Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway: A Stylistic Analysis

*Mrs. Dalloway* by Virginia Woolf: A Stylistic Analysis

Text Type and Character Description

The text is primarily descriptive and narrative. It provides a detailed description of Mrs. Dalloway, encompassing both her *ethopoeia* (psychological description) and *prosopography* (exterior appearance).

Lexical Fields

Several key lexical fields are present:

• Summer: Words like "fresh" and "beach" evoke a summery atmosphere.
• Age: References to being "fifty" indicate the character's stage of life.
• Luxury: Terms such as "diamonds" suggest a life of affluence.
• London: Words like "uproar," "omnibuses," and "vans" paint a vivid picture of the city.
• Imperialism: Mentions of "king" and "war" hint at the broader socio-political context.

Stylistic Features

Synesthesia and Sensory Details

Woolf employs synesthesia to blend sensory experiences. Examples include "leaden and music" (combining touch and auditory senses) and "grey-blue morning air." The text is rich in auditory imagery, reflecting the vibrant sounds of London. This use of the auditory channel contrasts the bustling external world with Mrs. Dalloway's seemingly empty inner life.

Stream of Consciousness

The text mirrors a character's thoughts through a technique known as "stream of consciousness." This is characterized by:

• Absence of Main Verbs: Frequent use of -ing forms instead of main verbs.
• Lack of Connectors: Sentences are often linked by semicolons or commas, or sometimes not at all, creating a sense of disjointedness.
• Exclamations and Rhetorical Questions: These mimic the natural flow of thoughts.
• Sentence Length Variation: Long, complex sentences are interspersed with short, abrupt ones, such as "It was June."
• Repetitions: Certain elements and structures are repeated for emphasis.
• Extensive Punctuation: Commas and semicolons slow down the reading pace, making the text more challenging to follow.
• Lists: Lists of words, like those related to transportation and urban noises, contribute to the chaotic feel.

Language and Thought

The language imitates the often chaotic nature of human thought. Modal verbs (e.g., "should," "would," "could") are used to express inner thoughts and uncertainties. Parentheses, such as "(for a girl of eighteen as she then was)," provide further insight into Mrs. Dalloway's reflections. Metaphors, like the comparison to a "bird," add depth to the characterization. Unanswered questions further simulate the flow of thoughts.

Final Commentary

Woolf portrays Mrs. Dalloway as an egocentric and superficial woman, somewhat childish and detached from reality. This reality is hinted at through parentheses in the latter part of the text, where the mothers of Pimlico represent a different world. The author critiques a segment of London society characterized by superficiality and a lack of intellectual engagement. Woolf achieves this critique by revealing Mrs. Dalloway's inner thoughts through the stream of consciousness technique.