Letter to Mrs. Clarissa Dalloway

By Tanya Shah, BA (hons.) Geography, third year

Edited by Vasvi Singhal

Dear Clarissa (Mrs. Dalloway),

Do you truly find joy in your lavish parties, or are they simply a facade, a shield against the loneliness beneath your polished exterior? Perhaps only you know the answer. Though your days are filled with social events, sadness seems woven into the fabric of your life.

What resonates most deeply with me are the choices you've made and the memories you carry—your wild friendship with Sally, your lingering love for Peter, and your decision to marry Richard, choosing stability over passion.

Then there's Septimus, whose tragic fate during your party brings you face-to-face with life's fragility. His death is a haunting reminder of how joy and sorrow intertwine. I admire how you respect his choice, seeing in him the strength to hold onto his soul over mere survival. I sense the quiet shame you feel over the compromises you've made in order to continue on—a decision we all face at some point.

In your moments of reflection—considering your past, your choices, your love for life—I see a mirror of my own journey. Even something as simple as stitching your dress for the party evokes a sense of quiet introspection, a reminder that amidst life's busyness, it's often the small, everyday tasks that reveal our true selves. May you continue to celebrate life's beauty, even when shadows fall.

With heartfelt admiration,
Tanya.