In her novel, Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf explores the theme of appearance versus reality and its effects through the perspective of her character Clarissa Dalloway. Clarissa continually appears to have a life of perfection and happiness to those who surround her. However, Woolf enters the inner thoughts of this character and reveals that Clarissa is unhappy and dissatisfied with the emptiness in her life. Clarissa's life exemplifies that by attempting to maintain an image on the exterior a person sinks into a state of loneliness and depression on the interior.
             It is evident from the lifestyle which Clarissa leads, that she is wealthy and can afford to indulge in anything she wishes to. Clarissa truly enjoys this wealth, and appreciates having the status of an upper middle class woman. However, Clarissa did not earn this wealth. In order to become a high member of society she marries Richard Dalloway. However, she feels she owes Richard because he "...was the foundation..." (29) of the life she has. Clarissa feels emptiness in her marriage, and believes that "...she had failed him" (31). Her feelings for her husband are not of passion and love. Clarissa begins to slip into deep thoughts about her relationship with her old friend, Sally Seton. Clarissa reminisces about her feelings for Sally and believes that she was in love with her. She asks herself, "Had not that, after all, been love?"(32). Furthermore, through her relationship with Sally, Clarissa is able to sense the hollowness of her life. "Sally it was who made her feel, for the first time, how sheltered the life at Bourton was" (33). There is no true meaning or feeling in her Clarissa's marriage. Richard is preoccupied with his work and committee meetings. He is even incapable of telling Clarissa that he loves her. Clarissa's marriage to Richard is based solely upon social image and wealth. Her rel...