Throughout Mrs. Dalloway there is one prevalent theme that sticks with me most. The symbolism of Flowers. Clarissa Dalloway has never been more aware of her identity than when she finds herself ‘aged’ amongst the beauty of the flowers in Miss Pym’s shop. She traded away Clarissa, the free loving spirit who thrived on adventure when she married Richard. Now the only identity she knows is that of Mrs. Dalloway, the “perfect” hostess. Clarissa tries to beat back this beast of hatred that makes her bitter by immersing herself in flowers and maintaining positive interactions with them.
Roses are a symbol of beauty. Lilacs represent youthful innocence. Clarissa is realizing that this beast, this outward identity that she has taken on, this identity crisis she is having, has weathered and aged her. She no longer possesses youthful innocence like her daughter Elizabeth.
Clarissa had no way of knowing that this moment of interaction with the flowers would bring her to this moment of self-realization. That maybe Mrs. Dalloway, the “perfect” hostess doesn’t have everything she needs to be content in this life but that maybe she has become complacent. Complacent in a class system that suppresses the souls who try to blossom and live freely.
I had also noticed the use of flowers throughout the novel. I agree on your point on how flowers are used as a symbol for femininity. They definitely represent her social class position within the time frame of the novel. The fact that Mrs Dalloway is able to afford flowers shows her social class position. The flowers are used in a form of her exploring her sexuality that you had touch upon. This is shown through when Sally gave Mrs Dalloway a flower and a kiss.