Mrs Dalloway Part 3
Clarissa finishes up mending her dress and lays it down on her bed as the clock tower strikes the afternoon bell. At the same time, the smiths walk into the doctor’s office to have their appointment with the celebrated psychiatrist, Sir William Bradshaw. Septimus notices the doctor’s expensive car. The doctor is quick in diagnosing Septimus, who isn’t quite able to produce coherent responses to Sir William’s questions. The psychiatrist receives answers from Rezia when he questions Septimus about his career as a soldier. Sir William takes Rezia aside, and she confesses that Septimus has talked about suicide. This worries Sir William, who then immediately decides that Septimus needs to be sent to a secluded home in the country for strict rest. However, this process requires the person to be separated from their loved ones during this time. This upsets Rezia severely, and she fails to receive any further reassuring information from him as he is in a hurry to see them off. He tells them that he would soon send them the information for Septimus’s treatment. Rezia and Septimus leave with heavy hearts. Rezia feels worse because she feels as if her last hope for Septimus’s recovery has been shattered. On the other hand, Septimus believes that he is being tortured by the likes of Dr. Holmes and Sir William who represent human nature.
The narrator turns to examine the theory of proportion that Sir William Brashaw believes in. A theory he has formed around death, as he tells Septimus that no one truly ever lives for themselves. He tries to remind Septimus that he has an illustrious career ahead of him as well as a happy life with his wife. This aligns with Sir William’s view that life could be focused on things like careers and personal life. Sir William’s treatment focuses on weight gain and secluding the patient so that they learn to control their unsocial impulses. The narrator critiques Sir William’s theory as he compares it to the colonization of India by the English. Sir William is more concerned with the colonization of the mind than the welfare of his patients, as he seems to enjoy dominating the weak or vulnerable of the mind. His wife eventually gave in to him, and she now spends her leisure time taking pictures of dilapidated churches and championing social causes.
Hugh Whitbread browses for some socks in the market before he heads to Lady Burton’s home for lunch. He prioritizes courtesy, and Lady Burton is a prestigious member of the society since she comes from a long line of important army generals. Hugh buys carnations for Lady Burton and presents himself at her residence. Hugh is not particularly well-liked, particularly by Lady Burton’s assistant, but Hugh has never really paid attention to her. Lady Burton prefers Richard over Hugh, but she appreciates his ability to write letters. Lady Burton welcomes her guests, Hugh and Richard, as she informs them that she requires their assistance with some work but that it would have to wait until after the meal. A glorious feast is set for the three diners by silent maids, and they began the recent arrival of Peter Walsh. Hugh Whitbread dislikes Peter Walsh, he believes that he’ll soon have to write letters to help settle the man, although he is certainly no position that will keep him occupied for long. All of them recall how obsessively in love Peter had been with Clarissa, and how he made a mess of his life by going to India after she had rejected him. Richard has always been rather fond of Peter, but he hasn’t spent any extended amount of time with him. Lady Burton states her business as the men are having coffee, as she tells them about her desire to write a letter to the editor of the Times about emigration to Canada.
Hugh helps her write the letter, and Lady Burton is extremely happy with his writing. She fondly refers to him as her prime minister. Richard thinks the letter is rubbish, and he spends the last few moments of the lunch admiring the portraits of the famous generals from Lady Burton’s family. He reminds her about Clarissa’s party as he departs with Hugh. They browse an antique shop and a jewelry shop. Hugh wants to purchase a necklace for his wife, but he doesn’t purchase it since the shop owner isn’t available. Richard finds the notion of buying his wife's jewelry rather ridiculous, especially since Clarissa hadn’t ever worn the last jewelry he had purchased for her. He thinks back on his relationship with Clarissa, and wonders why he still finds it so difficult to tell her that he loves her. He decides t purchase flowers on the way home and decides that he is going to tell her that he loves her.
Clarissa is at home, and she is quite annoyed that one of her cousins will be coming to the party even though she hadn’t wanted to invite her. She is also angry because Elizabeth is still praying in her room with Miss Kilnman. She is quite shocked to see Richard arrive home at noon and silently affected by the sight of the flowers that he has brought for her. Richard is unable to bring himself to tell her that he loves her, but they discuss the lunch he had at Miss Burton’s and a committee meeting he has later in the day. He tells her that Peter Walsh had returned, and Clarissa tells him that he had already been to visit her. Richard holds her hand before he leaves, and asks her to take a small nap before returning to her work. Clarissa appreciates Richard’s expression of love, but she feels an odd emotion. Something that she had felt when she had been talking to Peter as well. She realizes that the emotion was provoked by their critical comments about her parties. She is certain that they do not understand that the reason behind her parties lies in her love of life.
Analysis
The connection between Septimus and Clarissa is heightened at the precise moment of noon. Clarissa lays down the green dress that becomes the mask that she wears in front of her society, while Septimus enters the psychiatrist’s office where his mask is taken off in front of society. However, the difference in their position is also revealed since Septimus does not have the charisma that Clarissa has to deal with society. The author explores the deeper connotations of the class by contrasting the lives of rich and upper-class characters like Lady Burton, and Hugh against the lives of the likes of Miss Kilnman, and Septimus. Readers are shown the eccentric side of upper-class characters like the gluttony of Hugh, and Lady Burton’s odd obsession with emigrating whole families to Canada. These characters are spared the treatment of Sir William’s sense of proportion while poor individuals like Spetimus are treated like deranged individuals who need to separate from society.
The lunch at lady Burton’s home reveals a clear distinction between Clarissa and the other members of the upper class. Clarissa can be a snob, but she is more self-aware than characters like Richard and Hugh, who rarely spend any time questioning themselves. Clarissa is also shown to have a better connection with nature as revealed by the difference in how she deals with flowers versus the awkward treatment of Lady Burton and Richard. The lunch also develops the position of women during the time, as we see that even a well-placed woman like Lady Burton requires someone like Hugh to organize her thoughts in a manner that appeals to the male administration of media.
