Depression
We see a common theme of depression throughout the novel Mrs. Dalloway specifically in the characters of Clarissa Dalloway. For example throughout the novel we see that Clarissa has many pessimistic views on society and everyone in them except for that of herself and her parties, very superficial views. One example we see of this is her outlook on religion which we can see starting at a young age. Clarissa witness the death of her sister and blames the gods for letting such a terrible thing happens. And comes to realize as she gets older that if such a horrible thing could happen to such a young girl then how could there be any god? “Later she wasn’t so positive perhaps; she thought there were no Gods; no one was to blame; and so she evolved this atheist’s religion of doing good for the sake of goodness.” A negative outlook on life is not to think that there are good people in the world but rather the only reason people do good things is because that’s what they’re supposed to do.
Another pessimistic view we see of Clarissa’s in the novel is her view towards people, for example her view towards William Bradshaw are negative as she sees him as bad guy. “Never, never had Rezia felt such agony in her life! She had asked for help and been deserted! He had failed them! Sir William Bradshaw was not a nice man.” She thinks that instead of helping people he is trying to control the weak. She also feels that his view of patients are that of science experiments, not taking into consideration he is a doctor.
Throughout the novel we also see a distaste towards Mrs. Kilman. Clarissa feels as if She is taking Elizabeth away from her and doing things she doesn’t like them doing. Clarissa however at least tries to be civil with Kilman, she on the other hand coming from poverty and also showing signs of depression is not civil. She knows of Clarissa’s lack of religion and tries to convert Elizabeth. “She was about to split asunder, she felt. The agony was so terrific. If she could grasp her, if she could clasp her, if she could make her hers absolutely and forever and then die; that was all she wanted. But to sit here, unable to think of anything to say; to see Elizabeth turning against her; to be felt repulsive even by her — it was too much; she could not stand it” here we see one instance of Kilman’s thoughts and feelings towards Elizabeth which border on insanity.
Throughout the novel we see a lot of depression and darkness in a lot of characters, everyone in a sense has only themselves in mind and their goals they want completed. Everyone is rather shallow as there isn’t too much to really look forward to, as mentioned before Dalloway focusses on her parties. We also see Kilman using her religion to her advantage and Bradshaw using his intelligence with science to his.
Another pessimistic view we see of Clarissa’s in the novel is her view towards people, for example her view towards William Bradshaw are negative as she sees him as bad guy. “Never, never had Rezia felt such agony in her life! She had asked for help and been deserted! He had failed them! Sir William Bradshaw was not a nice man.” She thinks that instead of helping people he is trying to control the weak. She also feels that his view of patients are that of science experiments, not taking into consideration he is a doctor.
Throughout the novel we also see a distaste towards Mrs. Kilman. Clarissa feels as if She is taking Elizabeth away from her and doing things she doesn’t like them doing. Clarissa however at least tries to be civil with Kilman, she on the other hand coming from poverty and also showing signs of depression is not civil. She knows of Clarissa’s lack of religion and tries to convert Elizabeth. “She was about to split asunder, she felt. The agony was so terrific. If she could grasp her, if she could clasp her, if she could make her hers absolutely and forever and then die; that was all she wanted. But to sit here, unable to think of anything to say; to see Elizabeth turning against her; to be felt repulsive even by her — it was too much; she could not stand it” here we see one instance of Kilman’s thoughts and feelings towards Elizabeth which border on insanity.
Throughout the novel we see a lot of depression and darkness in a lot of characters, everyone in a sense has only themselves in mind and their goals they want completed. Everyone is rather shallow as there isn’t too much to really look forward to, as mentioned before Dalloway focusses on her parties. We also see Kilman using her religion to her advantage and Bradshaw using his intelligence with science to his.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
By definition,
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is “a serious condition that can develop after a
person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic or terrifying event in which
serious physical harm occurred or was threatened. PTSD is a lasting consequence
of traumatic ordeals that can cause intense fear, helplessness, or horror, such
as a sexual or physical assault, the unexpected death of a loved one, an accident,
war, or natural disaster” (Wedmd.com).
Although it was not officially recognized as a mental disorder until 1980, PTSD
was classified as early as 1952, and garnered much attention with little
understanding after the first World War (brainline.org).
In Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, Septimus Warren Smith suffers from PTSD, referred to in the novel as “shell shock”. His wife Lucrezia is frustrated and embarrased by his public display, though consoled by doctor’s negative diagnosis of disease. A World War I veteran reterned home, Septimus dwells upon suicide as a means to escape the trauma of battle by which he is haunted.
The minimal medical knowledge of PTSD shows itself in the character, Dr. Holmes. As he interacts with Septimus, his beliefs are revealed:
“But, he continued, health is largely a matter in our own control. Throw yourself into outside interests; take up some hobby…For he had had forty years’ experience behind him; and Septimus could take Dr. Holmes’s word for it — there was nothing whatever the matter with him. And next time Dr. Holmes came he hoped to find Smith out of bed and not making that charming little lady his wife anxious about him.”
Septimus is pressured to conceal and overcome PTSD by the power of will, especially because (from Holmes’ perspective) there is nothing to overcome. Pressure mounts for having episodes, which occurs directly after this interaction. As he is seen as a burden on his wife for the illness, he considers suicide more and more to escape social pressures. Woolf appears to be commenting on the social phenomanon of victimizing mental illnesses. As she herself suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts, the thoughts represented by Dr. Holmes may be something the author experienced personally. Dr. Holmes is reflected as humankind in his first interaction with Septimus: “’You brute! You brute!’ cried Septimus, seeing human nature, that is Dr. Holmes, enter the room.” This suggests that Holmes’s response to mental illness is representative of mankind as a whole.
Sir William Bradshaw, also attempting to treat Septimus, represents a different medical approach to PTSD. Rather than denying its existence, Sir Bradshaw prescribes isolation in the countryside with treatment at his facility. Although he is a well-mannered man, Lucrezia leaves their interaction tinged with the notion that he is unkind. The novel hints at the pressures to adhere in conformity, Bradshaw acting as an agent on its behalf. He is vaguely reflected as powerhungry, rather than a physician with Septimus’s best interest. He emphasizes that Septimus will recover in “One of MY homes, Mr. Warren Smith,” communicating a sense of superiority over the methods of Holmes and others.
In Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, Septimus Warren Smith suffers from PTSD, referred to in the novel as “shell shock”. His wife Lucrezia is frustrated and embarrased by his public display, though consoled by doctor’s negative diagnosis of disease. A World War I veteran reterned home, Septimus dwells upon suicide as a means to escape the trauma of battle by which he is haunted.
The minimal medical knowledge of PTSD shows itself in the character, Dr. Holmes. As he interacts with Septimus, his beliefs are revealed:
“But, he continued, health is largely a matter in our own control. Throw yourself into outside interests; take up some hobby…For he had had forty years’ experience behind him; and Septimus could take Dr. Holmes’s word for it — there was nothing whatever the matter with him. And next time Dr. Holmes came he hoped to find Smith out of bed and not making that charming little lady his wife anxious about him.”
Septimus is pressured to conceal and overcome PTSD by the power of will, especially because (from Holmes’ perspective) there is nothing to overcome. Pressure mounts for having episodes, which occurs directly after this interaction. As he is seen as a burden on his wife for the illness, he considers suicide more and more to escape social pressures. Woolf appears to be commenting on the social phenomanon of victimizing mental illnesses. As she herself suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts, the thoughts represented by Dr. Holmes may be something the author experienced personally. Dr. Holmes is reflected as humankind in his first interaction with Septimus: “’You brute! You brute!’ cried Septimus, seeing human nature, that is Dr. Holmes, enter the room.” This suggests that Holmes’s response to mental illness is representative of mankind as a whole.
Sir William Bradshaw, also attempting to treat Septimus, represents a different medical approach to PTSD. Rather than denying its existence, Sir Bradshaw prescribes isolation in the countryside with treatment at his facility. Although he is a well-mannered man, Lucrezia leaves their interaction tinged with the notion that he is unkind. The novel hints at the pressures to adhere in conformity, Bradshaw acting as an agent on its behalf. He is vaguely reflected as powerhungry, rather than a physician with Septimus’s best interest. He emphasizes that Septimus will recover in “One of MY homes, Mr. Warren Smith,” communicating a sense of superiority over the methods of Holmes and others.
