(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? (Key: The 'How' of the narrative technique is to be discussed along with features of Stream of Consciousness technique which helps Woolf to put in effective manner what she experienced in abstractions.)
Virginia Woolf has good ability to discrimination and deep sensitivity which proved through representation of the each characters. Another things I found she defines information of her life with biographical way. At the end of the novel may be Virginia Woolf represented her struggle, ambitions by Lily Briscoe. We know that she has luxurious life but she has not freedom. So Virginia Woolf as a women who think a lot then She wrote on women rights & real circumstances of female, Patriarchal population of modern times. Throughout of the novel she interpreted duty & relationship of female characters with male character with different ways. Mrs. Ramsay played various roll as a motherhood, wife, house keeper.
In the novel I can find complexity of human relationship through characters of Mr. Ramsay who may be we find in today's culture and percent society also. It's difficult task to solving that problem because most of the person dependent on other people. Here Mrs.Ramsay as a example of good Indian house wife. She can't do anything without Permission of her husband. So When women broken her particular sense of longing or hoping for person at that time increased battle between dear and near. Here I found one example that Indirectly happen battle between Lily and Mrs. Ramsay.
Moreover, as a female character in the novel Lily Briscoe was soul of art and rationality. Mrs. Ramsay disguised to drawn painting and Lily with hidden way. Here novelist try to said through character of Lily that, How to struggling a women as artist ? What is importance of art in life ? In the novel one dialogue proved mind of society and battle between two gender which spoken by Transley one male character,
" Women can not paint nor write..."
Same as situation openly happening in today's society. Generally Modern society give all type of freedom everybody although In the middle and lower class women is working in only kitchen and take care of children. Many people gave capture of women like as 'Devi'. So Hidden ambition of modern society is that women's no need to go out side for working and learning. Am I right ?. Still women are facing so many boundary in present community. So that there are no equality in any field.
(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. )
I agree with this point that the novel also represented both the side of tribute and critique in Character of Mrs. Ramsay. Mrs.Ramsay is one of the central character in the novel because all things were happening around herself. When we saw her as a Indian ideal women, we get some clue points like She always handled all condition and she try to fulfillment to desire of her son, husband and family. She didn't raised her voice against her husband and she also tried to shaped her daughter same herself. I like to put one sentence here from the novel,
" They must keep the window open and the doors shut..."
It's sentence used symbolic way here. So that in the novel mostly She remain lower in front of superior. Same happening in present Indian society. who is raise question for women rights and freedom against superior ? Another thing when Lily Briscoe painting of Mrs.Ramsey at that time she also confused to found focus of the house. When she drawn painting as a part of the art at that time created conflict between character of Mrs. Ramsay and Lily Briscoe. Lily also arguments with Mrs. Ramsay for what's facts about her life ? but at the end of the novel she remaining in each and every character's heart which may be proved her as a ideal Indian women.
(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 )
I have to say that here both expanding are true because when we imagine the lighthouse as a symbol of Mrs. Ramsay so that She played roll as a delightful way in all the character of the novel. We know that in the movie, lighthouse was inside of sea so there Lighthouse was bearing to slapping of water with loneliness. Same as happening with Mrs. Ramsay in the novel. She remained ready anytime for fulfillment of all desire's everybody but any one couldn't understand her condition or ambition. Another thing lighthouse is single among the sea and it's known through own identity. May be here I compare lighthouse is not used only for Mrs. Ramsay but also suitable for lily Briscoe. Because she preferred to remain single rather than married and She lives freely her life than Mrs. Ramsay. So I should be notify that after death of her, Mrs. Ramsay remain in the everybody's mind but Lily Briscoe also stand in front of terrible condition as a single lighthouse. Hence I have to say that Lighthouse is not only symbol of Mrs. Ramsay but also lily Briscoe.
(4)In the article by Joseph Blotner, two myths are patterned together. Name the myths? How they are zeroed down to the symbols of 'Window' and 'Lighthouse'? How does the male phallic symbol represent feminine Mrs. Ramsay? (Key: The strokes of light-beams. . . )
Myth is a folklore genre consisting of narratives or stories that play a fundamental role in a society. Same as here myth is play vital roll for as a something lawful. I read somewhere that women is a regarded as a land of fertility because everyone born her. In the Bible One myth of Adam and Eve also connected here. Human being spreed through women. In Greek mythology famous myth of Pagan Primordial Goddess and Oedipus. Both are sometime known are the first god and goddess born from the void of Chaos. The Primordial deities Gaia and Uranus give birth to the Titans and the Cyclopses.
In the novel Mrs. Ramsay played three fold relationship and she was mythical figure. One roll was like Rhea. Rhea was a Titanis's mother and known as motherhood, female fertility and generation. Same as happening in novel that Mrs. Ramsay more take care of James as a motherhood. Second roll as Demeter who was goddess of the harvest and she was goddess of sacred law and cycle of life and death.Here Mrs.Ramsay played roll of female fertility because she passed through terrible life but she can't say true about her conscious mind. Fertility also pattern of death in rebirth. Third roll was Persephone who was the Greek goddess off vegetation and especially grain and wife of Hades with whom she rules the underworld. Here Mrs. Ramsay tried to happy her husband Mr. Ramsay. So that Here Same played all the threefold roll by Mrs. Ramsay. One myth's opened several several door with consciously or unconsciously.
(5)What do you understand by the German term 'Künstlerroman'? How can you justify that 'To The Lighthouse' is 'Künstlerroman' novel? (Key: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/325047/Kunstlerroman).
It's a German's literary term. 'kunst' means that something artistry. Here I can find that One text but different way interpretation. It's means that a growth of an artist. May be I can say that Physically and artistically growth too. The classic example is James Joyce's portrait of the artist as a Young Man ( 1916 ). It's autobiographical novel. In the " To the Lighthouse " one Character as a poet Augustus Carmechael was struggle to write poem but at the end of the novel he obtained from insight. Same way happening with Lily Briscoe who struggling for completed painting with particular vision but at the end of the novel she completed her painting with perception. So that may be I connect Kunstlerroman with the maturity of all the characters. Here I have to say Virginia Woolf connected herself with Lily Briscoe because Woolf has ability although she faced lot of struggle for prove her self in her life.
(6)"... the wages of obedience is death, and the daughter that reproduces mothering to perfection, including child-bearing, already has on her cheeks the pallor of death. One reminded here of various texts by Lucy Irigaray, in which she attacks mothers for being, however unwillingly, accomplices in the patriarchal system of oppression." (Viola). In light of this remark, explain briefly Lily's dilemma in 'To The Lighthouse'.
Especially Lily Briscoe had difference thoughts rather than another woman characters in the novel. As we know that this novel designated biographical way by Virginia Woolf ' To the Lighthouse '. In the novel she also fought for freedom who broken all rights of women. During dialogue between Mrs. Ramsay and lily, One thing notify that Lily has not needed of men for better living her life. It means that Lily's thought opposite in front of Mrs. Ramsay's thoughts. So that Lily did not influenced or controlled in any way by other people but at the end of the novel she thought about Mrs. Ramsay without variation. I have to say that Indirectly she had ambition to happen same as Mrs. Ramsay. What's reasons behind becoming as Mrs. Ramsay ? Why did she became Mrs.Ramsay ? because after death of Mrs. Ramsay who seen in everybody's minds.
(7)You have compared the 'beginning' and the 'ending' of the novel and the film adaptation of the novel directed by Colin Gregg (you can see it again in the embedded link.) 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?
Yes, here I found few difference between Virginia Woolf's novel and Colin Gregg's movie. We also know that every word can not express and film maker has his or her own liberty to do change. So in this novel and movie some part and serene are different. We know that, ' One picture says hundred words within one second...' Same happening here In the movie many scene quickly passed away as a comparison of the novel. Novel also described micro things through words but it's difficult to imagine all the things. Film had it's made easy to understand rather than novel.
Another thing when movie passed half over at that time Woolf's novel began. So there we are confused to identify. Here I put one example, I found one difference that at the end of the movie Lily climbed steps with observing & thinking then she put her color brush on the side but in the novel she put her brush suddenly. According to my point of views that movie is better way for understanding of the novel rather than texts book novel because movie has some effective background and technique for clarify but one strong point of book is that The book is also give freedom for imagination of the reader.
(8) 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".)
This is the character of Lily briscoe. She has fond of painting. She always looking for vision. In this novel we come to know that everyone had competed their challenge and got the vision.
In movie we can see the last part of question,that Briscoe got her vision. Into the novel Lily and Mrs. Ramsay both are at centre. But we can say that at the and Briscoe at centre with complete the picture of Mrs. Ramsay and James.
Mrs. Ramsay told her that open the window but keep shut the door.
Sometime we can not see a vision picture in a big fram but when we see it in a small fram we come to know that understating. Small part can help us to know the things. From the window we can see our own interpretation. But at door there are other as well. So, it is fun that Mrs. Ramsay said that Lily Briscoe is fool but it is not so.
(9)What does the catalogue named as 'Army and Navy' signify? What does cutting of 'Refrigerator' signify?
Army and Navy is referred here in novel because Woolf reflect the war drum in novel. Andrew son of Mrs. Ramsay was in Army. It is all about the first world War.
Refrigerator,acoording to me symbols of
1] Technology
2] Development
3] Nature vs preservation
Refrigerator preserve things in cold mode thus things can not be spoil. But when we see the process,it is not natural.
(10)Why did Virginia give such prominence to the tale of the “Fisherman’s Wife”? In particular, why did she weave such a misogynist tale into the fabric of a book which so eloquently challenges received patriarchal notions about the roles and capabilities of women?
Here reader you think that what is the story of fisherman so here it is in brief:
There is a poor fisherman who lives with his wife in a hovel by the sea. One day the fisherman catches a fish, which claims to be an enchanted prince and begs to be set free. The fisherman kindly releases it. When his wife hears the story, she says he ought to have had the fish grant him a wish. She insists that he go back and ask the flounder to grant her wish for a nice house.
So this how the woman demand more and more and her greediness we can see here. She is not satisfied with what she has already. And she demanded more and more, wealth and house and so on.
Once the she wishes to command the sun, moon, and heavens, and she sends her husband to the flounder with the wish "I want to become equal to God". When that final wish is made, the flounder says: "just go home again, she is already sitting in the old hovel again". And with that, the sea becomes calm once more.
Now here we can see the character of Mrs.Ramsay ,Lily Briscoe; They both are different then the wife of fisherman. Into story the characters of woman is strong. We can see the man is weak, she demand more and more and the fisherman went to sea and ask to wish. But not in Lighthouse. Mrs. Ramsay is the controller of the whole household but she is not free as the wife is fisherman. Lily also face some problems because of patrichry. Charles told her that women can not write or paint. Here Woolf reflect the Victorian idea and custom.
This how we can see the conflict among the women characters. Mrs. Ramsay some time not free to buy things. Mr. Ramsay became anger upon her. So she is dependent. We can also see the conflict between married and unmarried women here as well.
(11)How is India represented in 'To The Lighthouse'? (Read this blog for passing reference)
India is ruled by the men-folk.
India is exotic place where there is great romance, adventure and happiness.
Augustus Carmichael’s going to India is considered as some sort of achievement.
India is referred to as a place of desire. . . a desire to visit.
Made in India jewelry is a thing to be possessed – owned with pride.
Some land which is far away – unknown land, the exotic
We can see into e-text there is reference of Indian in context of negotiation and treaties, and context of controlled finance We know that British ruled over India.
When they are talking about the chivalry that time we can find reference of India that it is under the Urope Empire.
(12)Write summaries of these articles
Fluidity vs Masculinity: Lily's Dilemma In Woolf's ' To the lighthouse ' by Andre Viola :-
According to Andre Viola in the novel character of Lily Briscoe's reaction when Mrs. Ramsay was died. Her reactions are same to those of another daughter. In the novel one phrase spoken by Tansley that,
" Women can't Paint...."
Mrs. Ramsay betrays a similar ambivalence at dinner. No doubt she is the presiding hostess who smooths over tensions between people over tensions between people and offers them exceptional nature.
Virginia Woolf it must be stressed in view of the conditions of her early life in late Victorian england, fought an extremely courageous battle against these conditions and formulated audacious and far seeing position on gender issues.
Vision in ' To the Lighthouse ' by Glenn Pedersen
According to Gelenn Pedersen , In the novel ' To the Lighthouse ' the vision of Lily Briscoe reveals that it was Mrs. Ramsay. She was matriarch whose dominion lives ten years but Mr. Ramsay experience it and Lliy Briscoe finally comes to know her vision. Moreover She has relations with ,ale members of the household her to self- centered. Another thing was that Mrs. Ramsay had attitude towards others is determined by their attitude towards her. When Mr. Ramsay demanded sympathy, Mrs.Ramsay became animated and alive. at the last part of the novel Mr. Ramsay went to lighthouse with family members and Lily is continuously confrnted with the necessity of remarking her vision. As Lily stood looking thoughtfully towards the lighthouse for her vision.
In the Picture included Mrs. Ramsay and the past and attempt at integrity but it was not yet complete.
" The steps...were empty...her canvas...was blurred. With a sudden intensity, as if she saw clear for a second, she drew a line there in the center. It was done; it was finished." She had had her vision
Thank you.....
References :-
1)https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/460303.pdfseq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
2)https://www.jstor.org/stable/460631seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
3)https://www.jstor.org/stable/3831911seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
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