Keeping up Appearances

Clarissa Dalloway is the main character in the story. She is in her mid-fifties and married to Lord Richard Dalloway, a politician. As a politician's wife, it is of the utmost importance that Clarissa's life consists mostly of being the perfect and appropriate politician's wife. This means shopping for the right clothes and furnishings, keeping up her home with the labor being supplied by servants, ensuring that Elizabeth receives a good education, and entertaining distinguished and notable guests. It also includes fretting that Elizabeth does not like pretty things like her mother or care about the things women of society are supposed to embrace and enjoy.

Although the Dalloways have servants, Clarissa works hard to ensure that the house is just so. It must be filled with nice and unusual things; things that make a house homey while still being a showpiece. Clothes must be perfect...