Character guide

Clarissa Dalloway

major

Also known as Clarissa, Dalloway, Clara, Mrs. Dalloway

The protagonist, a high-society woman preparing for her evening party in post-WWI London.

Septimus Warren Smith

major

Also known as Septimus, Smith, Mr. Warren Smith

A shell-shocked war veteran whose mental decline parallels Clarissa's inner life.

Peter Walsh

supporting

Also known as Walsh, old Peter, Mr. Walsh

Clarissa's former suitor, recently returned from India, who still loves her.

Richard Dalloway

supporting

Also known as Richard, Mr. Dalloway, dear old Richard

Clarissa's devoted husband, a Conservative MP who lunches with Lady Bruton.

Sally Seton

supporting

Also known as Sally, Seton, Lady Rosseter

Clarissa's passionate childhood friend, now married and visiting for the party.

Elizabeth Dalloway

supporting

Also known as Elizabeth, Miss Elizabeth, Ellie Henderson

Clarissa and Richard's quiet, independent teenage daughter.

Miss Kilman

supporting

Also known as Kilman, Doris Kilman, the odious Kilman

Elizabeth's embittered history tutor, who resents Clarissa's privilege.

Hugh Whitbread

supporting

Also known as Hugh, Whitbread, Mr. Whitbread

A pompous, well-connected courtier and friend of the Dalloways.

Lucrezia Warren Smith

supporting

Also known as Rezia, Lucrezia, Mrs. Warren Smith

Septimus's devoted Italian wife, struggling to care for him alone in London.

Lady Bruton

supporting

Also known as Millicent Bruton, Milly, Old Lady Bruton

A formidable society hostess who lunches with Richard and Hugh.

Sir William Bradshaw

supporting

Also known as William, Bradshaw, Sir William Bradshaw

A renowned psychiatrist who treats Septimus with cold authority.

Dr. Holmes

supporting

Also known as Holmes

Septimus's cheerful but insensitive general practitioner.

Evans

supporting

Septimus's commanding officer killed in the war, whose ghost haunts him.

Lucy

minor

The Dalloways' maid who helps prepare for the party.

Maisie Johnson

minor

Also known as Johnson, Daisy

A young woman from Edinburgh who encounters Septimus and Rezia in the park.

Mrs. Filmer

minor

Also known as Filmer

The kindly landlady of Septimus and Rezia.

Miss Helena Parry

minor

Also known as old Miss Parry, Miss Parry, Aunt Helena

Clarissa's elderly, eccentric aunt who lives in the country.

Joseph Breitkopf

minor

Also known as Joseph, old Breitkopf, Breitkopf

An old friend of the family, remembered from Bourton summers.

Lady Bradshaw

minor

Sir William's submissive wife, who accompanies him to Clarissa's party.

Mr. Brewer

minor

Also known as Brewer

Septimus's former employer at the estate agency.

Sir Harry

minor

Also known as Dear old Sir Harry, Dear Sir Harry

An elderly gentleman mentioned in passing at the party.

Mrs. Hilbery

minor

Also known as old Mrs. Hilbery, Old Mrs. Hilbery

An older society woman who attends Clarissa's party.

Mrs. Peters

minor

A minor acquaintance of the Dalloways.

Mrs. Dempster

minor

Also known as Carrie Dempster

A woman observed by Peter Walsh in Regent's Park.

Mr. Wilkins

minor

Also known as Wilkins

The Dalloways' butler.

Jim Hutton

minor

Also known as Jim, little Jim Hutton, Hutton

A young man at Clarissa's party.

Miss Isabel Pole

minor

Also known as Miss Pole

Septimus's former English teacher who inspired him.

Miss Brush

minor

Also known as devoted Miss Brush, Milly Brush, Emily

Lady Bruton's devoted secretary.

Miss Pym

minor

The florist who sells Clarissa flowers.

Mrs. Walker

minor

The Dalloways' cook.

Mrs. Marsham

minor

A society lady who attends Clarissa's party.

Evelyn Whitbread

minor

Also known as Evelyn, the Honourable Evelyn

Hugh Whitbread's wife, who is unwell.

Edgar J. Watkiss

minor

A passerby who comments on the motorcar in Bond Street.

Sally Parker

minor

A woman mentioned briefly in the narrative.

Mr. Whittaker

minor

A minor character at the party.

Mr. Fletcher

minor

A minor acquaintance of the Dalloways.

Professor Brierly

minor

A scholar who appears at the party.

Little Mr. Bowley

minor

Also known as Mr. Bowley

An elderly gentleman who admires Clarissa.

Sarah Bletchley

minor

A woman mentioned in the narrative.

Lady Lovejoy

minor

A society figure at Clarissa's party.

Lady Bexborough

minor

A society woman mentioned in Clarissa's thoughts.

Mr. Bentley

minor

A minor character in the park.

Agnes

minor

A maid in the Dalloway household.

Lord Lexham

minor

Also known as dear old Lord Lexham, Lexham, old Lord Lexham

An elderly aristocrat mentioned at the party.

Mrs. Hugh

minor

Hugh Whitbread's mother, mentioned briefly.

Mrs. Foxcroft

minor

A society woman mentioned in passing.

Sir John Buckhurst

minor

Also known as John, Sir John

A guest at Clarissa's party.

Willie Titcomb

minor

Also known as Fred

A young man at the party.

Moll Pratt

minor

Also known as Shawled Moll Pratt

A flower-seller on the street.

Mrs. Coates

minor

A woman watching the royal motorcade.

Old Mr. Parry

minor

Also known as old Parry, Mr. Parry, Justin Parry

Clarissa's deceased father, remembered from Bourton.

Elise Mitchell

minor

Also known as little Elise Mitchell

A little girl in the park who runs into a nurse.

Mrs. Barnet

minor

A minor servant character.

Nancy Blow

minor

Also known as Nancy

A young woman at Clarissa's party.