To the Lighthouse: 2

      Charles Tansley is viewed in a negative light by both Mrs. Ramsay and the children; however, the children view Tansley as condescending and arrogant, whereas Mrs. Ramsay remarks on his insecurities. "The atheist," as Mr. Tansley is known by the children, likes to pretend that he is the center of the universe. His mannerisms and point of view upset the children, "until he had turned the whole thing round and made it somehow reflect him and disparage them- he was not satisfied. And he would go to picture galleries they said and he would ask one, did one like his tie? God knows, said Rose, one did not" (8). The children view Mr. Tansley as very condescending and vain. The only good that can be found in a situation must be derived from Mr. Tansley himself, demonstrating how he is very self-serving and conceited. In addition, the children also imply that he is not very well liked in society. Mr. Tansley loves to flatter himself, but the children paint him as very aloof to his surrounding environment. Mrs. Ramsay is also not very intrigued by Mr. Tansley, calling him "an awful prig- oh yes, an insufferable bore" (12). Mrs. Ramsay believes that she can see right through Mr. Tansley's facade of intelligence and superiority: "She saw now why going to the circus had knocked him off his perch, poor little man, and why he came out, instantly, with all that about his father and mother [...]" (12). Mrs. Ramsay believes that Tansley is insecure due to regrets about his childhood. When he becomes uncomfortable, he begins to ramble "ugly academic jargon" (12) in an attempt to salvage his composure and reputation. Although Mrs. Ramsay considers herself subservient to the male gender, she calls Tansley 'little,' indicating that she does not have high respect for him as a man. Each perspective of Mr. Tansley is reflective but biased, and his true personality and motives are probably a blend of the multiple perspectives presented. Taking into consideration the opinions of the children and Mrs. Ramsay, Mr. Tansley is most likely an opinionated character who requires addition attention as an adult to compensate for the lack of attention he thought he deserved as a child. The reader is like a stranger standing outside in the dark, and each character is like a house. Each perspective is like flipping on a light switch in the rooms, partially illuminating the truth of the character. As more perspectives are introduced, the reader is able to have a better understanding of the character as a whole.