Masculinity In Virginia Woolf's To The Lighthouse

In Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse, experiencing one’s emotion was allowed due to the various streams of consciousness of different characters. In and out of the minds of each character, we get to see different perspectives and approaches of each individual toward the world around them. As the Ramsay family is on a vacation with other guests, it is evident how each person with different personalities and perspectives think and interact with one another. Out of all the characters, Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay are quite complex individuals. They both display masculinity and femininity, but they hold onto each other for what they do not possess. As a married couple with children, they seem to fill each other’s gap. With unique traits, Mr. and Mrs.

and Mrs. Ramsay are distinct. One of the similarities they have is that they want to be thought and treated as an important person in their interested fields. As a scholar, Mr. Ramsay wants to obtain academic achievements and the following fame. He constantly struggles with the idea that his work and himself might become forgotten in the next generation. Mrs. Ramsay, as well, wants to be woven to the memory of others (Woolf, 92). As a mother, a wife, and a hostess, she tries to protect, support, and harmonize people she interacts with. This similarity leads them to the feeling of imperfection. Even with his contribution to his study, Mr. Ramsay sees himself as insignificant. He suffers from insecurity, and this weakens him mentally, which even makes Mrs. Ramsay to think that her husband would have wrote better books if he had not married (58). Mrs. Ramsay also demonstrates her imperfections. Although she plays the roles of protector, supporter, and hostess voluntarily, she yearns for the time and space to be just by herself. With lots of people to take care of, Mrs. Ramsay is always busy being conscious of the vulnerability of everyone else, especially her children. In addition to this, they share the same acknowledgment that nothing lasts forever. To Mr. Ramsay, accomplishments and titles eventually fall into oblivion. Even if he wants his work to be remembered, he knows that will not last forever. At the same time, Mrs. Ramsay understands that "no happiness lasted" (53). With this awareness, she realizes of the importance of each and every moment on the