To the Lighthouse

Novel | Virginia Woolf
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Comment on the modern elements in the novel “To the Light House.”

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Comment on the modern elements in the novel “To the Light House.” [NU: 2022]

Virginia Woolf’s (1882–1941) “To the Lighthouse” (1927) is a great modernist novel. It is set in the Ramsays’ summer house in the Hebrides. The novel uses new techniques. It shows modern themes like time, memory, psychology, and art

Stream of Consciousness: Woolf uses the modern technique of stream of consciousness. She shows the hidden thoughts of Mr. Ramsay, Mrs. Ramsay, James, Cam, and Lily Briscoe. James wants to go to the Lighthouse at the age of six. But his father, Mr. Ramsay, crushed the hope. He says about bad weather,

“But, it won’t be fine.”

James feels hatred for his father for this speech. Woolf says,

“Had there been an axe handy……would have gashed a hole in his father's breast and killed him,”

Mr. Ramsay always feels insecure. Lily remembers Charles Tansley’s insult, 

“Women can’t paint, women can’t write.” 

These private thoughts make the novel modern and psychological.

Time and Death: The section “Time Passes” is very modern. Time flows like a silent character. Woolf writes, Mrs. Ramsay died that night. Prue Ramsay died that summer. Andrew was killed… by a shell. These deaths are not told in long stories, but in short flashes. The empty summer house, dust, and spiders show time’s power. This is a modern way of writing, different from Victorian style.

Symbolism and Art: Modern literature uses symbols. The Lighthouse is a symbol of dreams and memories. Mrs. Ramsay promises to go to the Lighthouse. At the end, James reached the place. Lily Briscoe’s painting is also symbolic. At last, she says, 

“I have had my vision.” 

Art becomes a modern way of giving meaning to life.

“To the Lighthouse” is modern in technique, theme, and style. The stream of consciousness, the flow of time, and deep symbols make it powerful. Mr. Ramsay, Mrs. Ramsay, James, Cam, Lily Briscoe, and all events in the summer house create a true modernist novel.

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Virginia Woolf
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