Clarissa Dalloway navigates the mundane preparations for an evening party while internal reflections on her past choices threaten to disrupt her carefully constructed social identity. The narrative operates through a fluid, non-linear stream of consciousness that shifts between Clarissa and various acquaintances in post-World War I London. As she moves through the city, the physical environment acts as a catalyst for memories of her youth at Bourton, forcing her to confront the divergence between her current status as a politician's wife and the aspirations of her younger self. The prose maintains a tight temporal focus, confining the primary action to a single day while expanding infinitely into the interior lives of its characters.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the technical precision of the stream of consciousness style, noting how it effectively captures the fragmented nature of human thought. Discussion often centers on the contrast between the rigid social expectations of 1920s London and the internal volatility of the characters. Many observers point to the parallel narrative of Septimus Smith as a crucial element that deepens the thematic exploration of mental health and trauma. The pacing is often described as meditative, prioritizing psychological depth over traditional plot progression, which allows for a nuanced examination of regret and identity. This work remains a primary reference point for discussions regarding the evolution of the modern novel.