Research Method

For the purpose of this project, the research is extremely technical. While it would be convenient to open up a search engine and type in "deconstruction of heteronormative behaviors in Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway," or even something such as "feminism in Mrs. Dalloway," these will prove to not be fruitful. Though these methods may be useful in starting the research and data collection process, they are definitely not enough to create a solid thesis presentation without sounding like every other critical analysis that can be found with the use of a search engine for 20 minutes.

The biggest method for research that I will be using for collecting data for this thesis project will be something, simply put, like reading through a specific lens. When it comes to looking at the deconstruction of heteronormative behaviors in Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway, specific textual evidence will be focused on and unpacked throughout the process. I will be specifically looking at text that demonstrate a very certain set of gender roles throughout the story and how each one of those instances either supports, or discredits the current social constructs of the time in which the story is taking place. Specifically, I will be focusing on Septimus and how his mental health suffers due to his attempt to upkeep the perfect facade of masculinity.

In regards to the feminist reading of the novel, this will come from analysis of text that deals with gender roles, but specifically those of the women in the story. What do the women do with their time? Why are they important characters to keep in the story? Overall, how does each character challenge their assigned gender roles and how does that change our understanding of the story? Pieces of text that will be analyze are ones that simply "do not fit" the normal pattern of text.

Throughout the use of the two main areas of focus listed above, there will also be a study of feminist psychoanalysis and toxic masculinity. Once the first round of reading and research is complete, then the "minuscule" details will be brought into account to create an expansion of the idea of the importance of this piece of text in general. The importance of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway comes from its challenging of both gender norms and basic psychoanalysis theories to open a conversation about the societal pressures both males and females face not only out in the public, but in their internal workings as well. This highlights the inherent need for a better understanding of not only physical, but also mental and emotional health.