Ben. She proceeds down the street, making observations to herself about the various people and things she sees: a vagrant on the steps, cars passing, an aeroplane. Yes, an aeroplane (fun word, right?). Its a beautiful June day. The war is over and everyones incredibly relieved. (This is World War I we're talking about; since the novel was published in 1925, that's not too tough to figure out.) London is full of life and tradition: the king and queen, cricket, shoppers out and about. Mrs Dalloway loves it all. After all, her family history is very connected to England, even with ties to previous kings. Oh, and shes giving a party tonight. Awesome. While on her walk, she runs into Hugh Whitbread. Hes in London to take his wife, Evelyn, to see a few doctors. Mrs Dalloway doesnt pry, but its clear that Evelyn is not well. Hugh makes Mrs Dalloway feel "schoolgirlish;" neither her husband Richard nor Peter Walsh ever liked that she liked him. You know how it goes. Actually, she remembers some conflict between Peter and Hugh at Bourton, which makes her think of how she and Peter havent seen each other for a long time. Peter didnt see things the way she did. He was dry, unenthusiastic. He didnt see beauty like Clarissa, but instead thought of Wagner and poetry. Bo-ring. They argued because he wanted to marry her. Richard, on the other hand, gave her more space; Peter had to share everything. Still, she was sad when she heard that Peter had married some woman in India. Clarissa keeps heading through London, watching taxis and feeling the anxiety of everyday living. This walk is getting intense!

Mrs Dalloway is a simple woman, reading only memoirs, but priding herself in understanding people "by instinct" (1.16). She never really takes risks (though once she threw a coin into a lake crazy!). She wonders about death, and how life will go on without her after she dies. Along her walk, Clarissa reads a book through a shop window and thinks about the solitary condition of human beings. She thinks about buying a book for Evelyn Whitbread. Mrs Dalloway has some regrets, and wishes she looked like Lady Bexborough: darkskinned and stately. She feels invisible, now old, past the age of having children. Shes not Clarissa but Mrs Richard Dalloway. (Check out "What's Up With the Title?" for more on this.) Clarissa absolutely loves Bond Street with its shops full of shoes and gloves, things her daughter, Elizabeth, doesn't care for. Elizabeth spends a lot of time with Miss Kilman, a horrible (in her mind) woman who takes Elizabeth to Catholic meetings. Elizabeth's relationship with Miss Kilman may be exciting, but Mr Dalloway comforts Clarissa by telling her that their relationship is just a phase. Miss Kilman is a tortured soul, a sufferer and a martyr. She wears her poverty and inferiority like a badge of honor. Clarissa becomes physically disturbed at the mere thought of this woman. Mrs Dalloway finally enters the flower shop, where shes greeted by Miss Pym. Clarissa walks through the flowers, when suddenly a sound like a shot comes from the street outside. A car backfired. The noise of the car draws the attention of everyone on the street. The car belongs to someone important: a government figure, perhaps. Rumors circulate, pedestrians speculate. Who can it be behind the cars curtain? Septimus Warren Smith is walking down the street, too. His face shows the fear he has in his heart. Clarissa looks at the car and Septimus does, too but they dont know each other. Septimus is deeply disturbed, and he fears that the world will "burst into flames" (1.33). Septimus wife, Lucrezia, grows concerned and tries to hurry him along. She, too, stares at the motor car. Is it the queen? Lucrezia and Septimus have been married for four or five years. Septimus has threatened to kill himself, so it hasn't been easy going. Lucrezia wants to scream, right there on the street, for help. She also just wants to hide him from people. She's ashamed of him. The motor car continues on its way. No one knows who it was, but everyone feels a sense of having been in the presence of greatness. Mrs Dalloway thinks it was the queen. The queen! The traffic is terrible as the car tries to get through. Perhaps theres a party at Buckingham Palace tonight. Clarissa is having a party tonight, too, in case you forgot. The car leaves the crowd feeling all patriotic and emotional as it pulls away. People think of "the dead; of the flag; of Empire" (1.46). Bystanders are full of pride. The end of war will really do that to people. A crowd gathers in anticipation outside the gates of Buckingham Palace. The people are poor but hopeful, feeling dignity just from being in the presence of someone important, whoever it may be. Random people Sarah Bletchley, Emily Coates, Mr Bowley get a

thrill from the car and the Palace and all of the ideas associated with royalty. This is like the Will and Kate wedding! Suddenly an airplane passes overhead, doing some skywriting as onlookers try to make out the word up in the clouds. Glaxo? Kreemo? Toffee? (We hope its the last one.) The car passes through the gates unnoticed. The plane disappears behind the clouds and then emerges again. Back to the Septimus story. At Regents Park, Lucrezia, acting on Dr Holmess advice, tries to distract Septimus with the airplane. Theyre signaling me, he thinks. He begins to cry: hes overwhelmed by beauty. The trees distract Septimus; theyre rising and falling, but he shuts his eyes so that he doesnt go mad. (We're really starting to feel for this guy.) Lucrezia wishes he were dead; its too much to see him behave like a madman. She thinks hes a coward for threatening suicide, but he was brave in the war. Dr Holmes insists nothing is wrong with Septimus. But Lucrezia suffers. She misses Italy:the people are alive there; not like Londoners. She feels very alone in Regents Park. She wonders: at night, does the park go back in time and look just like it did when the Romans lived there? Septimus is lost in thoughts of God and crime. A bird sings to him in Greek (but of course). Still sitting on the park bench, he sees a man (Evans) emerge from behind some railings. Lucrezia returns to her husbands side, interrupting his hallucination. Together, they proceed to the Regents Park tube station. A stranger, Maisie Johnson, asks them for directions, noticing how odd the couple seems. Shes only nineteen and just visiting London for the first time. Lucrezia and Septimus give her the creeps. An unknown character, Mrs Demster, cant help but notice Maisie Johnson. Mrs Demster looks at Maisie and thinks shell marry someday, but that she, too, is lonely. She looks at the plane and thinks of how she once longed to travel; the farthest she's been is on a boat in sight of shore. A man passes St. Pauls Cathedral and thinks of religion: it gives a sense of belonging. He thinks, why not enter the church? There are a lot of people coming and going in this book get used to it. They're not all main players, but their presence is important. Returning home, Clarissa is greeted by Lucy, the maid. She feels like a nun returning to the cloister, but still Clarissa feels the power of the moment. She feels blessed (though she doesnt believe in God, by the way) and is very thankful for servants and for Richard. Lucy announces that Mr Dalloway is out to lunch at Lady Brutons house. Clarissa is hurt that she wasnt invited along because Millicents lunches are known for being amusing. The moment suddenly feels empty. Clarissa goes upstairs to her room in the attic. She feels let down, old, shriveled. Her bed is narrow (like a nuns). She feels sexless, like a virgin; in fact, since her illness, she has slept alone. She feels like shes disappointed Richard sexually. Women have always charmed her she has felt momentary attractions to them, which she compares to a "match burning in a crocus" (2.11). (By the way, crocuses are much lovelier than they sound.)

Clarissa thinks of the past and of Sally Seton. Had she been in love with Sally? She remembers her as being beautiful and free-spirited. Sally once got in a fight with her family, and then pawned a brooch to get money to visit Clarissa at Bourton. Sally showed Clarissa that there was life outside her social circle; she made Clarissa feel free. And Aunt Helena sure didnt approve. Sally shocked Clarissas family with her manners and behavior. The feelings Clarissa had for Sally were unlike anything else. The two women had a special bond and they swore they would never marry. To be with Sally was to be absolutely fulfilled. One night Sally and Clarissa were walking in the garden, and Sally kissed her right on the lips. "The whole world might have turned upside down!" (1.16). It was the perfect moment until Peter interrupted them. Peter had a way of ruining things. He was determined to get in the way and always criticized things as "sentimental." Back in the present moment, Clarissa finds the dress shell wear to her party that night. It has a rip, which she decides to repair herself; the maids are too busy getting things ready. Clarissa flits about the house, giving instructions to Lucy. She has just begun to mend the dress when the doorbell rings. It is Peter Walsh, who insists on coming in. He thinks she looks older and she thinks hes about the same. Peter plays with his penknife (some things never change). Peter compares his life to hers: hes been in India while she has been here in London married to Richard. Clarissa wields her scissors as she speaks and she teases him that she wont invite him to her party. The two of them remember being at Bourton. Clarissas father, Justin Parry, never liked Peter. Clarissa adds that he never liked any of her friends (especially those who wanted to marry her). Sadly, Clarissa never visits Bourton anymore. Peter wonders if he should tell Clarissa about Daisy. Compared to Clarissa with her parties and conservative husband, Peter thinks Daisy would seem plain. He assumes Richard and Clarissa think hes a failure. His life has involved travel, adventure, love affairs, and work, while hers has been about social engagements and parties. (Apparently parties are an indicator of success!) Peter is eager to give the impression that he has had an extraordinary career and that now hes completely in love with Daisy. It must be a younger woman, thinks Clarissa. And in fact, Peter confesses that Daisy is, in fact, married to a major in the Indian army and has two children. Scandalous! He has come to London to see about arranging her divorce. Clarissa thinks hes a fool, always involved in some romantic nonsense. Peter suddenly bursts into tears. Richard would never show this much emotion. Speaking of Richard, hes still off lunching with Lady Bruton not realizing that his wife is fraternizing with a guy who wanted to marry her. Oh well. Clarissa comforts Peter, and he asks her if shes happy being married to Richard. Clarissas daughter enters the room, interrupting the moment. Peter gets out of there pretty quickly, as Clarissa shouts after him to come to her party that night. Peter leaves, thinking about Clarissa and her frivolous party. Clarissa has changed, he thinks: now shes sentimental, hard, insincere.

Once upon a time, she refused to marry him. He fights off the feeling that hes old now; and as a bell tolls, he thinks that Clarissa will die soon. That's pretty depressing. Peter considers what others might think of him that he was expelled from Oxford, that he had been a Socialist. Some soldiers march past and Peter feels a sense of pride. He admires what they represent: "duty, gratitude, fidelity, love of England" (3.5). Traffic stops out of respect for the soldiers who are honoring those lost in the war. Peter arrives in Trafalgar Square, where there are a bunch of statues of famous men. His life seems like a farce and so does the divorce, but he still feels young. He begins to follow an attractive woman down the street, still playing with the pen-knife in his pocket. This ladys not sophisticated like Clarissa. Peter considers himself something of a wild man and a player, above the pretensions of British upper-class society. The young woman goes into her house, and Peter continues walking, observing people in their homes enjoying life in London. Peter reflects on his deep affection for civilization; he feels pride in England. He remembers being at Bourton with Clarissa and even being with her at Regents Park. Peter sits on a bench next to a nurse with a baby. He begins to drift off to sleep while smoking a cigar and thinking about what an odd girl Elizabeth is. The nurse next to Peter knits as he sleeps. Mr Player has a dream involving various women. In the dream, hes a "solitary traveler" (4.2). One woman is made of branches; shes compassionate and generous. Next he imagines an elderly woman seeking a lost son. He walks down a street, imagining everyone succumbing to complete annihilation. Next he dreams about his landlady cleaning up for the evening. (Yeah, dreams are strange, even in literature.) He wakes up and says aloud, "The death of the soul" (4.10). These words take him back to a summer at Bourton, when he was deeply in love with Clarissa. Flashback alert! In the flashback, Peter and Clarissa are talking about a neighborhood woman who had a baby out of wedlock. Clarissa is totally shocked by this, and her prudishness disturbs Peter. He knows she was brought up in a strict, proper family, but her reaction is still pretty scornful. Clarissa knows her reaction bothers him and she tries to convince him that she is, in fact, a sympathetic person too she swears! Still, she knows that inside hes criticizing her. They were always able to communicate without words. Her coldness depresses him. At dinner one night, Peter sits next to Clarissas Aunt Helena, a kind but impressive figure of a woman. Clarissa sits across the table from a man Peter doesnt know, but he thinks to himself, "She will marry that man" (4.17). That man is Richard Dalloway, whom Clarissa accidentally calls Wickham (Jane Austen shout-out, anyone?). Peter remembers feeling devastated, abandoned by Clarissa. He is left behind to talk to Aunt Helena, while Clarissa is off conspiring against him with this new guy. Clarissa comes back and asks him to join her and her friends outside. Peter is immediately giddy with delight, but he still somehow knows she will marry Richard. (Pretty impressive psychic work, Pete!)

All summer, its clear that Clarissa is in love, sending and receiving letters, acting all emotional. Peter decides to talk to her. He cant sleep; he knows he is losing her. He begs her to tell him the truth and she does: whatever they had is over. Hes devastated and leaves Bourton, never to return. End of flashback. Peter returns to present day, sitting on a bench in Regents Park, watching a little girl play. Nearby sits Lucrezia, suffering, resenting Septimus talk of suicide. The child runs into her and begins to cry. Lucrezia watches the girl run over to her nurse, whos sitting next to Peter. Lucrezia wonders why she suffers so much. What did she do to deserve it? Its almost time to leave the park. Septimus has an appointment with Sir William Bradshaw. Meanwhile, Septimus sits under a tree talking to himself, or perhaps to Evans, his friend who was killed in the war. Lucrezia met Evans once. He seemed like a nice man. But Septimus had changed since the war. He imagines people talking behind the walls and has visions of a womans head in a fern. He talks about killing himself. He reads peoples thoughts as they go down the street. He fears falling into flames. (All of this can probably be attributed to post-traumatic stress disorder, often suffered by war veterans.) Septimus speaks of death and of Miss Isabel Pole. Lucrezia wants to go home to Italy. Shes getting so thin that her wedding ring no longer fits. Septimus feels like their marriage is over; it turns out this is a great relief to him. Hes burdened by the truths he knows about love and crime, civilization and great men. He is eager to pass these truths on to everyone, including the British government. In a moment of terror, he sees a dog turn into a man. His body is melting; flowers are growing through his flesh; he hears the sound of a penny whistle. He imagines himself a drowned sailor on a rock. The birds and the sun oppress him. He feels deep fear, but beauty surrounds him. The trees wave at him. This is all very scary to think about, even as readers. We can't even begin to imagine what Septimus is going through. Lucrezia urges him to leave the park, but Septimus is frozen: he sees Evans singing behind a tree. Evans comes toward him. Okay, never mind: its really just Peter Walsh. Peter is watching Septimus and Lucrezia. He sees them as a young couple just having a lovers quarrel. Peter has been off in India for five years and a lot has changed: these days, newspapers discuss unseemly subjects and women apply make-up in public. (The horror!) Its definitely not the same place it used to be. Peter remembers Sally Seton (the same one Mrs Dalloway was thinking about before). He cant believe that liberated, free-spirited Sally has gotten married. She was always Peters favorite among Clarissas friends. She shared Peters dislike of Hugh Whitbread, for one thing. Hugh always worshiped the aristocracy; he was a stiff, a do-gooder, and Sally saw through that. This guys was also judgmental, condescending, and a conservative about womens rights. One time, he actually kissed Sally. She saw it as as punishment for her different views on women.

But now, Peter thinks, Hugh is successful and married to the "Honorable Evelyn" (4.64). Now that Peter needs a job, he has to humble himself to the likes of Hugh and Richard ugh. Richard isn't such a bad guy, but Clarissas admiration for him is a little nauseating. In their days at Bourton, Sally begged Peter to rescue Clarissa from men like Hugh and Richard. There was something special about Clarissa not her looks or her mind, just something. He insists to himself that hes not still in love with her. He thinks about all the things he dislikes about her: shes worldly, cares too much for society matters, and dislikes failure. Not to mention, Richards patriotism influences her. Together, Richard and Clarissa concern themselves with political parties, tradition, and society gatherings; theyre very middle class. But Clarissa had read Huxley and Tyndall (two scientists who wanted to separate religion from science back in the day), so Peter wonders if the ideas in their books affected her at all. Did she have a profound philosophy? Clarissa had seen her sister Sylvia killed by a falling tree at Bourton. Somehow, Clarissa handled it well and didnt become bitter. It seemed that she always enjoyed life no matter what. And she liked what Peter believed were silly, inconsequential things: flowers in the park, a lunch conversation, endless social events. She enjoyed with no discrimination whatsoever. Still, she made Peter suffer. Daisy, on the other hand, doesnt make Peter suffer at all. Is he really in love with her then? Is she in love with him? He went long periods without even thinking about her. Maybe he just didnt want her to marry anyone else. Clarissa is so cold, he thinks. Peter walks down the street, observing a vagrant woman singing some meaningless sounds outside the Regents Park tube station. (The tube is what they call the Subway in London.) Her voice is like the sounds of the earth and the past. She seems to be singing about a lost lover, memory and death, loss and the universe. She seems to be part of earth itself. Deep. Lucrezia and Septimus walk past the old woman and Lucrezia pities her. In any case, she must get Septimus to Sir William Bradshaw. From the outside, Septimus looks like a normal man; perhaps a clerk, a self-educated man with an apartment and a motor car. Before the war, he left home leaving only a note behind. He came to London, anxious to better himself. He attended lectures on Shakespeare by Miss Isabel Pole. He read Darwin, George Bernard Shaw, and Keats, and loved Miss Isabel Pole more than all of them. Septimus had worked for Mr Brewer at Sibleys and Arrowsmiths, auctioneers, valuers, land and estate agents in London. Mr Brewer thought Septimus needed some manning up, and he encouraged him to try playing football. Septimus volunteered at the very start of the war. He got very close to his senior officer, Evans. But when Evans was killed right before the Armistice, Septimus felt nothing. The war taught him to be a man, to be brave and stoic, to be reasonable about violence and death. Then he met Rezia (Lucrezia) and got engaged to her one night, and it occurred to him that he couldnt feel anything (emotionally). Located in Milan, he had watched Rezia and

her sisters making hats. Rezia loved the fabrics and ribbons; she admired hats and loved ice cream. Random, but we agree. But Septimus was numb. He read Dantes Inferno and started to believe in the possibility that the world has no meaning. After the war, he returned to work for Mr Brewer. He continued to read but now felt like Shakespeare both loathed humanity (4.95) and thought that "[l]ove between a man and a woman was repulsive" (4.78). He and Lucrezia could not bring children into this world, thought Septimus. To do so would be to create more misery. He felt that humans were like animals. He drew pictures of the horror he imagined, of the ugliness of people. He thought he might go mad. Back in the present day, Lucrezia bears the pain of her suffering, shell-shocked husband. But he feels no sympathy for her. He feels nothing, just like the day they got engaged. Dr Holmes says theres nothing wrong with Septimus; everything can be explained. But Septimus believes hes been condemned to death for the sin of having no feeling. He has been accused of crimes, such as marrying Rezia without being in love with her. People on the street shuddered at his sins. Dr Holmes recommends that Septimus gain some weight and suggests that his health is all in his control. He refers to Septimus' suffering as a "funk," and says that what Septimus really needs is a hobby. He has to stop making his wife anxious thats selfish. Pretty harsh, Doc. Dr Holmes has visited Septimus every day. To Septimus, Dr Holmes represents the brutality of human nature punishing him for his inability to feel. The world wants Septimus to kill himself. But how should he do it? Evans speaks to him from a screen. Septimus' distraught mumbling scares Rezia. She sends for Dr Holmes. He tells them that if they have no confidence in him, they should see Sir William Bradshaw instead. A quick peek back into Mrs Dalloway's whereabouts. Clarissa lays out her green dress as Big Ben strikes twelve oclock. And...back to Septimus and Lucrezia. The Smiths arrive at Harley Street to visit Sir William Bradshaw. His stately car is parked outside. Hes a dedicated physician and a good husband. He has actually been knighted and is respected by patients and the public alike. Upon first glance at Septimus, Bradshaw can tell that hes a mess, that he is having a complete nervous breakdown. (Thank goodness for a second opinion, right?) Bradshaw asks questions and writes answers on little pink cards. Had Septimus served with distinction in the war? Septimus thinks of the war as "that little shindy of schoolboys with gunpowder" (4.113) Rezia insists that he served with distinction, but that Septimus believes he has been "condemned to death by human nature." Septimus tells the doctor he has "committed a crime" (4.116-17). He has threatened to kill himself, Rezia tells Bradshaw. Bradshaw tells her that Septimus needs rest, in the country, away from her. Septimus thinks about his crime. Should he tell them? Should he communicate his message?

Bradshaw is above all a scientist. There is no such thing as madness, just a lack of Proportion (whatever that means!). Septimus simply needs rest, no friends or books, and he has to gain some weight. This doctor is respected, has a wife devoted to the right causes (and who allows him complete power over her, by the way), and a son. He lives life around the philosophy of Proportion and Conversion. This man puts lunatics in their proper place: where no one can see them. His patients must conform, or be put away. People he calls crazy definitely cant have children. They must stop thinking about themselves and instead think of "love, duty, self sacrifice" (4.151). They have to be courageous, dedicated to career, and in control. To Bradshaw, questions of Gods existence dont matter. He is the one in power. His patients must succumb to his will. Those in his care are not so much patients as they are victims. Rezia doesnt like the guy. (Neither do we, to be frank.) We are now with Hugh Whitbread, whos examining socks in the window of a shop on Oxford Street. He is on his way to lunch at Lady Brutons house. No one knows exactly what he does as a profession, and some gossip suggests that hes pretty low on the totem pole, but he is associated with some work as a guard at Buckingham Palace. He goes through the motions of doing all the right things that someone of his social standing does: he concerns himself with morality and writes editorial letters in to the London Times. Hugh brings carnations to the lunch, as he always does. He greets Lady Brutons secretary, Miss Brush, believing incorrectly that her brother lives in South Africa. Hes oblivious to everyones strong dislike of him; he is simply too pompous to notice. Lady Bruton is a social force at sixty-two years old. She much prefers Richard to Hugh, but Hugh is good for some things. A parade of servants brings in their meal. The hostess descends from great military generals and in fact, she herself almost looks like one. She has an impressive pedigree and some important stuff lying around her house: a vine under which some famous poets once sat and a framed telegram of an important military order. Though she asks about Clarissa, Lady Bruton has never been interested in women. She especially doesnt like it when women get in their husbands way professionally, or when they become ill and demanding. Yikes. Hugh announces that he saw Clarissa that morning, then the conversation turns to Peter Walsh. Lady Bruton, Hugh, and Richard all think of how in love Peter had been with Clarissa, how he had gone to India and gotten into a mess, and how hes essentially a flawed man. These people really aren't very nice to each other, geez. Richard thinks about his own love of Clarissa and decides that after lunch hell go home and tell her that he loves her. (Sound like that's not really a regular occurrence.) Lady Bruton, Hugh, and Richard all gather over coffee to write an editorial letter to the Times about emigration to Canada. Emigration is her "cause," and her solution to overpopulation in England.

They compose several drafts of this letter. Richard feels that Hughs work on the letter is mediocre, but Hugh makes some encouraging remarks about getting the letter to the editor of the Times. Lady Bruton is so delighted that she absurdly puts the bouquet of carnations down her blouse and calls Hugh "My Prime Minister!" (4.186). Yeah, were still trying to figure out that one, too. Richard wants to write a history of Lady Brutons family, which is full of "military men, administrators, admirals [and] men of action, who had done their duty" (4.185). She reminds Richard that all of the family papers are ready whenever he needs to consult them for his book. The lunch party breaks up. Lady Bruton takes a nap, drifting off and thinking about her youth and about Richard and Hugh. The two men look in an antique shop window. Hugh considers buying a Spanish necklace for his wife, Evelyn. Richard feels underwhelmed by life. He doesnt care at all about emigration. He never bought Clarissa jewelry, and she didnt care. Peter loved her so much, he thinks. Hugh is a blow-hard. Interesting thought process. Richard decides to buy Clarissa flowers. He thinks to himself that whats left of life after the war is a miracle; just think about all the death and the forgotten men. Richard has tried his best to help people, to commit himself to social reform. He pities people who are on the streets and believes that the police arent doing right by them. He has to get home and tell Clarissa that he loves her. Thoughts of Buckingham Palace and its dignity and tradition soothe him, and once again, he feels happy. Arriving home, Richard finds that Clarissa is upset that her frumpy, dull cousin Ellie Henderson is coming to her party. Its enough that Elizabeth is spending time with that awful Miss Kilman; what more could go wrong? Richard enters holding flowers. He cant bring himself to say "I love you," but she understands what hes thinking. They talk about Miss Kilman, Peter Walsh, the party, and writing the letter for Lady Bruton. He wonders why she gives these parties when they stress her out so much. He leaves again to go to a meeting about Armenians or Albanians. It's always something. Clarissa cherishes the independence that she and Richard have in their marriage. But he looks after her, making sure she rests after lunch. She feels a twinge of guilt for caring more about roses than Armenians. (We all have those moments, don't we?) As she lies down, Clarissa tries to figure out why she feels so disturbed. She didnt like how Peter and Richard criticized her parties. Theyre an offering: her form of creation, a gift. While Clarissa is resting, Elizabeth comes into the room very quietly, while Miss Kilman waits outside the door in her unsightly mackintosh (that's a raincoat). As you might remember, Mrs Dalloway doesn't think very highly of her: shes poor and over forty, she resents the rich, and she looks down on Clarissas background and limited education. She is entitled and bitter, pious and judgmental. Clarissa feels that Miss Kilman is stealing Elizabeth away from her. Elizabeth leaves with Miss Kilman to have tea. Clarissa considers love and religion detestable. (This thought makes some sense in the context: remember that Miss Kilman

brings Elizabeth to Catholic meetings.) She becomes repulsed by the idea of Miss Kilmans body and her efforts to convert people to Christianity. Climbing the stairs, Clarissa looks out the window at the house across the way. She often watches a woman who leaves there; she finds the woman peaceful compared to the thought of Peter Walshs oppressive love. Interesting comparison. Now we're in Miss Kilman's thoughts. (You still with us?) Miss Kilman is concerned with controlling the flesh. She thinks that Clarissa mocks her ugliness. She despises Clarissas shallowness and vanity. Her own desires are simple: tea, a hot water bottle, some clothing, and comfort. Miss Kilman knows she has an unlovable body, but does she have to suffer for that? Why should she suffer while Clarissa has all of the comforts she needs? Elizabeth and Miss Kilman enter the Army and Navy Stores. They shop a bit and then have some tea and cakes. Miss Kilman eats greedily while eying a pink cake being eaten by a child. She lectures Elizabeth about the war: not everyone thought the English were right, not everyone was full of patriotic emotion. Elizabeth should come to one of her meetings and hear the different opinions. Miss Kilman makes people feel bad for having things, for not suffering like she does. Elizabeth is eager to leave (she's not interested in this woman), but Miss Kilman asks if shell go to her mothers party that evening. As she shoves an clair into her mouth, Miss Kilman announces that she doesnt get invited to parties, but she actually doesnt pity herself for that (though she clearly does). She almost blurts out that she pities Elizabeths mother, but knows that such a remark is going too far. Elizabeth hastily gets out of there, and immediately, Miss Kilman feels her absence deeply and profoundly. She decides to go pray at Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth boards an omnibus, which moves through neighborhoods that are unfamiliar to her. Shes relieved to be free of Miss Kilman: too much talk of suffering. Elizabeth pays another penny to go up the Strand (a street in London). Seeing all of the working people makes Elizabeth want to have a profession, to be a doctor or a member of Parliament or something. She feels very daring being at the Strand: its not the kind of thing a Dalloway does. She realizes that its gotten kind of late, and her mother will be worried. Its time to go home. Now were back with Septimus again. Hes lying on a couch in his home, watching the light dance on the walls and the trees move outside the window. He recalls a line from Shakespeare, "Fear no more," which he repeats to himself. Rezia sits nearby making a hat. Her husbands behavior is really disturbing to her. The desk drawer is full of his crazy ideas about war and death and Shakespeare, and he claims to know everything. Now he sees Evans in the room, singing. Once, the cleaning lady read his notes and laughed mockingly. To Septimus, Dr Holmes represents everything thats wrong with human nature. Septimus lies on the couch, fearing (aloud) that he will fall into flames. His fears seem so real that Rezia looks around for actual flames. Rezia continues to make a hat for the landlords daughter, Mrs Peters.

Septimus squeezes his eyes shut. "He would not go mad" (5.105). He looks around, hoping that he doesnt have any hallucinations now that his eyes are open. All is okay, for now. Hes afraid that Rezias face will look deformed, so he peers at her face from behind his hand. Rezia and Septimus share a laugh about Mrs Peters about how ridiculous she would look in the hat, like a pig at a fair. For the moment, everything feels normal. To Rezias great relief, Septimus seems like his old self right then. A knock at the door startles Rezia. (Is it Sir William Bradshaw coming to take Septimus away?) But its just a young girl bringing the newspaper, as she does every evening. Septimus starts to fall asleep. Once again, Septimus begins to hear the "voices of the dead" (5.129). He cries out for Evans. Its getting late and Bradshaw will be there soon. This doctor believes that its not healthy for the unwell to be around people who are fond of them. Septimus feels a deep loathing for Holmes and Bradshaw, believing theyre after him. He asks Rezia to bring him his papers, with pictures of people with wings, diagrams, faces in waves, notes on beauty, death, Time, Universal love, and Shakespeare. He looks at Rezia. Shes a flowering tree. She is a miracle. But he fears the judges (Bradshaw and Holmes). They hear noises downstairs. Rezia runs to prevent Holmes from coming up right away. She needs time to prepare herself and Septimus. Holmes pushes his way past Rezia. Desperately, Septimus looks around for some way to kill himself right there and then. A bread knife? Razors? The gas fire? He doesnt actually want to die, but he cant be given over to the doctors. He just cant. And just like that, Septimus throws himself out the window, shouting, "Ill give it to you!" (5.152) In the blink of an eye, he is impaled on the railings outside. Just then, Dr Holmes walks in and calls Septimus a coward. The landlady, Mrs Filmer, arrives and tells Rezia that her husband's body is horribly mangled. Rezia is worried that theyll bring the body in the room and she takes a sedative given to her by Dr Holmes; she falls asleep. Peter Walsh thinks about civilization as an ambulance swiftly passes him on the street. After India, England seems so organized. He wonders whos in the ambulance but then dismisses the thought as too morbid and sentimental. He thinks back to when he used to ride the omnibus with Clarissa. They lamented how difficult it was to really and truly know someone. Clarissa believed in seeking out places in order to understand people; she was always really friendly and cordial with strangers. Peter thinks about the deep impression Clarissa has made on his life. Arriving at his hotel, Peter thinks back to the days of Bourton, when he took long walks with Clarissa. Today, he receives a letter from her telling him how nice it was to see him. He feels annoyed thinking of how she must have sent the letter immediately after he left. (That's so Clarissa.) Peter begins to think of Daisy and how different she is from Clarissa. A friend warned him that Daisy shouldn't get a divorce and marry Peter, who is so old. She would have to leave her children and bear the judgment of others. Peter isn't too concerned: he thought hed write books if he retired.

He shaves and goes to have dinner in the hotel dining room. Hes self-conscious of what the other diners must think of him. They admire him and think hes important; especially the way he orders Bartlett pears (hmmm). He thinks about Clarissas party and how hell ask Richard what the governments plans are with India. Way to think of conversation topics ahead of time, Pete. He enjoys the long evening, how it's still light out (it's June). As he walks to Clarissas, Peter thinks about the beauty in London. He cherishes the sight of people preparing for a nice evening, couples walking, parties, and diners enjoying meals outside. At Mrs Dalloway's house, servants are busy making last-minute preparations for the party. Everything looks beautiful. Theres excitement that the prime minister himself will be coming. (Thats weird: he couldnt make Shmoop's party) Some other stuff is going down, too: The cook, Mrs Walker, is unfazed by his arrival; shes only worried about undercooking the salmon. The men request the Imperial Tokay, a sweet-tasting wine. Elizabeth is worried that her dog is acting up. You know, the usual. As guests arrive, their names are announced. Clarissa greets everyone in her charming way, which Peter finds irritatingly fake. Clarissa can feel Peter's disapproval and she frets that Peter is criticizing her. Shes just grateful that shes not an old frump like Ellie Henderson. She wonders why Peter bothered to come if he felt so darn scornful of her. Clarissa begins to calm down, seeing that her party might be a success after all. Ellie Henderson takes mental notes of every detail and every guest. Richard is the only one who's friendly to her. At all of her parties, Clarissa begins to feel out of sorts: not herself, almost unreal. The hired butler, Mr Wilkins, announces the arrival of Lady Rosseter, who turns out to be Sally Seton. Sally has changed a lot, now a mother of "five enormous boys" (6.25), she tells Clarissa. Just then, the prime minister arrives. Clarissa is distracted. A feeling of greatness fills the room, even though he looks strikingly ordinary. Peter is disgusted by all of the snobbery. He sees Hugh and notes how fat that doofus and villain has become. Ouch. Watching Clarissa stirs profound feelings for Peter: her green dress and earrings, her elegant ways; she embodies the exquisiteness of the moment. He still insists to himself that hes not in love with her anymore. We're not buying it. As Clarissa says good-bye to the prime minister, she thinks of how tepid (lukewarm) he makes her feel. The hatred she feels for Miss Kilman is a far more powerful and meaningful emotion to her. Clarissa mingles with her guests, but they all seem mediocre in spite of their surface accomplishments. Old Aunt Helena eventually shows up. Shes very old, but not dead, as some thought. Clarissa once again abandons Peter for a conversation with her. Aunt Helena wants to talk about Burma and orchids (naturally). Clarissa moves on to talk to Lady Bruton and

has an awkward exchange with her. Then Lady Bruton sees Peter Walsh and thinks about his failures. Sally and Peter are eager to talk to Clarissa, but shes too busy with her other guests. Sally has changed a lot: shes no longer a wild rebel and she no longer champions causes and dislikes men. But she still is charming, that's for sure. Clarissa greets Sir and Lady William Bradshaw. The very sight of Bradshaw affects Clarissa physically. He deals with people who have profound mental problems. He makes the tough decisions. Clarissa once asked for his advice, but the appointment was oppressive and she couldnt wait to leave. She knows hes competent, admired, and at the top of his profession, but something about him disturbs her. Suddenly Lady Bradshaw blurts out that one of her husbands patients just killed himself. Way to have some tact, Lady Bradshaw. Clarissa is repulsed that death has been mentioned at her fine party. She walks into a room by herself, outraged that someone has "brought" death into her party. She thinks about the young man who killed himself, threw it all away. She wonders why. Shes never flung anything away except a coin into a lake. (Not quite the same.) Everyone had memories of Bourton all day, but they would grow old. By killing himself, the young man preserved something, found meaning, reached a "centre." Clarissa thinks about Sir William Bradshaw and the sinister power he wields, how he must have ruined everything for this man. She understands the awful fear; she had felt it just that morning. She feels disgraced by Septimus' power to give it all up; it's something she could never do. Clarissa walks to the window and sees her neighbor again. For once, the woman is looking straight back at her. Clarissa feels a deep connection to Septimus. "He made her feel the beauty; made her feel the fun" (6.92). Meanwhile, Sally and Peter are talking on the couch, laughing and waiting for Clarissa. Peter thinks about how Sally used to be dressed in rags and is now a Lady. They scoff together at Hugh Whitbread, but Peter thinks himself a failure compared to all of the dignified people at the party. They talk about how Clarissa is a snob, though they both love her. Clarissa can be hard on people. Peter confesses that his life has been difficult, but Sally reassures him that Clarissa never loved Richard the way she loved Peter. Peter watches Elizabeth talking to her father, noting the warmth between them. He concedes that Richard isnt a bad man. Sally goes to talk to Richard and Peter decides to join her, but a sudden feeling of terror and ecstasy comes over him. Clarissa has returned.