A Day of Existentialism

By Mackenzi V.

    In her fourth novel, Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf explores a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class Englishwoman, as she plans a party for her politician husband. Over the course of this day the reader experiences multiple narrators and perspectives, each character dealing with their own existential crises. The novel, though short, is a thorough character study which just about anyone could find themselves relating to. The writing style packs more depth than could be expected of a novel that clocks in at under 200 pages.



    Woolf's choice of stream-of-consciousness and her use of flashback allows for a (mostly) smooth, entertaining reading experience. We are allowed to see into the characters' heads as much as possible, and can frequently relate to their concerns and questions. The book reads as a continuous thought process (one that anybody might have), and thus creates a sense of understanding between the reader and the characters. Their concerns become our own, their emotions reflect the ones we may feel but do not express. Each of the characters are well-rounded yet flawed, complex yet realistic, and painfully human. Woolf writes each narrative beautifully, evoking thoughts on the passage of time, regret, and the human condition.
    This novel is a good fit for anyone who wants to embrace the fears they may feel but cannot communicate. It is a reminder that to be human is to feel; often profoundly, often quietly. It is a story of ourselves, of our connections to and treatment of others, and what these things say about who we are. What Mrs. Dalloway lacks in page numbers it makes up for in depth; it is well worth the read.