ThinkAct: To The Lighthouse

 

1. How can you explain that 'what' Virginia Woolf wanted to say (for example, the complexity of human relationship, the everyday battles that people are at in their relationship with near and dear ones, the struggle of a female artist against the values of middle/upper class society etc) can only be said in the way she has said? 

 

   It seems an exquisite representation of the all characters. Some how it gives the biographical images of the writer. We might be feel that she writes this novel to her parents.  After reading about her we find that she had all the facilities but for the basic women rights, she tries to portray the real situation of the   ' Patriarchal ' society. Through the female characters she wants to show that a woman should know the menace of the gilded cage. 

When we see the characters of Mr and Mrs Ramsay that time we realizes the complexity of human relationship, which remains  present even today also in the society. The main difference between this couple is the approach towards the life. The expression of their desires. Through the character of Lily writer tries to show the struggle of a female artist. People like a Transley thinks that women can not paint or write. This thing happens even today also. There are so many fields where women are still not considered as an equal employer, writer, player or artist. 

 

2. Do you agree: "The novel is both the tribute and critique of Mrs. Ramsay"? (Key: Take some clues from the painting of Mrs Ramsay drawn by Lily Briscoe and the article by Andre Viola and Glenn Pedersen. Can we read Mrs. R in context of the idea of Ideal Indian Woman - Karyeshu dasi, Karaneshu manthri; Bhojeshu mata, Shayaneshu rambha; Kshamayeshu dharithri, Roopeshu lakshmi; Satkarma yukta, Kuladharma pathni. )

 

Ans), Yes I agree that the novel is both the tribute and critique Mrs Ramsay. Firstly The definition of an ideal woman given in above link is itself problematic in contemporary times, as every person wants the liberality in his/her life, they don't want to be confines in the control of any institution (But anyhow, they have to be) so the idea of an ideal Women according to Indian mythology given in above link says that a wife must be a good loyal worker just like a maid; a good adviser like a minister of King’s court; a caretaker like a mother; Romantic like Rambha, in bed room; a pardoner just like a goddess of earth; a beautiful like Lakshmi, the goddess of leaning and wife of Brahma; and perfect duty minded one. Now, all the characteristics indicates that a wife must be doing something for others not for herself like she must be a caretaker like a mother who can take cares of of her husband or children, romantic like a Rambha who would satisfy the need of man. in this idea of Women we can't find the free space for a women as the responsibilities has been already give as a boss gives to their paid employs. so we can say that novel is critique of Mrs Ramsay as she seems a traditional housewife whose duty is please other people surrounded by her. I think the tragedy of a traditional Women in modern times has been shown in the delighted character of Mrs Ramsay through the perspective of Lily Briscoe and her painting. In painting Mrs R. is knitting and guiding a child which shows the characteristics ideal housewife. on the other side, the novel is also the tribute to Mrs R. as the unfinished desire to provide cloths, first aid, newspaper (necessity of all an entire human being) to far living people to the lighthouse being fulfilled by her family members, especially by Mr. Ramsay. I this the novel is more critique rather tribute to Mrs Ramsay as it is nowhere indicated or said in the novel that the visit to the Lighthouse is in the memory of Mrs. Ramsay, but it has been tried to convey in more philosophical way. 

 

 

3. Considering symbolically, does the Lighthouse stand for Mrs. Ramsay or the narrator (Virginia Woolf herself who is categorically represented by Lily)? (Key: Take help from the presentation on Symbolism to connect Mrs. Caroline Ramsay with Lighthouse. Secondly, the narrator / author cannot fully disappear from the novel and thus the stoicism of Lily to paint and thus prove that she can paint, is symbolically presented in stoicism of Lighthouse. Read 'lighthouse' symbol from presentation slide with this insight to connect lighthouse with the narrator. Give your concluding remarks in the comment below in this blog )

 

Ans), Mrs. Ramsay can be seen as the lighthouse as the symbol of lighthouse is consider as the strong pillar which bears the pounce from the sea, which is stood in between of the sea and not only suffering from the sea but also shows the way to the wandered people. In the same manner Mrs. Ramsay is also tries to please all the people all the time and still remains objective and having very kind nature. Lily can be also called the lighthouse because throughout the novel she is being irritated by the Tensely(Patriarchy) by such statements like "Women can't write or paint" as the lighthouse also has to suffer many storms into the sea. but ultimately at the last she proves herself by completing her painting that whatever Tensely (society) says about her (Modern Women) she is free from all the stereotypes.

 

4. How do you interpret the last line of the novel (It was done; it was finished.Yes, she thought, laying down her brush in extreme fatigue, I have had my vision.) with reference to the ending of the film (After the final stroke on the canvass with finishing touch, Lily walks inside the house. As she goes ante-chamber, the light and dark shade makes his face play hide-and-seek. She climbs stairs, puts her brush aside, walks through the dark and light to enter her room. Gently closes the door - speaks: "Closed doors, open windows" - lies on the bed and with some sort of satisfaction utters: "Dearest Briscoe, you are a fool".)

 

Ans),Yes, the last line of the novel suggests two things. one is that painting is now completed and another is that she proved herself as an independent women in the modern times just by complete the paint. she does not just paint a picture but that picture is of Mrs. Ramsay, by that painting she would tries to prove that she is not like Mrs. Ramsay who was busy in house keeping which clearly indicate in her painting.

 

7.You have compared the 'beginning' and the 'ending' of the novel and the film adaptation of the novel directed by Colin Gregg. Do you think that the novel is more poignant than the movie? If yes, do you ascribe the fact that the power of words is much greater than that of the screen / visuals?

 

Ans), Yes,  there are a few difference between the novel and a movie. In the movie most of the scene runs faster compared to the novel. The another different is comes in the end. In the novel Lily just puts her brush. While in a movie she goes upstairs and start talking with herself. 

 

   In a movie it becomes little bit difficult to understand. Whereas the technique, parentheses of the novel helps reader in the understanding. 

 

8) How do you interpret the last line of the novel - It was done it was finished

 

These last lines suggested that Briscoe realized that Mrs. Ramsay was not totally wrong. Close the doors but open the windows. Though,she thought marriage is not necessary, marriage and family is important also. In the film before making final stroke she sees Mrs. Ramsay and jams wandering happily in garden. She also might want live that life. So, that can be her vision going inside the room, leaving brush somewhere, and on bed saying Briscoe, you are a fool suggests that Mrs. Ramsay was right. Now she has her vision.

 

 

9.What does the catalog named as 'Army and Navy' signify? What does the cutting of 'Refrigerator'  signify?

Ans), 'Army and navy' catalog signifies a time of war.Mr. Ramsay's bigger son dies in the war. So here the catalog named ' Army and Navy ' represents the war and consumerism. 'Refrigerator' preserve the things as it is Normally we use a refrigerator for keeping the things as it is and here we can find those things in Mrs. Ramsay, she always tries to preserve the refined form of culture as it is her responsibility so we can say she remains as a preserver of the culture like a traditional woman.

 

11- How is India represented in 'To The Lighthouse'?

Ans).   first is for patriarchal rule means the male-dominant countries in which women's role like Mrs. Ramsay as Pure Bharatiya naari. Second is the wealth of India like Gold, Pearl, etc. So many times we hear about the prosperity of India. So most of the time India portrayed as a land of pearls. We can interpret that Augustus Carmichael refers to India as a land of peace. We can connect this thing with T. S. Eliot's  The Waste Land too.