Woolf is recognized as a leading writer of modernist literature as well as a leading figure of 20th century literary feminism. Indeed, critic Elaine Showalter writes that Woolf was one of the first authors to capture the "busy, agitated rhythm of women's daily lives" (Showalter, 1977, pp.198), exquisitely presented in Mrs Dalloway. I propose that through the theme of gender in Mrs Dalloway, in relation to the role of women in post-war society and attitudes towards mental health in its context, Virginia Woolf presents the reader with a feminist text which seeks equality and explores the issue damage caused by a patriarchal society. To support this, I will refer to feminist critics such as Linda Ruhemann, Carol Ann Duffy and Woolf's own diaries. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay I believe that gender is at the heart of Woolf's writing and Mrs Dalloway is a fascinating example of women's writing. His modernist approach and stream of consciousness style make the text more fluid, rhythmic and give a certain sense of freedom compared to the traditional and patriarchal style of the novel, such as the works of Charles Dickens, which seem much more serious, controlled with a clear structure. Woolf threw all rules of structure and punctuation out the window, reflecting the new possibilities and freedoms for women during wartime society. Some sentences go on for half a page, for example when Clarissa describes how “fresh, how calm… the air was in the early morning like the beating of a wave; the kiss of the wave' using only the semicolon to break the sentence. The fluidity of the line gives an extraordinary natural rhythm, relating to the sounds of nature and making the reader feel completely immersed in the surrounding environment. Critic and poet Carol Ann Duffy emphasizes how "Woolf's lyrical intensity allows her, and us readers, to stay within the lived moment." In my opinion this is exactly what Mrs Dalloway embodies as a representation of women's writing that goes against conceptions of the patriarchal and traditionalist novel style. Linda Ruhemann argues that we get a sense of Woolf's "femininity" through her ability to "create form and design from seemingly random details", a quote which confirms that Woolf's unique structure and style lend a certain sense of femininity to her work.Woolf already addresses the theme of the female role in a patriarchal society in the homonymous title of "Mrs Dalloway". The title itself, due to the lack of her name, suggests the fact that she is defined by her marriage and has lost her identity. Clarissa's feeling of loss is perfectly encapsulated when she describes herself as “this is Mrs. Dalloway; not even Clarissa, this being Mrs Richard Dalloway', the slow pace and commas used in this sentence create a feeling of resignation and loss. Clarissa has reached menopause and in this time of patriarchy, where a woman's main job was to get married and have children, there is a sense that she has lost her purpose in life as well as her identity. The loss of sexual identity is evident as Clarissa says she "feels like a nun", this sense of isolation from life and of no longer being a sensual woman affects her heavily. We are told that “narrower and narrower would her bed be,” the repetition creating a spiraling effect and increasing lack of intimacy with her husband as she ages. The fascinating aspect of this character is that we see her from different perspectives, on the one hand hersmind expresses these wonderful moments of being, but we also have a vision of her external personality in which she plays the hostess and worries trivially about the flowers for her party, exclaiming "What a lark!", a line that according to Elaine Showalter perhaps makes it "easy to see her superficial and light" (1977). Even Woolf herself expressed concern and insecurity in her 1923 diary, fearing that Clarissa might be "too stiff, too glitter and tinsel" and therefore not relatable enough. However, I would argue that Clarissa's external "rigidity" only reinforces society's negative effect on women; how patriarchy acts like a metaphorical corset and prevents the female voice from being heard. The character of Sally Seton must be discussed in relation to gender as she fights against the restrictions of patriarchy and represents a new possibility for women: mental, physical and crucial freedom. , sexually. She is introduced as "the wild, the bold, the romantic Sally!", a daring young woman of the "roaring twenties" who perhaps represents the restlessness of women who changed their minds about the female role after the war. More importantly, Sally appears to be Clarissa's one true love. We are drawn to the extraordinary moment of being in which Clarissa describes her passion as "an epiphany"; a match burning in a crocus', an incredibly insightful, unique and powerful vision of female sexuality. Critic Suzan Harrison states that this attraction among women "and the connection of that attraction to the artistic imagination not only suggests a critique of compulsory heterosexuality and the sacrifices it demands of women, but also challenges the traditional modernist construction of inspiration creative in that it requires a male artist and female muse'. Patriarchal norms about sexuality prevent the development of their pure and passionate relationship, ultimately causing Clarissa's feeling of loss and lack of identity 'epitome of sexuality, pure love and freedom. In Woolf's essay, "Professions for Women" (1931) there is talk of killing "the angel in the house", a concept "borrowed from the Coventry poem Patmore that celebrates domestic happiness" and I believe that Sally Seton is a step towards eliminating this image of the perfect sacrificial wife in her worldliness and her bold attitude towards sexuality. However, the contrast of the female characters: Clarissa representing the negative effect of patriarchy on women and Sally representing the possibilities for future women, in my opinion, is what makes Woolf such a smart and relevant author. Her ability to create these simultaneously powerful and contrasting female characters makes Mrs Dalloway a product of its time and a work that criticizes society and triggers change in the social role of women. Ms Dalloway also addresses the issue of gender in relation to treatment. and attitudes towards mental health in a patriarchal society. Woolf suffered from mental health issues and her own voice appears to rise very close to the surface of the book through the character of Septimus, a soldier suffering from PTSD. Explores how patriarchy affected men too, as mental illness was often associated with women, who were seen as delicate and susceptible to hysteria, in turn, men who suffered from disorders such as post-stress disorder -traumatic were ignored and it was assumed that they would recover. from their "funk" alone, as presented through the doctors in the novel. Dr. Bradshaw states that "we all have our moments of depression" and continues. 66-76.