This research paper will explore the thesis that Virginia Woolf’s novel "Mrs. Dalloway" portrays gender as a social construct which is determined by the values a society sets in a specific period of time. Thus, Clarissa struggles to find her own identity because of changing societal expectations whereas Elizabeth, who is born in the next generation, adopts the values of Modernism.
Firstly, this paper will focus on women’s social position in Victorian Age and in Modernism and the change in the social standing of women. Secondly, an analysis of the figures Clarissa and Elizabeth will be provided by examining the influence the period of time has on the characters.
Virginia Woolf’s novel "Mrs. Dalloway", which was published in 1925, describes the protagonist Clarissa Dalloway’s difficult process of finding herself due to the change in expectations of society from Victorian to Modern ideals. Clarissa observes her bisexual desires which contradict the idea of a socially accepted life at that time. In order to prevent society’s contempt she enters into a marriage that ensures her social respectability and material wellbeing. She develops a multifaceted identity which is defined by ideologies of gender and her struggle to find happiness in this traditionally predetermined role of a woman.
In contrast, her daughter Elizabeth, who grows up in a different environment, commits herself to the idea of a Modern way of living. She represents the new generation that also offers a new conception of female identity which is less strict and compulsory. Nevertheless Elizabeth would still be considered an outsider if she strived for professional ambitions which underlines that the change from Victorian Era to Modernism is a long and complex process.
Women’s role in society has always been an issue depicted and discussed in literature. Especially in early 20th century literature, as Victorian Age gave way to Modernism, a shift in perspective and a change in the role of women in society took place. Whereas during the reign of Queen Victoria women firmly belonged to the domestic sphere and had to perform their duties as housewives and mothers, women at the beginning of Modern Age fought for their emancipation and independence. The portrayal of women in fiction and the view of female authors was shaped by the norms and values a society provided and thus dependent on the time when a literary work was written.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Main Part
- 2.1 Women's Social Position in Victorian Age and in Modernism
- 2.2 Analysis of Gender in Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway
- 2.2.1 Clarissa Dalloway's Failure to find her Identity in Victorian Values
- 2.2.2 Elizabeth Dalloway as a Representative Character of Modernism
- 3. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper explores how Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway portrays gender as a social construct shaped by societal values. The paper analyzes the contrasting experiences of Clarissa and Elizabeth Dalloway, highlighting the impact of shifting societal expectations from the Victorian era to Modernism on their identities.
- The changing social position of women from the Victorian era to Modernism.
- The impact of societal expectations on women's identities.
- Clarissa Dalloway's struggle to reconcile Victorian values with her own desires.
- Elizabeth Dalloway as a representative of the changing female identity in Modernism.
- The portrayal of gender as a social construct in Mrs. Dalloway.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of gender representations in Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway. It establishes the context of women's roles in society during the Victorian era and the transition to Modernism, highlighting the shift from domestic confinement to a growing fight for emancipation and independence. The chapter introduces Clarissa Dalloway as the protagonist whose struggle to find her identity within these changing expectations forms the central focus of the novel. It also briefly introduces Elizabeth Dalloway as a contrasting figure representing the emerging modern female identity. The chapter concludes by stating the paper's thesis: that Mrs. Dalloway portrays gender as a social construct, reflecting the values of specific time periods, and illustrating how this impacts the identities of Clarissa and Elizabeth.
2. Main Part - 2.1 Women's Social Position in Victorian Age and in Modernism: This section examines the starkly different societal roles assigned to men and women during the Victorian era and the subsequent changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution and the Suffrage Movement. It describes the Victorian ideal of the "Angel in the House," emphasizing women's confinement to the domestic sphere and their lack of political and economic rights. The chapter contrasts this with the evolving landscape of the early 20th century, noting women's increasing participation in the workforce due to World War I, their growing involvement in the Suffrage Movement, and the emergence of feminist literature that openly challenged traditional gender roles and the negative depiction of marriage in literature. The chapter demonstrates how external factors, historical context, gender ideologies, and stereotypes shaped women's social identity, resulting in a tension between the repressed identity of the Victorian era and the struggle for autonomy in Modernism. The chapter concludes by summarizing the complex and lengthy process of women’s emancipation.
2. Main Part - 2.2 Analysis of Gender in Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway: This section delves into the portrayal of gender in Mrs. Dalloway, focusing specifically on Clarissa and Elizabeth. It provides a detailed analysis of Clarissa Dalloway's character, highlighting her internal conflict stemming from societal expectations and her own desires, such as her past same-sex relationship and her decision to marry Richard to secure social standing. This contrasts sharply with the emerging independent spirit of Elizabeth who represents the modern generation's break from Victorian constraints. The complexities of female identity during this period of transition are explored thoroughly.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Gender, Victorian Era, Modernism, Virginia Woolf, Mrs. Dalloway, Clarissa Dalloway, Elizabeth Dalloway, social construct, female identity, societal expectations, women's emancipation, sexuality.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Gender in Virginia Woolf's *Mrs. Dalloway*
What is the overall focus of this research paper?
This research paper analyzes how Virginia Woolf's *Mrs. Dalloway* portrays gender as a social construct influenced by societal values. It contrasts the experiences of Clarissa and Elizabeth Dalloway, highlighting the impact of shifting societal expectations from the Victorian era to Modernism on their identities.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the changing social position of women, the impact of societal expectations on women's identities, Clarissa Dalloway's struggle with Victorian values, Elizabeth Dalloway as a representative of modern female identity, and the portrayal of gender as a social construct in *Mrs. Dalloway*.
What is covered in the introduction chapter?
The introduction sets the context of women's roles in society during the Victorian era and the transition to Modernism. It introduces Clarissa and Elizabeth Dalloway, establishing the paper's thesis that *Mrs. Dalloway* portrays gender as a social construct reflecting the values of specific time periods and impacting the identities of Clarissa and Elizabeth.
What does the chapter on women's social position in the Victorian age and Modernism discuss?
This section contrasts the societal roles of men and women in the Victorian era with the changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution and the Suffrage Movement. It discusses the Victorian ideal of the "Angel in the House," the increasing participation of women in the workforce, their involvement in the Suffrage Movement, and the emergence of feminist literature challenging traditional gender roles. It highlights the tension between the repressed identity of the Victorian era and the struggle for autonomy in Modernism.
How does the paper analyze gender in *Mrs. Dalloway*?
The analysis focuses on Clarissa and Elizabeth Dalloway. It details Clarissa's internal conflict between societal expectations and her desires, contrasting this with Elizabeth's independent spirit representing a break from Victorian constraints. The complexities of female identity during this transitional period are explored.
What are the keywords associated with this research paper?
The keywords include: Gender, Victorian Era, Modernism, Virginia Woolf, *Mrs. Dalloway*, Clarissa Dalloway, Elizabeth Dalloway, social construct, female identity, societal expectations, women's emancipation, sexuality.
What is the structure of the paper's table of contents?
The paper is structured with an introduction, a main part divided into sections on women's social position and an analysis of gender in *Mrs. Dalloway*, and a conclusion.
What are the chapter summaries provided?
Summaries are provided for the introduction, the section on women's social position in the Victorian era and Modernism, and the section analyzing gender in *Mrs. Dalloway*. These summaries provide an overview of the key arguments and findings of each chapter.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2019, Representations of Gender in Virginia Woolf’s "Mrs. Dalloway". An Analysis of Clarissa and Elizabeth, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1453718