I think the character of Septimus in Mrs. Dalloway draws several parallels to a religious figure that most everybody knows of: Jesus Christ. I’d argue that Septimus/Jesus Christ is brought into the world by God as a desperate measure, as a last hope to save humanity before it deteriorates into a hellish oblivion, but society is too brutal and unforgiving so Septimus/Jesus Christ sacrifices himself in vain.
It’s not a coincidence that the author describes “Septimus” as a Christian name. Septimus has delusions that he is Christ (as described by Bradshaw), and he threatens to kill himself. “Look the unseen bade him, the voice which now communicated with him who was the greatest of mankind, Septimus, lately taken from life to death, the Lord who had come to renew society, who lay like a coverlet, a snow blanket smitten only by the sun, for ever unwasted, suffering for ever, the scapegoat, the eternal sufferer”. He proclaims that his role in life is to “renew society” and describes himself as “the scapegoat” and “the eternal sufferer”, analogous to Jesus Christ. However, his psychosis, caused by society and humanity, is so pronounced that it prevents him from becoming a figure of redemption.
The novel itself largely focuses on the world and its societal pressures, especially in relation to characters like Clarissa and Septimus, and the atmosphere also includes the recovery of London after World War 1. Compared to other conflicts in the past, WW1 was relatively “godless”- when you think about the constant agony that is trench warfare and the cruel inventions of modern war like mustard gas, it seems as if God has almost abandoned humanity. There is a more agnostic mentality as the twentieth century progresses, possibly due to these atrocities and technological advancement. Therefore, it kind of makes sense that God would send down a savior at this time; he wants to prevent the train of humanity from veering off the cliff of morality.
Also, in the text itself, religion is often described in a negative manner. Characters like Miss Kilman are, from Clarissa’s perspective, cold and intolerant. Kilman once compares her suffering in life to Christ’s agony: “Mr. Whittaker had said she was there for a purpose. But no one knew the agony! He said, pointing to the crucifix, that God knew. But why should she have to suffer when other women, like Clarissa Dalloway, escaped?” Clarissa is also taken aback by how detestable religion is, citing Kilman’s “domineering” and “cruel” behavior. This shows the change in religious attitude from the past to the twentieth century; in Woolf’s eyes, people have adjusted the principles of religion in a more hateful manner. This is another reason why Jesus Christ as Septimus might appear in the story: to bring religion back to its forgiving roots and to make society more kind.
Also, the sacrificial death of Septimus is similar to Jesus’ death to absolve humanity of its sins. Except, this time, his death proceeds in a very insignificant manner, according to the narration. The only soul he might have saved was Clarissa, which is still a far cry from the intentions of the first coming of Christ. I see Septimus as the “second coming” of Jesus Christ; however this time, humanity isn’t worthy enough to save. Septimus/Jesus Christ’s exposure to this iteration of humanity damages him, changes him from a salvation figure to a victim of shell shock, muttering about the cruelties and sins of society. Septimus’ statement that he “could not feel” results in Jesus Christ not being able to save people.
What do you think? Is is accurate to compare Septimus with Jesus? Is Septimus’ role as Jesus Christ ineffectual? Or does the saving of Clarissa mean that Septimus’ sacrifice was worthy and impactful?
This is a really interesting idea! I definitely think it's plausible that Woolf, either consciously or subconsciously, was channeling the idea of Jesus Christ as she wrote Septimus. To me, one of the most convincing aspects of this is how Septimus sort of saves Clarissa- his death brings her new clarity and meaning. Particularly if we interpret Clarissa as a stand-in for the average woman of her time and class, seeing his death as a savior-y is not at all unreasonable, I think. The comparison isn't necessarily 1:1, but I do think there's substance to the idea that Septimus is this Jesus-like figure.
ReplyDeleteI'm generally pretty skeptical about the overuse of the "Christ figure" idea in literary analysis, but you make a strong case for Septimus embodying some of these Christ-like dynamics. (We'll see if you want to say something similar about the ambiguous protagonist in _The Stranger_, who is sometimes viewed in similar terms.) I see this as a variation on the idea of "archetypes," as explored in Solomia, Nathalie, and Tina's presentation earlier this week: it's not that Septimus "is" Jesus, but that, in crafting his character, Woolf may have been tapping into this cultural archetype, as a way of conceiving his relation to Clarissa's story. Part Prometheus, part Jesus?
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