Breaking of Tradition

The British Empire was a powerhouse in the 19^th century. From expansive colonizing to a superior military, Britain seemed invincible. The citizens all believed in their Empire too. Clarissa, the protagonist from Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, would have been born in the 1880’s and experienced the sense of tradition and social order that the British Empire imposed. Clarissa, being in her 50’s during the time of the novel, represents this sense of English order and tradition. She conforms to the society and seems to accept her class well now that she has married into it. This sense of tradition and imperial authority experiences a change at the turn of the century. In the early twentieth century Britain entered World War I. No longer was Britain the top dog either. Other countries now rivaled Britain’s military with technological innovations of their own. Mrs. Dalloway illustrates this shift from tradition happening by the influences of the war and technology during the early twentieth century.

Septimus served for Britain in World War I and has returned home a changed person. Today his condition might be diagnosed as PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Perhaps Septimus embodies England’s own shock at their massive losses in World War I. The civilians that used to support the British Imperialism and rigid social structure where only a small portion benefit are now having second thoughts as to their countries dominance. Septimus’ panic attack at the sight of an airplane flying overhead shows his fear of these new technologies. Septimus witnessed what this new weaponry is capable of. Everyone else around Septimus is trying to spell out the word the airplane is writing in the sky but Septimus does not respond the same. It is as if the rest of the civilians are oblivious to the negatives of such rapid technological advancements in the early 20^th century.

With Mrs. Dalloway being set in 1923, Virginia Woolf has picked a time where she can go in the minds of the citizens of London and show how they feel about these new realizations about London’s dominance and social order. Miss Kilman is a character representing the tradition and oppression imposed by Britain. She seems to always impose her religious ideas on Clarissa, sometimes rather rudely. Clarissa’s response is to be polite and throw parties instead. She is making the best of her position in life. Clarissa seems to be more on the conservative side too, standing behind London by accepting the patriarchal society. At one point Clarissa is thinking to herself about social order and how she lives her life in a room and there is a lady on the other side of the street in a room living her life. She is fascinated at how people are living. Septimus represents the radicalism against the current British system. He does not give in to Sir William Bradshaw’s oppressive so-called treatment for Septimus’ panic attack. Sir William wants to convert other people’s beliefs for dominance and control over them, much like the Imperialism of Britain in the 19^th century. Septimus’ decision in death over life shows the failure of the British system. People seemed to only wake up to this fact as a result of the destruction brought about by World War I.