Hanna Jay - English
Contents
Introduction 146
Fear of Sexuality - “The Heat of the Sun” 147
Suicide and Death - “The harsh winter’s rages” 149
Regeneration - “Fear no more” 152
Conclusion 155
Bibliography 157
Abstract
In this Extended Essay I attempt to answer the question: “How Virginia
Woolf’s understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare combine with
her individual talent in Mrs Dalloway.” T.S Eliot’s essay “Tradition and
the Individual Talent” argues that an awareness of past literature is
crucial for any writer and Mrs Dalloway provides evidence of Virginia
Woolf’s appreciation of William Shakespeare. Prompted by Eliot’s essay, I
consider the evidence of the playwright’s influence both thematically and
formally in Woolf’s novel. I found similarities in the use of doubles, the
use of multi- viewpoint perspective and the use of flower imagery.
The idea that a deathlike experience leads to new life is an idea clearly
shared by Woolf and Shakespeare and Mrs Dalloway puts forward the
view that beauty inevitably comes from death. Virginia Woolf sets her
tragedy of life against a backdrop of a comforting regeneration in nature,
as Shakespeare does this also. Nature is central to the works of both
writers, acting as a comfort. I conclude in my essay that Woolf was
herself consoled by the words of Shakespeare, and her novel offers a
reassurance of rebirth and renewal. Virginia Woolf builds on tradition,
using the words of William Shakespeare for her own purpose: to create
solace where tragedy seems imminent.
145