More Than A Woman Anonymous

Each individual has an outward part of her personality that is revealed to others and an inward part which is kept solely to herself. Consequently, there is a contrast between the appearance of a person and the reality of whom that person really is. In her novel Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf presents the theme of appearance versus reality through the thoughts and actions of the novel's protagonist, Clarissa Dalloway. The novel reveals a single day of Mrs. Dalloway's life, reflecting her memories of the past and her encounters of the present. As the story unravels, it is clear that Clarissa's appearance and behavior on the surface is not at all consistent with how she feels on the inside. On the surface, Clarissa appears to be of regal countenance and composed. However, in reality, she is unhappy and unsatisfied with many aspects of her life, including physical appearance, social status, and her marriage. As a result of Clarissa's inability to share herself with others, the people that purport to be her friends do not really know and understand the true Mrs. Dalloway.

On the exterior, Clarissa appears to a beautiful, happy and confident 50-year-old woman. Yet on the inside she is really filled with many fears and...