payment page
Ellie Henderson is Clarissa’s cousin, and although she does not appear until the novel’s end, her presence at the party nevertheless allows Woolf to expand her exploration of social class. Before the reader gets a glimpse into Ellie’s point of view, early references to her indicate that she lives a vastly different life than Clarissa. She initially does not receive an invite to the party because Clarissa finds her particularly dull, but after a mutual friend mentions it to her, she receives a reluctant invitation. The fact that Clarissa repeatedly complains about inviting Ellie to her party reflects just how much she cares about maintaining her status through the social gatherings she hosts. Ellie, with her quiet persona and worn appearance, unintentionally threatens the prestige associated with the party and, more specifically, Clarissa herself. As a result, Clarissa avoids speaking to her the entire evening and leaves her to stand alone on the outskirts of the event. Only Richard bothers to approach her, and the calmness he displays in this moment ironically suggests that he is more secure in this social environment than Clarissa is as the hostess.
Meanwhile, Ellie does not take offense to the poor treatment she receives at the party and instead marvels at everything that makes it seem like an elite gathering. Given how poor she is, even the smallest things leave a lasting impression on her. Ellie admires the beautiful clothes that the young women are wearing, and she is shocked to learn that the Prime Minister is in attendance. Her desire to recount these details to a woman named Edith, presumably a friend, emphasizes the allure of this lifestyle for those who are unable to access it. Of course, this idealized perspective contrasts significantly with the internal struggles that Clarissa and other characters of her status face throughout the novel. Including Ellie in the novel ultimately allows the reader to see Clarissa’s party through the eyes of someone outside of her social class.
