Septimus Warren Smith Quotes

Septimus Warren Smith, aged about thirty, pale-faced, beak-nosed, wearing brown shoes and a shabby overcoat, with hazel eyes which had that look of apprehension in them which makes complete strangers apprehensive too. The world has raised its whip; where will it descend? (1.32)

Septimus' fear shows on his face, and creates fear in others. He thinks the world has it out for him.

Septimus, lately taken from life to death, the Lord who had come to renew society, who lay like a coverlet, a snow blanket smitten only by the sun, for ever unwasted, suffering for ever, the scapegoat, the eternal sufferer, but he did not want it, he moaned, putting from him with a wave of his hand that eternal suffering, that eternal loneliness. (1.78)

Septimus imagines himself as a lonely savior figure. He believes that he has a message to share – that his suffering can at least teach something to others. In the end, it seems he's right: his death is certainly a lesson to Clarissa.

The rope was cut; he mounted; he was free, as it was decreed that he, Septimus, the lord of men, should be free; alone (since his wife had thrown away her wedding ring; since she had left him), he, Septimus, was alone […]. (4.41)

Septimus is oppressed by the idea that he has to act normal for his wife. When he sees that she no longer wears her wedding ring, he feels like he’s finally been released from that responsibility.