Baron Marbot's Memoirs

"Narrower and narrower would her bed be. The candle was half burnt down and she had read deep in Baron Marbot's Memoirs. She had read late at night of the retreat from Moscow." (31)

Clarissa reads Memoires du general baron de Marbot before she goes to bed alone. In the book Napoleon is retreating from Moscow with his Grand Army during the Napoleonic Wars. He was once invincible and France had been at the height of it's power, but that all changed when Napoleon could not capture Russia's capital. Napoleon retreats along desolate roads in shame. This story is relevant to Mrs. Dalloway because the First World War ended and England is not the almighty power it once was. Napoleon parallels with Clarissa because in a way she is retreating from Richard because she does not feel passionate for him. She thinks about how she failed Richard, just like Napoleon failed France.

~"Baron Marbot" Mrs. Dalloway Tips. March 28 2000. September 29, 2008.
~Macgregor,Mary. "The Retreat From Moscow" Heritage History. 2007. September 29,2008.