Clarisssa Dalloway – although in a less-than-perfect marriage and feeling isolated, she is not depressed, and even at one point states that she enjoys the isolation. She likes to be the socialite entertainer of the upper class English society, but when Peter called her “the perfect hostess”, she cried about it when she was alone.
Septimus Warren Smith – essentially a mirror character of Clarissa, although they have no direct interaction in the novel. He has fought in the war, which left him shell-shocked, and is since plagued by depression and severe isolation.
Peter Walsh – philosophical in nature, unstable, ambivalent, grumpy, he often scolded Clarissa and argued with her, and she disliked the fact that everything had to be shared with him if they were to remain in a relationship. Maybe this was the ultimate reason why she chose Richard over him. However, Clarissa often thinks of him “If he were with me right now what would he say?” and treasures the distant relationship they now have.
Richard Dalloway – simple, stable, hardworking, provider, doesn’t really understand Clarrissa.
William Bradshaw – Septimus’ doctor, rich, upper-class and very attached to that, he is proud of the public respect he enjoys.
Sally Seton – a past love interest of Clarissa, reveals her uncontained, complex character. In the days when they were friends, both resented the institution of marriage and had somewhat communist ideals.
Rezia Smith – Septimus’ wife whom he tells about his desire to commit suicide, which causes her a lot of pain. She is from Italy and feels isolated in the English society; however, she still tries to support Septimus in his mental illness.
Hugh Whitbread – dislikes Peter, they might have been rivals for Clarissa’s affections in the past, conservative, pathetic, unquestioning.
Miss Kilman – has a creepy love interest in the 17-year-old Elizabeth and tries to destroy her ties with Clarissa, poor, she is jealous of and resents the wealthy people she works for and the entire upper class English society, a communist.
Elizabeth Dalloway – Clarissa and Richard’s daughter, strays away from the socialite society, enjoys nature and animals, is passive, unsurprisingly resents Miss Kilman.