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As a well-known London psychiatrist, Sir William Bradshaw initially seems to offer hope of a cure or, at the very least, relief for Septimus. He possesses more specialized medical knowledge than Septimus’s general physician, Dr. Holmes, and his work receives continual praise from the public. Rezia in particular clings to the idea that Bradshaw will be able to offer her husband the help that he needs, desperate for their lives to return to normal. When Septimus finally makes it to his appointment, however, the image of Bradshaw as a respected professional quickly dissolves. He joins Dr. Holmes as a figure of oppression, wielding his power over patients in order to convert them to his point of view rather than providing personalized care. While he presents himself to patients and their families in a kind, generous manner, all of the characters who interact with him in the novel leave their meetings with a sense of unease. Rezia immediately declares that Bradshaw “is not a nice man,” and near the end of the novel, Clarissa remembers that she and Richard did not care for him when she sought him out for advice. The repetition of this poor assessment hints at the darker, more cruel aspects of Bradshaw’s character.
Woolf offers more insight into Bradshaw’s philosophy in the moments after Septimus and Rezia leave his office, and these details cement him as one of the novel’s most antagonistic figures. He explains that the idea of “proportion” drives the way he interacts with patients, leading him to recommend that those struggling find more balance in their life. As is the case with Septimus, Bradshaw prescribes rest and isolation as a means of achieving proportion. The fact that his idea of a cure is to impose his worldview onto others highlights just how inauthentic his commitment to his patients truly is. Rather than approaching each case individually, Bradshaw believes that his treatment will work for everyone, and he dooms many to increased suffering as a result. Notably, Bradshaw’s patients are virtually powerless to challenge his authority. Rezia describes him as a “priest of science,” an image which emphasizes the god-like dominance he has over his profession. Between his wealth and his decades of experience, no one dares question Bradshaw’s practices. This position makes him a serious threat to individuality and independence, so much so that Septimus is willing to kill himself to avoid Bradshaw and Holmes’s influence.
