The Feminist Themes in Virginia Woolf’s
"Mrs. Dalloway"
Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway (1925) is not only a landmark in modernist literature but also a
profound exploration of gender roles, identity, and the social constraints faced by women in early
20th-century Britain. Through the stream-of-consciousness narrative, Woolf delves into the inner
lives of her characters, primarily focusing on Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class woman who is
preparing to host a party in London. As the novel unfolds, Woolf uses Clarissa’s reflections,
along with those of other characters, to critique the limited roles available to women during this
period.
At the heart of Mrs. Dalloway is Clarissa’s struggle with identity. She has sacrificed her personal
ambitions and desires to fulfill the traditional role of a wife and mother. Despite her outwardly
privileged life, Clarissa’s internal monologue reveals deep dissatisfaction with her role in
society. She reflects on her past, particularly her relationship with Sally Seton, with whom she
once shared a passionate connection. Through this relationship, Woolf suggests an alternative to
the socially prescribed roles for women—one where female desire and independence are given
space to flourish. Yet, Clarissa is constrained by the expectations placed upon her, and she
remains trapped in a life defined by societal norms.
The theme of repression is central to Woolf’s feminist critique. Clarissa’s internal conflict
highlights the societal pressure to conform to the roles of wife and mother, leaving little room for
the exploration of one’s own desires or potential. Throughout the novel, Woolf contrasts
Clarissa’s life with that of Sally Seton, who represents a more liberated vision of womanhood.
Sally’s unconventional behavior and refusal to adhere to societal expectations stand in stark
contrast to Clarissa’s more passive, restricted existence. Woolf uses this comparison to
underscore the limited choices available to women in a patriarchal society.
Woolf also explores the theme of mental health, particularly through the character of Septimus
Warren Smith, a shell-shocked war veteran. Septimus’s trauma and his eventual suicide provide
a poignant counterpoint to Clarissa’s life. Both characters are caught in the grip of oppressive
social systems—Clarissa by the expectations placed on her as a woman, and Septimus by the

horrors of war. Woolf uses their stories to explore how societal pressures can lead to emotional
and psychological breakdowns, particularly for those who fail to conform.
Through Mrs. Dalloway, Woolf critiques the traditional roles of women, highlighting the
personal sacrifices that many women make in order to fulfill society’s expectations. She also
challenges the notion that the upper classes, who are often seen as exempt from the struggles of
the working class, are immune to the emotional toll of societal pressure. By exploring themes of
identity, repression, and the complexity of gender roles, Woolf’s novel remains an essential work
in feminist literary criticism, offering a timeless commentary on the struggle for autonomy and
self-definition within a restrictive social order.