Social Criticism In Virginia Woolf's Novel - Mrs. Dalloway

The word ‘Social Criticism’ means to criticize the social system of a particular society. Here, the author has criticized the superficial British upper-class society in the novel ‘Mrs. Dalloway’. Mrs. Dalloway is shown in the era when the British society was still facing the after- effects of the World War 1. This war had destroyed not only the architecture of London but it had also impacted the social system. Woolf shows London as people with different disabilities, socio- economic status and sexualities.

Mrs. Dalloway shows how English society stuck to its old, outdated traditions and pretends that nothing has changed with time. Woolf criticizes social conventions through internal monologue of Clarissa Dalloway, Lady Bruton, Hugh Whitbread, Septimus, etc. in post-World War. Woolf in her novel shows how power and money can seize people’s real identity. Woolf demonstrates the mental repercussions of each character and their perspectives, experiences and backgrounds past the World War 1 effect in London.

Woolf employs Clarissa as a medium for criticizing patriarchal society, including class and heteronormativity. Clarissa ends up marrying Richard because she is part of society that believes in heteronormativity. Clarissa marrying Richard also represents superficiality of upper-class society. It is shown in the text when Peter says the following lines:

“How he scolded her! how they argued! She would marry a Prime Minister and stand at the top of a staircase; the perfect hostess he called her (she cried over it in her bedroom), she had the makings of the perfect hostess, he said.”

 Clarissa’s love for Sally Seton breaks the stereotypical norms of patriarchal society. Clarissa used to visit only prestigious shops and also did not invite her poor cousin to the party; this shows her class-based discrimination.

 

The character of Richard represents the old outdated British man as he is a member of parliament an associate member of English high society. Richard is associated with conservative party which denoted his personality traits as old- fashioned and staid. He seems not connected to his wife’s feelings and is mostly interested in political career and social expectation. Conservatism is also shown in the character of Prime Minister. At first Peter talked about his greatness and when he appears in the party, he is usual and almost laughable man, this shows the contradiction in what Peter say. The Prime Minister represents the old British Empire, repression and classism. This should be removed from the society in order to make progress. Aunt Helena, Lady Bruton and Hugh Whitbread represents the same outdated British upper-class society.

Septimus Smith is shown as a World -War 1 veteran, who is suffering from shell-shock and commits suicide in frustration. He was not willing to be dependent on his wife Lucrezia as he was a product of typical men of patriarchal society.

 The society ignores his mental illness as they were not ready to accept it. Septimus fought bravely for the country but now they are trying to pretend that the war has left no after effects on its soldiers.

Peter Walsh portrays ruthlessness of the social system. He seems to be proud when he sees boys in uniform marching with their arms stiff. He thinks that women should perceive the world as he did, according to him women are inferior to man. Clarissa rejects him and his male centric ideology. She rejects male egocentrism.

Aunt Helena is portrayed as someone who is not interested in the superficial party of Clarissa. Aunt Helena is an outdated part of English society, whom Clarissa accepts as a restrained personality and hence according to her, Aunt Helena is perfect example of femininity. She is relic of a strict English society.

William Bradshaw is portrayed as an upper- class patriarchal oppressor. He is conserved to the British way of life where a man does not show his vulnerability. He is rich and a proud British man. Conservatism is shown in his character when he wants to change people and take them under his power and make them into obedient patients. This shows his dominant patriarchal side.

Through this novel, Woolf proves that women can be vocal even in patriarchal society. Women should not wait for good social treatment neither should they seek to dominate over men. She criticizes all the aspects of the society through different characters. It makes readers challenge the authority of a male and criticizes patriarchal dominance. It also represents outdated and stuffy British upper-class traditions.

 

References:

[1] Woolf, Virginia. “Mrs. Dalloway”. Britain, Hogarth Press, 1925

[2] “Social Criticism”. Lit charts,

https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/mrs-dalloway-by-virginia-woolf-the-superficiality-of-social-conventions-in-society/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CMrs%20Dalloway%E2%80%9D%20becomes%20an%20extended,Whitbread%2C%20the%20sophisticated%20Lady%20Burton.

[3] Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf: The Superficiality of Social Convention in Society. Grade Fixer,

https://www.litcharts.com/lit/mrs-dalloway/themes/social-criticism

[4] Sir William Bradshaw (Dr. Bradshaw) in Mrs. Dalloway. Shmoop, https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/mrs-dalloway/dr-bradshaw#:~:text=Sir%20William%20Bradshaw%20is%20the,women)%20should%20be%20in%20control.

[5] Helena Perry (Aunt Helena) in Mrs. Dalloway. Shmoop,

https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/mrs-dalloway/aunt-helena-perry#:~:text=Aunt%20Helena%20is%20a%20perfect,colonial%20Burma%20in%20the%201870s.

 

Note: This blog is written by my students of TYBA English: Vidhi Tank, Shanaya Tata, Pushpa Teli, Bhargavi Thakore and Pragati Tripathi.