A Sense of Proportion Essay -- British Empire, Conflict, War

More English soldiers died in the Great struggle than in any other British Empire conflict. Under the beat of circumstances, this would have been a difficult burden to bear. Moreoer, the manner of fighting burst all romantic notions of noble and gallant warfare - there is nothing noble or gallant about trench warfare or poison gas. Virginia Woolfs Mrs. Dalloway is a novel that speaks to belated trauma and the rigorousness of failing to face its realities. Much of this sentiment is expressed by the egotistical struggles of Septimus Smith, a psychologically maimed soldier who has returned from the Western Front. And, while judgment incapable of love contributes to Septimuss demise, the immediate cause is the intensely horror conduct demonstrated by his doctor, Sir William Bradshaw. Septimus suffers from both a frozen tit and a stricken soul. Since his return from the war , forthwith married for five years to Rezia from Milan, his life has been increasingly drab and unfulfi lling, struggling as incessantly to make sense of things, but without real success, except for some fitful moments of clarity and self understanding. His mind and heart remain captives of his war sufferings, which he never really rises above. His affliction is ever-present and all encompassing heedless of where he happens to be or what he happens to be doing. Even his family relationship with his wife appears to be null and non-existent, content as he is, he appears to talk to himself, to talk to a dead man, on the seat over there (65). Septimuss shell-shocked condition deteriorates so much in his postwar setting he descends another step into the pithe dropped his extend on his hands. Now he had surrendered now other people essential help him (90). Dr. Holmes, a kindly, amia... ... gone to Sir William for a consultation. Her earlier experience with Sir William now connects her to Septimus and also validates the Smiths fears in dealing with Sir William. Sir William, for Clar issa, is a courier of terrible news. Oh Thought Clarissa, in the middle of my party, heres death, she survey (183). Sir William is for her a sinister and menacing force, and the sight of him curls her up (182). She recognizes him as an wondrous able (183) doctor, but yet to her obscurely evil, without sex or lust, extremely polite to women, but capable of some indescribable outrage forcing your soul, that was it(184). In Septimus, Clarissa not only sees her own mortality, but also feels a speed and fragile human existence which questions sin, guilt, evil, death, and redemption. Sir William is clearly the novels illustration for evil par excellence.