Medical Gaze and Psychology of Septimus Warren Smith in Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway

Abstract

the interplay between the medical gaze and psychological dimensions in Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway, focusing on the character of Septimus Warren Smith. The medical gaze, a concept developed by Michel Foucault, refers to the dehumanizing scrutiny of patients by medical professionals. Septimus, a shell-shocked war veteran, becomes the subject of such a gaze, which is instrumental in his mental deterioration and alienation. The paper explores how Woolf critiques the clinical approach to mental illness through Septimus's interactions with doctors and the broader social implications of this treatment. By analyzing Septimus's psychological profile and his experiences with the medical establishment, the study highlights Woolf's commentary on the intersection of mental health, societal expectations, and the individual's struggle for identity. The paper aims to reveal how the dehumanizing effects of the medical gaze contribute to Septimus's tragic fate and to reflect on the broader implications for understanding mental illness and patient care.