The Voyage Out · Chapter
Chapter III explained
The Dalloways dine with the ship's company, sparking conversations about gender roles, politics, and English identity.
What happens
The Dalloways dine with the ship's company, sparking conversations about gender roles, politics, and English identity. Clarissa Dalloway observes the eccentricities of the Ambroses and Mr. Pepper, while Richard Dalloway discusses women's suffrage and the burdens of responsibility. Rachel Vinrace, silent and self-critical, is captivated by the Dalloways' sophistication. Later, Clarissa and Richard privately reflect on their fellow passengers and their own ambitions for England.
Themes in this chapter
Gender and Education
The dinner conversation reveals contrasting views on women's roles, with Mrs. Dalloway and Richard opposing suffrage, while Helen Ambrose challenges traditional domestic expectations.
Social Class and Conformity
Clarissa Dalloway's private reflections critique the 'cranks' and 'odd' behavior of the Ambroses, emphasizing class distinctions and the importance of social propriety.
Communication and Silence
Rachel Vinrace remains silent throughout the dinner, absorbing the conversations and feeling a sense of inadequacy, highlighting the theme of silence and observation.
Characters to notice
- Mrs. Dalloway
Engages in dinner conversation about gender equality, music, and English pride; privately reflects on the other passengers and her desire for a son.
- Richard Dalloway
Discusses his political views on women's suffrage and the importance of English continuity; shares a private moment with Clarissa about their ambitions.
- Helen Ambrose
Debates with Mrs. Dalloway about the value of nurses versus cooks and the nature of responsibility; shows restraint and independence.
- Ridley Ambrose
Appears unkempt and gloomy at dinner; dismisses women's suffrage and jokes about traveling with children.
- Rachel Vinrace
Silently observes the Dalloways, feeling self-abasement and a sense of her own absurdity; is drawn to Clarissa's elegance.
- Willoughby Vinrace
Hosts the dinner and engages in conversation about ship captains and navigation; supports the Dalloways' views on suffrage.
Key passages
“I’m convinced people are wrong when they say it’s work that wears one; it’s responsibility. That’s why one pays one’s cook more than one’s housemaid, I suppose.”
Mrs. Dalloway argues that responsibility, not work itself, is what exhausts people, using the difference in pay between a cook and a housemaid as an example.
Reflects her views on class and labor.
“Nobody can condemn the utter folly and futility of such behaviour more than I do; and as for the whole agitation, well! may I be in my grave before a woman has the right to vote in England! That's all I say.”
Richard Dalloway strongly opposes women's suffrage, hoping he will die before women gain the right to vote.
Highlights the anti-suffrage sentiment of the era.
“She said we lived in a world of our own. It’s true. We’re perfectly absurd.”
Rachel reflects on Mrs. Dalloway's earlier comment, feeling that she and her companions are isolated and ridiculous.
Shows Rachel's self-critical perspective and admiration for the Dalloways.