Each individual has an outer part of their personality that is revealed to others and an inner part that is kept only to themselves. Therefore, there is a contrast between how a person looks and the reality of who they really are. In her novel Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf presents the theme of appearance versus reality through the thoughts and actions of the novel's protagonist, Clarissa Dalloway. The novel reveals a single day in Mrs. Dalloway's life, reflecting her memories of the past and her encounters in the present. As the story unfolds, it's clear that Clarissa's appearance and behavior on the surface do not at all match what she feels inside. On the surface, Clarissa appears to have a regal and calm face. However, in reality, she is unhappy and dissatisfied with many aspects of her life, including her physical appearance, her social status, and her marriage. Due to Clarissa's inability to share herself with others, the people who claim to be her friends do not truly know or understand the real Mrs. Dalloway. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay On the outside, Clarissa appears a beautiful, happy, confident 50-year-old woman. Yet inside she is filled with many fears and doubts. She doesn't like the way she looks or the person she has become. During an outing, Clarissa hopefully imagines that she could start her life again, revealing that she "would have looked even different" (10). When she compares herself to Lady Bexborough, she reveals her true sense of herself. Clarissa would gladly trade her outward appearance for Lady Bexborough's appearance, claiming: “She would have been, like Lady Bexborough, slow and stately; rather large; interested in politics like a man; with a country house; very worthy, very sincere” (10). Although Clarissa is attractive for a woman of fifty, she has very low self-esteem. She is even dissatisfied with her body, describing it as "this body, with all its capabilities, seemed like nothing---nothing at all" (10). Besides her appearance, Clarissa doesn't like the person she has become. She is upset that she cannot do things simply for her own pleasure. Instead, “half the time she did things not just for herself, but to make people think this or that” (10). Clarissa's self-esteem is so low that she sacrifices her individuality to become liked by others. However, Clarissa hides her melancholy well. She always stands "light, tall and very straight", which makes her appear outwardly as a confident woman (12). However, Clarissa is not only unhappy with her appearance, but also with her place in society. One of Clarissa's fears is that she might one day be forgotten and no longer appreciated. Clarissa fears that this is imminent, explaining: "She had the strangest feeling of being invisible herself, unseen, unknown; there was no more marriage, no more children now, but only this astonishing progress and rather solemn with the rest of them, up to Bond Street, this being Mrs. Dalloway; even more Clarissa this being Mrs. Richard Dalloway” (10-11). Clarissa is upset and worried that she will become forgotten and known only as the wife of Richard Dalloway. However, she is aware that she has renounced all individuality by marrying Richard, and that from now on her identity is obtained thanks to her husband. Clarissa emphasizes her lack of importance for herself and others. When Clarissa's husband was invited to lunch.