Both Virginia Woolf and Richard struggle with mental instability, which ultimately results in their suicides. Woolf becomes aware of her mental decline early in the story, as Cunningham describes her hearing voices and suffering from headaches that signal her mind's deterioration. Her understanding of her delicate mental condition and the slim chance of recovery drives her to accomplish as much as she can while she is still able to think clearly and write effectively. This awareness also sparks a longing to return to London, even though she knows that the city's hustle and bustle might overwhelm her and lead to a relapse. Realizing that her time might be limited, she chooses to spend it in a place she associates with life. When she notices her symptoms returning, she cannot bear the thought of losing her writing ability, the confinement she would face, or the pain Leonard would suffer, leading her to take her own life.

Richard's mental decline is the result of AIDS. Like Woolf, his deteriorating mental state drives him to suicide due to his fear of never being able to write again. Richard is also tormented by the belief that he has failed as a writer. He asserts that winning the poetry prize was a consequence of his illness, not the quality of his work. His desire to end his life is fueled by this sense of failure and the realization that, now terminally ill and in pain, he can never attain what he considers to be true artistry.

The past plays a crucial role in shaping each character's life. Virginia is tormented by memories of her severe mental illness, which both inspires her creativity and ultimately drives her to end her life. In contrast, Clarissa finds the past to be a source of life-affirming experiences. A pivotal moment for her was when she kissed Richard, which convinced her that love and transcendental experiences are attainable. Laura is less directly influenced by her past, yet her decisions have a profound effect on her son, Richard. His poetry vividly captures images of her, with her abandonment becoming a central theme that adds depth and artistic intensity to his work.