12 Questions
In which year was Virginia Woolf's novel Mrs. Dalloway published?
1925
What was the original working title of Mrs. Dalloway?
The Hours
What is the main event that Clarissa Dalloway is preparing for in the novel?
A party
What is the name of the short story that was later developed into Mrs. Dalloway?
Mrs. Dalloway in Bond Street
In which year did Mrs. Dalloway enter the public domain in the United States?
2021
What is the list that Mrs. Dalloway was included on in 2005?
TIME Magazine's list of the 100 best English-language novels
What triggers Clarissa's introspection about her marriage and past choices?
A visit from her former suitor Peter Walsh
What is the primary consequence of Septimus's war experience on his personal life?
He becomes isolated and emotionally numb
How does Clarissa respond to the news of Septimus's suicide at her party?
She gradually comes to admire his act as a attempt to preserve his happiness
What is the primary narrative technique used in Mrs. Dalloway?
Stream of consciousness storytelling
How does Lucrezia experience the consequences of her husband's war experience?
She experiences major loneliness and isolation
What is the timeframe in which the majority of the novel's action takes place?
A day in the middle of June 1923
Study Notes
Novel Overview
- Mrs. Dalloway is a novel by Virginia Woolf, published on 14 May 1925.
- The novel explores a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class woman in post-World War I England.
- It is one of Woolf's best-known novels, and its working title was "The Hours".
Plot and Characters
- The novel follows Clarissa's preparations for a party and the ensuing party, while also exploring her past and relationships.
- Clarissa's day is filled with thoughts of her choice of husband, Richard Dalloway, and her feelings for Peter Walsh, whom she had considered marrying.
- Peter Walsh visits Clarissa, rekindling old feelings and conflicts.
- Septimus Warren Smith, a First World War veteran, struggles with deferred traumatic stress and hallucinations.
- Septimus's relationship with his doctors is poor, and he commits suicide by jumping out of a window.
Style and Themes
- The novel is written in a stream of consciousness style, closely tracking the thoughts of its characters.
- The narration follows at least twenty characters, with a focus on Clarissa, Peter, and Septimus.
- The novel explores the nature of time, personal experience, and the inter-war social structure.
- It addresses themes of identity, relationships, and the human experience of trauma.
Publication and Legacy
- Mrs. Dalloway was included on TIME Magazine's list of the 100 best English-language novels written since 1923.
- The novel entered the public domain in the United States on January 1, 2021.
Test your knowledge of Virginia Woolf's 1925 novel Mrs. Dalloway, which explores a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, a fictional upper-class woman in post-First World War England. Learn about the novel's origins, characters, and themes. Discover the working title and short stories that inspired this iconic novel.
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