Mrs. Dalloway, a novel by Virginia Woolf published in 1925, examines one day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class Londoner married to a member of Parliament.  ​
Reading and Writing Workshop:  An in-depth Exploration of Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Begin by reading the work either in groups or as a class. If group reading, divide the work into sections and assign each group a section.  As groups, they will read their section, write a summary of each chapter, and then each group reports on their chapters sequentially. As students read, they should complete the Novel Tracker. After reading and reporting on the entire novel, the workshop might consist of a single session or more. The goal is to engage participants in an exploration of life in an American religious colony through primary sources, and writing exercises that foster a deeper understanding of concepts such as English society, cultural norms, conflict, and resilience.
Objective:  This workshop is divided into structured sessions, each focusing on reading, discussion, and writing activities to support student learning and context. The workshop incorporates public domain primary resources to deepen understanding and inspire creative expression.  Students will also 1) Analyze the themes and character dynamics of the novel, 2) Examine primary sources to contextualize the novel's setting and societal norms. and
3) Develop creative writing pieces inspired by the novel and its historical context.

*This workshop will guide participants through an in-depth exploration of Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, engaging with its key themes through structured sessions that incorporate historical primary sources, memoirs, fiction, and poetry from the public domain. Participants will read, analyze, and create original works inspired by Woolf’s style and ideas.

Session 1: Introduction to Mrs. Dalloway and Stream-of-Consciousness Writing
Objectives:
  • Understand Virginia Woolf’s modernist approach and stream-of-consciousness style
  • Explore how Woolf portrays time, consciousness, and character psychology
  • Practice writing in a stream-of-consciousness style
Activities:
  1. Reading and Discussion:
    • Read excerpts from Mrs. Dalloway focusing on Woolf’s use of internal monologue and shifting perspectives.
    • Discuss how Woolf conveys emotions, thoughts, and memories in a fluid, nonlinear way.
  2. Comparative Reading:
    • Examine a passage from To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, discussing similarities in narrative style.
  3. Creative Writing Exercise:
    • Write a short stream-of-consciousness passage inspired by a personal memory, using Woolf’s techniques.
Public Domain Resources:
Session 2: War Trauma and the Mind – Septimus Warren Smith
Objectives:
  • Analyze how Woolf presents war trauma and mental illness
  • Compare Mrs. Dalloway to historical accounts of World War I veterans and shell shock
  • Reflect on mental health through creative and analytical writing
Activities:
  1. Reading and Analysis:
    • Read passages about Septimus Warren Smith and discuss his hallucinations, isolation, and post-war struggles.
    • Compare Woolf’s portrayal of trauma to firsthand accounts from WWI veterans.
  2. Historical Context:
    • Examine public domain writings on shell shock and mental health treatment in the early 20th century.
  3. Creative Writing Exercise:
    • Write a fictional letter from Septimus to Rezia or a doctor, expressing his inner turmoil.
Public Domain Resources:
Session 3: Women, Marriage, and Social Roles in Mrs. Dalloway
Objectives:
  • Examine Woolf’s critique of gender roles in post-WWI British society
  • Compare Woolf’s ideas to early feminist writings
  • Explore personal perspectives on societal expectations through writing
Activities:
  1. Character Analysis:
    • Discuss Clarissa Dalloway’s reflections on marriage, identity, and societal roles.
    • Compare her struggles with Sally Seton and Miss Kilman’s contrasting perspectives.
  2. Historical Comparison:
    • Read excerpts from Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own and John Stuart Mill’s The Subjection of Women.
  3. Creative Writing Exercise:
    • Write a monologue from Clarissa’s perspective reflecting on love, independence, and duty.
Public Domain Resources:
Session 4: London as a Character – Setting and Modernity
Objectives:
  • Explore Woolf’s depiction of London as an active force in the novel
  • Compare her descriptions with historical accounts of the city
  • Use setting as a tool for storytelling in personal writing
Activities:
  1. Reading and Discussion:
    • Analyze Woolf’s descriptions of London in Mrs. Dalloway—its movement, noise, and life.
  2. Comparative Reading:
    • Read 19th-century depictions of London from Charles Dickens and Gustave Doré’s illustrated works.
  3. Creative Writing Exercise:
    • Describe a city or town using stream-of-consciousness techniques.
Public Domain Resources:
Session 5: Mental Health, Creativity, and Woolf’s Personal Struggles
Objectives:
  • Understand Virginia Woolf’s experiences with mental illness
  • Explore connections between Woolf’s life and her fictional characters
  • Reflect on personal mental and emotional experiences through writing
Activities:
  1. Biographical Reading:
    • Examine diary entries and letters from Woolf that discuss her mental health struggles.
  2. Comparison with Fiction:
    • Discuss how Woolf’s life influenced Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse.
  3. Creative Writing Exercise:
    • Write a diary entry from the perspective of Clarissa, Septimus, or an original character.
Public Domain Resources:
Final Session: Reflection and Creative Writing Project
​Objectives:
  • Synthesize themes explored in Mrs. Dalloway
  • Create original works inspired by Woolf’s writing style and themes
  • Share and reflect on the creative process
Activities:
  1. Project Presentation:
    • Participants present their creative work—a short story, monologue, poem, or reflective essay.
  2. Group Discussion:
    • Reflect on the themes that resonated most throughout the workshop.
  3. Closing Thoughts:
    • Discuss how Woolf’s ideas connect to contemporary issues in literature and society.

This workshop encourages deep engagement with Mrs. Dalloway through historical context, literary analysis, and creative exploration
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