Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf on Gilmore Girls

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Key Details

Genre: fiction
Sub-Genres: literary fiction
Publication Date: 1925
Pages: 211
Themes: identity, time, mental health, class, social expectations, human connection, feminism
Accolades: included on TIME Magazine’s list of the 100 best English-language novels

My Review

While Mrs. Dalloway was a middle-of-the-road read for me, I love how it takes place in just one day. This is always an intriguing literary device for me, especially when the passage of time is a theme, as it is here.

Gilmore Girls Episodes

Learn where this book on the Gilmore Girls reading checklist was referenced:

Season 2, Episode 4 (“Road Trip to Harvard”)

Rory reads Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf on the couch at her grandparents’ house.

Best Quote

“Fear no more, says the heart, committing its burden to some sea, which sighs collectively for all sorrows, and renews, begins, collects, lets fall.”

Book Review

Description

Mrs. Dalloway follows Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares for a party in post–World War I London, reflecting on her past, her choices, and the passage of time.

Parallel to her story is that of Septimus Smith, a war veteran struggling with trauma and mental illness. Their lives never directly intersect, but their inner experiences highlight the fragility of human connection.

Why It Matters on Gilmore Girls

Rory’s reading of Mrs. Dalloway shows her love of both classics and feminist books, which she often reads throughout the show.

Who It’s Best For

Like Rory, this book is best for fans of classics and feminist books.

Reading Tips

Pair it with 2002’s The Hours, starring Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Meryl Streep. It was based on this book. It’s a highly acclaimed, award-winning film and was very good!