Aristotelian Vision of Aristotelian Vision of Moral Character in Moral Character in

Virginia Woolf’s Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. DallowayMrs. Dalloway

By Patricia Kenig Curd By Patricia Kenig Curd English Language NotesEnglish Language Notes 33.1 (Sept 1995): 40-57. (Sept 1995): 40-57. Presented by Sherry LuPresented by Sherry Lu

Main ThemeMain Theme

This paper explores how an examination This paper explores how an examination of of Mrs. DallowayMrs. Dalloway in the light of in the light of AristoteliAristotelian moral theoryan moral theory can illuminate aspects can illuminate aspects of Woolf’s conception of moral charactof Woolf’s conception of moral character.er.

Moral Character--Clarissa Moral Character--Clarissa DallowayDalloway

She is bothShe is both the central figure the central figure andand the moral ce the moral center nter of the novel.of the novel.

She has some She has some flawsflaws —She is a snob ( —She is a snob (Dalloway Dalloway 290); she is remarkably possessive of her daug290); she is remarkably possessive of her daughter Elizabeth” (hter Elizabeth” (Dalloway Dalloway 15); she envies her 15); she envies her husband’s lunch with Lady Bruton.husband’s lunch with Lady Bruton.

She is a person of She is a person of experience experience and and discernmentdiscernment— “Her emotions were all on the surface. Ben— “Her emotions were all on the surface. Beneath, she was very shrewd—a far better judge eath, she was very shrewd—a far better judge of character than Sally” of character than Sally” (Dalloway (Dalloway 114).114).

Non-moral Character--William Non-moral Character--William BradshawBradshaw

On the surface—a man of perfect virtue; On the surface—a man of perfect virtue; he preaches “he preaches “proportionproportion”, and he is “”, and he is “the ghostly helper, the priest of sciencethe ghostly helper, the priest of science” (” (Dalloway Dalloway 142).142).

The things he fails to understand:The things he fails to understand: 1. The place of 1. The place of emotionemotion in a complete life in a complete life 2. The importance of 2. The importance of feelingfeeling 3. The role of 3. The role of choicechoice Example: Septimus’ deathExample: Septimus’ death

Non-moral Character--Miss KilmNon-moral Character--Miss Kilmanan

She has many admirable qualities: she lives alone anShe has many admirable qualities: she lives alone and tries to make her way in the world.d tries to make her way in the world.

However, she lacks in However, she lacks in knowledgeknowledge and and self-knowledgself-knowledgee..

Moreover, she lacks Moreover, she lacks the capacity to imagine othersthe capacity to imagine others.. Mrs. Dalloway’s recognition of her own coldness.Mrs. Dalloway’s recognition of her own coldness.

Miss Kilman’s failure to recognize her own faults.Miss Kilman’s failure to recognize her own faults.

The poeticsThe poetics & &The Nicomachean EthThe Nicomachean Ethicic

Tragic poetry should produce pity and terTragic poetry should produce pity and terror in the audience, not only to entertain ror in the audience, not only to entertain but also to instruct.but also to instruct.

Aristotle’s definition of a moral virtuous Aristotle’s definition of a moral virtuous person: (1) person: (1) practical intelligencepractical intelligence; ; choose choose wellwell;; achieve happiness achieve happiness. (2) . (2) the emotionsthe emotions and and passionpassion..

Different views of characters in tragedy: Different views of characters in tragedy:

Aristotle Virginia WoolfAristotle Virginia Woolf

What’s the problems with What’s the problems with William William BradshawBradshaw and and Miss KilmanMiss Kilman??

1. Not simply to 1. Not simply to act correctlyact correctly but also have but also have the correct emotional statethe correct emotional state as well. as well.

2. The 2. The mean statemean state of action, emotions and of action, emotions and passions.passions.

3. The mean “is defined by a rule: that rule 3. The mean “is defined by a rule: that rule by which by which the practically intelligent personthe practically intelligent person would define it.”would define it.”

Example: Mrs. Dalloway a wider moral Example: Mrs. Dalloway a wider moral

vision.vision.

Non-moral Character--Hugh WhitbreaNon-moral Character--Hugh Whitbreadd

Aristotle: “the political life will include Aristotle: “the political life will include both intellectual and practical both intellectual and practical intelligence and activity”.intelligence and activity”.

HughHugh: vacuous, unimaginative and : vacuous, unimaginative and unthinking.unthinking.

Mrs. DallowayMrs. Dalloway: her actions and : her actions and emotions have become a true part of emotions have become a true part of herself.herself.

How about Septimus?How about Septimus?

No balance between No balance between actionsactions and and emotionsemotions: he cannot feel. : he cannot feel.

His suicide— “Death was defiance.”His suicide— “Death was defiance.”

a rational choice and an act of a rational choice and an act of courage.courage.

The difference between Richard The difference between Richard Dalloway and Hugh WhitbreadDalloway and Hugh Whitbread

Richard Dalloway:Richard Dalloway:He is a good judge of character.He is a good judge of character.He has political virtue.He has political virtue.The relationship between he and The relationship between he and

Clarissa exemplifies Clarissa exemplifies Aristotelian Aristotelian friendshipfriendship between spouses. between spouses.

ConclusionConclusion

Although there are so many points of Although there are so many points of view in view in Mrs. DallowayMrs. Dalloway, it is Clarissa’s , it is Clarissa’s view shapes our own.view shapes our own.

Clarissa DallowayClarissa Dalloway fits the Aristotelian fits the Aristotelian rule of a moral character.rule of a moral character.