Girl crush

            On the subject of love, Clarissa Dalloway thinks about her past, introducing us to her friend, Sally Seton. We discover that Clarissa, during her youthful days, was deeply fascinated by Sally’s striking qualities and her free-spirited nature; Sally was essentially everything Clarissa was not, which explains Clarissa’s automatic attraction towards Sally. Clarissa continues to think about the history of her friendship with Sally, and Sally’s impulsive and rebellious acts, which all add onto Sally’s charm. Clarissa’s great admiration for Sally came from the fact that Sally was knowledgeable and liberated in all the ways Clarissa was not. Sally was not afraid to say what she wanted to say, and was able to confidently act out in ways that drew attention from others. Sally was the one who brought light onto topics and ideas that Clarissa was clueless on or had never thought of before, emphasizing Clarissa’s sheltered life. Throughout the course of Clarissa’s memories of Sally, we learn the extent of their relationship. Although some people may think that Clarissa only admires Sally in an innocent way, “not like one’s feeling for a man”, some people may also believe that Clarissa, at one point in her life, did love Sally in a more passionate form outside of her conscious.

          Clarissa recalls the memory of the intimacy shared by her and Sally, one in which the two of them share a kiss, a moment which was then interrupted by the entrance of Peter Walsh. This experience, for Clarissa, was overwhelmingly magical, and it was an experience that Clarissa cherished in her memory and never had a hint of regret for. Clarissa thought of it as the “most exquisite moment of her whole life” (Woolf, 35) This memory of Clarissa’s can be used to interpret the relationship that Clarissa and Sally shared in many different ways. However the author, Virginia Woolf left their relationship in very vague ends. I personally believe that Clarissa held feelings for Sally, which were on the borderline of the love felt in friendship and in the love felt by lovers.  The intimacy sparked by this kiss, I believe, was from the fact that these two girls understood each other so well, that Clarissa was able to attach such passionate feelings and meanings to the kiss. They were lovers in the sense that they connected in ways that were different from friendship and were able to communicate with one another on an emotional level. Rather, an acknowledgement of appreciation and admiration for one another is displayed through their kiss. The love they have for each other is hard to define, but there is no actual point in simplifying their love into words, because love is after all, still just love. Some things are better kept lost in translation.