subject: Research Paper: The Symbolic Aspect of Virginia Woolf's 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Dr. Rakesh Ravi [print this page] Research Paper: The Symbolic Aspect of Virginia Woolf's 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Dr. Rakesh Ravi
Research Paper: The Symbolic Aspect of Virginia Woolf's 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Dr. Rakesh Ravi
IntroductionVirginia Woolf is an innovative novelist of the modern age. She is known for using stream of consciousness or interior monologue in her novels. To make the stream of consciousness technique more effective, she uses symbols and images.
Use and Importance of SymbolsIt is an artistic device to use symbols to express the idea that remains unexpressed otherwise. Undoubtedly, the idea is subjective without any form or shape or colour. The writer takes help of physical objects to suggest the idea and make his sense clear. In modern psychology, symbols have a great importance. In 'Mrs. Dalloway', Peter's knife is an important symbol for it discloses Peter's hidden desires of sexual union with Clarissa who has been his beloved since the young age. Clarissa too remembers Peter's pocket-knife. It is Virginia Woolf's skill that Peter's sexual desire is exposed through the ordinary article. But the symbol is significant for the pocket-knife remains hidden until it is displayed. Peter remains fingering his pocket-knife. It symbolizes that he needs to reassure himself that he is still young and free. It is his misfortune that he can't use it.
Use and Importance of Character SymbolsAccording to critics, in 'Mrs. Dalloway', characters are symbols of the different aspects of society. There is presented a picture of life with the great war in the background in the novel. The war is just over, but the news of the dead and the wounded is still being received. These are dire consequences of War. These are side effects of violence. The English society is passing through nervous breakdowns. In this novel, Septimus is its living symbol. Likewise, Dr. Holmes is a symbol of evil and cruelty for Septimus. Virginia Woolf has presented madness and violent death, love, and heart-break through the character of Septimus. Septimus thinks Dr. Holmes and Sir William Bradshaw are symbols of ruthlessness, evil doing and cruelty.
Use and Importance of Other Symbolic FiguresLike Septimus, Dr. Holmes and Sir William Bradshaw, Peter Walsh, Sally Seton, and Smith too, are symbolic figures. Peter who visits foreign lands become a representative of adventurers. The Adventurous people love truth and knowledge. They prefer experience to wealth. They hate pomp and show; pride and vanity. They support new waves or new ideals and are an antithesis of the orthodox and the conservative. The Dalloways and Whitbreads do nothing and are always criticized for their pride, vanity, and hypocrisy. They like reading. They have power of understanding human nature and character. London makes Peter think of how civilized this city is. He evaluates Clarissa's theory of -immortality and discomforts of hotel life. He is impartial in his judgement. In the party, he criticizes Clarissa. He takes note of Huge Whitbread whom he hates. He criticizes aristocratic guests at the party.
Use and Importance of Nature SymbolsVirginia Woolf's use of nature symbols and images is worth praising. She presents the calm, fresh morning air, like the flap of a wave, the kiss of a wave, chill as symbols of the morning. The young age of Clarissa's life passed at Bourton full of beautiful flowers, and green fields in the novel symbolise peace and contentment. Lucrezia dreams of her happy life at Milan, and falls thinking of fields and flowers. The flower of rose is a symbol of love and fulfilment. Richard Dalloway expresses his love for Clarissa by gifting her roses. Elizabeth observes the beautiful c1oudscape full of lights and shades that symbolise the joys and sorrows of life.
Use and Importance of Objective SymbolsVirginia makes use of objective symbols. In her novels, these symbols expose various facets of human lives. For example, streets are the symbols of namelessness and mystery of all the lives. Houses, rooms, doors, windows, and cities are also symbols of the various aspects and activities of human life. Rooms symbolize protection and familiarity. The house symbolizes the unification of a person with his family. Peter has a strange habit of holding a pocket knife in his hand. Clarissa remembers Peter's eyes and does not remember his smile, but she remembers the pocket-knife. It expresses that Peter's knife is permanent while the smile is temporary.
ConclusionThus, Virginia Woolf makes a psychological study of her characters in 'Mrs. Dalloway'. In this matter, the use of symbols proves helpful.
