Mrs. Dalloway – Memories

Memories and the action of recollection is a powerful theme utilized throughout the text. Each character is followed by thoughts from their past that affect their present day lives. Clarissa’s internal battle with her sexuality is tested regularly by her memories of Sally. She values these memories deeply which could be contributing to complications with her husband. Other than Clarissa, Septimus arguably has the most important and haunting memories turned hallucinations. Ultimately his suicide was a result of his haunting past, and it deeply affected Clarissa. When Sir and Lady Bradshaw arrive and mention a recent suicide during her extravagent party initially Clarissa was incredibly upset by it. Was this because of the fact that Lady Bradshaw mentioned death and tainted the positive energy of her function, or was it the memory of the recent suicide of Septimus. Overall, the memory of Septimus killing himself shifted Clarissa’s outlook on life to be surprisingly more positive.

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