The appreciation of the aesthetic and the search for the feminine ideal in Virginia Woolf s novels: Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse

Abstract

In this paper, I will argue that Woolfs concerns in Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse go far beyond the narrowly feminist-that is, the search for one ideal female type-and that the author's primary goal in the novel is to create a host of three dimensional female characters whose inner lives the readers can experience. Michael Payne reiterates this point when he states simply that "in both [Woolf s] criticism and her fiction art takes precedence over ideology" (2) 1 . By demonstrating the way in which Woolf has created a host of full-bodied, compelling, and diverse female characters, I will argue that, like Payne contends, Woolf did not ever intend to sacrifice her characters for either a feminist or a traditionalist message. Notwithstanding Woolfs dedication to characterization, I will suggest that the reader may indeed come to a synthesized view of Woolfs feminine ideal-part Clarissa Dalloway, part Lady Bruton, part Sally Seton, part Mrs. Ramsay, part Cam Ramsay, etc.-through a complete appreciation of each of her female characters. (from Introduction)