Hey everyone! One aspect of the
book Ms. Dalloway that we didn’t mention
in-depth during class is the similarities between Septimus and Clarissa. I
believe that there is a meaningful connection between how Septimus does not exhibit feelings and how Clarissa loves Richard.
I am trying to explore the possibility
that Clarissa’s feelings towards Richard are just as empty as Septimus’s
passion for our world. The fact that Clarissa does not exhibit strong feelings towards
Richard is exemplified many times in the text. For example, when Clarissa is
going up to her room, she describes the feeling as a nun going up to her
quarters (page 30). She feels like a nun because she does not sleep with
Richard. Although the book portrays this separation as a product of Clarissa’s
illness, I believe it symbolizes the sexual disconnect Clarissa feels from
Richard. Additionally, the usage of the word “nun” implies that Clarissa does
not show any love to Richard; she “suppresses” her urges. Although, in this
case I would argue that she doesn’t suppress her sexual urges for Richard, she
simply does not have them.
The argument that Clarissa feels no
sexual urges for Richard is derived from the way Clarissa describes her
feelings towards Sally Seton. She describes her feelings towards Sally to be
different than her feelings towards a man (page 33). She also states that this
bond could only exist between a woman to another woman. I believe this is an
instance in which Clarissa is feeling more attraction to Sally than Richard.
This is also supported by the text when Clarissa kisses Sally. Although she
does not initiate the kiss, she willingly accepts it and enjoys it. This makes
it seem as if Clarissa can never be truly be in love with a man. Since Richard
is a man, she does not truly love him, thus there exists a distinct
disconnection between the two. Now the issue of “why did Clarissa marry Richard
if she does not feel anything towards him?” The reason why Clarissa marries a
man instead of a female is because of her strict upbringing. Her strict
upbringing sets predetermined expectations for Clarissa; she has to marry a
man. For her, marrying a female is not even an option. This is supported when
Clarissa states, “[her feelings] were completely disinterested” (page 33). She
cannot succumb to her desires because she is not supposed to. Therefore, she
continues on a truly disinterested relationship with Richard.
Septimus has no feelings. He does
not feel love towards Lucreiza, and he does not feel the fear of death.
Septimus CANNOT feel because something is holding him back (probably the
memories of war). Similarly, Clarissa CANNOT feel anything in her relationship
with Richard because she is also held back (from her true love, by society). The
similarity between the two is interesting!
I really like that line "I am trying to explore the possibility that Clarissa’s feelings towards Richard are just as empty as Septimus’s passion for our world." I've never really thought of their connection was that profound. I would even go as far to say that Septimus's passion is empty not only for the world but for everything in it as well—even his own wife! There are a lot of similarities between Clarissa and Septimus. There's always this tone of uncertainty surrounding the names of these two and that uncertainty I think engages the reader better. The reader wants to know more about what happens to these characters at the end thanks to their unique character and background.
ReplyDeleteI kind of disagree with your argument. First, I don't think Clarissa actually feels nothing towards Richard, as seen in the scene where he buys her flowers (although you may have posted this before we read that). Also, the dynamics of the characters' respective relationships are important to note here: Septimus blames the world itself for making him not feel, but Clarissa feels like she has failed Richard, making it her own problem. I think that the direction of blame is representative of the characters' respective personalities and how Septimus' lack of emotion is entirely due to his psychological and inner problems, while Clarissa is a creature of convention and society, and is shaped by these traditions of heterosexual marriages and gender roles.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your overarching point. During discussion in class the other day, we discussed the relation between the lives of Clarissa and Septimus. We mentioned how both are controlled by the pressures in their lives. PTSD for Septimus and social standard/expectations for Clarissa. Though I think the fact that Septimus commits suicide is important in this novel. Clarissa and Septimus are similarly affected by pressures, but Septimus ultimately kills himself and Clarissa perseveres. It's as if the two stories are alternative storylines of the same people.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, I never thought about how Septimus feels to the world being the same as how Clarissa feels towards Richard. I like your point that neither of them can feel because they are being held back by something, and even though those things are quite different (war vs. love for a woman), they have the same outcome of a disconnected feeling towards something.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. To add to the hints of Clarissa desiring to be in a relationship with Sally, Septimus could have a similar problem. I think it was implied that he and Evans had a romantic relationship going on that was suppressed by the societal standards and Evans dying, leaving Septimus in an unpassionate marriage much like Clarissa.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting note that neither one can feel anything for their spouses. Aside from the intense homoromantic relations of Sally Seton and Clarissa, and Septimus and Evans, the two stories seem fairly dissimilar. Thank you for pointing this out.
ReplyDelete