To the Lighthouse: 1

     In an attempt to form a character web of the various personas in Virginia Woolf's novel, To the Lighthouse, I find myself struggling to identify definitive character traits when the characters continually introduce subjectivity into their descriptions. For example, James describes his mother as beautiful and beloved. However, Mrs. Ramsay herself is worried that her eagerness to help others is motivated by a selfish desire to feel wanted. Whereas James paints his mother as delicate and selfless, the reader becomes conflicted when Mrs. Ramsay criticizes her husband and reveals her selfish motives. Similarly, the character dynamics are many times understood in a conflicting fashion. Charles Tansley has been nicknamed "the atheist" by the children because he constantly identifies the faults in situations, and he manipulates events so that they reflect beneficially upon himself but disparaging upon others. Before the reader is allowed into the thoughts of Mr. Tansley, they are put off by his superior and egotistical mannerisms. However, upon their walk into town, the reader is allowed inside the thoughts of Mr. Tansley and is able to witness his vulnerability. Mr. Tansley thinks that Mrs. Ramsay is "the most beautiful person he had ever seen" (14), and therefore it is possible that his actions are misinterpreted. Mr. Tansley tells James that he won't be able to go the lighthouse but "in deference to Mrs. Ramsay [he softens] his voice into some semblance of geniality at least" (14). Mr. Tansley is attempting to be kind and gentle in his speech, but Mrs. Ramsay interprets his words as hostile: "Odious little man, thought Mrs. Ramsay, why go on saying that?" (15). The interpretation of Mr. Tansley's words are completely contrary to the tone he intended to convey, demonstrating how subjectivity can alter one's perception of a character or situation.