Living in the 21st century leaves us with many questions and uncertainties about the future. Since quarantine, I've been making a list of books to read with all the extra time. As you can probably guess, To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf was on that list. When reading it again I realized that it is a classic nonfiction novel that depicts the anxieties of both the 20th century during WWI and the 21st century’s current COVID-19 pandemic.
Virginia Woolf is an English writer who is known as one of the most influential modernist authors in the 20th century. It was published in 1927 by the Hogarth Press, however, it is still relevant in modern times. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay bring their eight children and some guests and hosts a dinner party at their vacation home in the Hebrides right before World War I. Despite the simplicity of the plot, it is secondary compared to the themes of change and uncertainty. To The Lighthouse shares the same internal anxieties about the world for both the 20th and 21st centuries, and these themes provide comfort for the reader living a world defined by COVID-19 and unpredictability.
The 19th century was an era defined by bold scientific developments such as Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. New ideas caused people to question their faith in religion. Woolf was cynical in her era; she did not know what to think about an age full of technological advances, an increase in consumerism, and fears of warfare. Just like her outlook on the world, her expectations for the future were bleak. Now, in the 21st century, humanity is in the midst of a global pandemic. To The Lighthouse’s existential thoughts on human existence mimic the mindset of the 21st century during the current pandemic.
Mr. and Mrs. Ramsaty are two characters who serve as foils for each other. This conveys the significance of your viewpoint on life. Mr. Ramsay is a philosopher who is often characterized as stressed and stubborn. He is anxious about his accomplishments as a philosopher and is often worrying about whether or not his work will be impactful and withstand time. Because of this, he represents the idea of fear in the novel. The idea of uncertainty for the future has been prevalent throughout, and Mr. Ramsay is plagued by his inability to control and understand the future. Mrs. Ramsay, on the other hand, has a different viewpoint. Unlike Mr. Ramsay, Mrs. Ramsay is considered gentle, thoughtful, and hardworking- she also embraces conventional gender norms and therefore fulfills the duties as a housewife, host, and mother. Although she also gets stressed and overwhelmed by her work, she does not share Mr. Ramsay’s attitude. For example, Mrs. Ramsay speaks aloud to herself and says, “One must take them whatever comforts one can”(Woolf 12). Mrs. Ramsay is aware her life is not perfect easy or always fair, yet she is conscious and mindful about her life. She always puts her life in a greater perspective to see the bigger picture. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay share the belief that the world is transient; nothing in this world lasts forever. However, the differences between these characters’ attitudes suggest there is more than one way to view life. I think everyone could learn and benefit from Mrs. Ramsay. With the COVID-19 pandemic changing the world as we know it, it is important to hold onto and appreciates the comforts we still have. It is easy to lose sight of this get overwhelmed by uncertainty, but it is important to remember what we do have in life and appreciate it; since life is unpredictable, we should cherish what we do have despite the chaos of the world.
There’s a subtle moment where Mr. Ramsay decides to look past the negatives in the world. Mr. Ramsay walks across the lawn and sees Mrs. Ramsay and their son, James in the window. His reaction seemed out of character. “though still lovely and unfamiliar from the intensity of his isolation and the waste of ages and the perishing of the stars, and finally putting his pipe in his pocket and bending his magnificent head before her—who will blame him if he does homage to the beauty of the world?”(Woolf 26). Mr. Ramsay decides not to punish James nor demand for sympathy from Mrs. Ramsay. Instead, Mr. Ramsay allows himself some peace of mind by deciding to appreciate the beauty around him- much like the way Mrs. Ramsay approaches situations. This scene shows that Mr. Ramsay knows that everything, including the stars in the sky, will eventually come to an end. However, he chooses to not ruminate and dwell on the bleak aspects of life. Instead, he embraces what life gave him in that moment and decided to not worry about anything else. This subtle shift in character shows how life is what you focus on. Mr. Ramsay often dwells on existential fears, yet this character-breaking scene shows the power of changing your mindset.
T o the Lighthouse is written in the third person, implying an omniscient narrator. Woolf was known as being the pioneer for the stream of consciousness technique. She uses the style throughout the book, for there are numerous monologues on the contemplation of life and humans’ significance along with other ideas. This technique makes the characters seem more real by exposing their authentic and vulnerable inner thoughts. Overall, I enjoy the novel a lot because of its unique style and relevant themes. The messages and symbolism in the book make it a very enjoyable and thought-provoking read. However, I would not recommend this book to everyone. Because of the scarcity of the plot, this book can get a little boring if you are expecting a story with more action. The plot is secondary to the themes in the book, and I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to comfort in our uncertain world.
To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf maybe ninety-three years old, but it is a beautiful work that conveys the uncertain times we are living in. There are multiple ways to view life and deal with fears. This novel does not provide the reader with an easy solution to these uncertain times, however, it can provide comfort. Knowing there was a time in history with people who shared the same fears about life is comforting, especially for readers who feel alone and anxious in unstable times. Humanity has dealt with hardships and will continue to as long as life progresses.