Meaning of life Quote by Virginia Woolf
““But Miss Kilman did not hate Mrs. Dalloway. Turning her large gooseberry-coloured eyes upon Clarissa, observing her small pink face, her delicate body, her air of freshness and fashion, Miss Kilman felt, Fool! Simpleton! You who have known neither sorrow nor pleasure; who have trifled your life away! And there rose in her an overmastering desire to overcome her; to unmask her. If she could have felled her it would have eased her. But it was not the body; it was the soul and its mockery that she wished to subdue; make feel her mastery. If only she could make her weep; could ruin her; humiliate her; bring her to her knees crying, You are right! But this was God’s will, not Miss Kilman’s. It was to be a religious victory. So she glared; so she glowered. Clarissa was really shocked. This a Christian — this woman! This woman had taken her daughter from her! She in touch with invisible presences! Heavy, ugly, commonplace, without kindness or grace, she know the meaning of life!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, 1925
Miss Kilman's envy and moral superiority drive her to desire Clarissa's downfall, reflecting inner conflict and societal judgment.
In simple terms: She envies and wants to dominate Clarissa, seeing her as shallow.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and temper envy and judgment.
Themes
envy
power
class
religion
gender
Mood
tense
critical
reflective
Type
literary
psychological
social commentary
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- social gatherings
- inner monologue
- moral conflict
Key Concepts
psychology
social critique
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What fuels Miss Kilman's resentment?
- How does societal pressure shape their conflict?
A Different Perspective
Her perspective is biased and may misinterpret Clarissa's true nature.
