Mr. Ramsey Family In The Lighthouse

Working Paper # The Ramsey family during the beginning of the novel illustrate a dysfunctional family, towards the end of the novel they realize the difference it makes to put their pride aside that will conclude to their family slowly healing and uniting through Lillys painting. This family can not seem to agree with each other. Mr. Ramsey is a man who is very harsh toward his family while his wife is the opposite of him she is a loving person. Mrs. Ramsey tries to understand her husband but she can not because of how selfish he is. He states during the first part of the book that if he did not have kids maybe his career would be more successful. Mr. Ramsey does not know how to show his emotions and love to his family but rather comes …show more content…
Mrs.Ramsey seems to favor James because he is the youngest and she can not picture his life without her. She believes without her, he can not function that is why James has very close connection with his mother. James begins to cry out of frustration because he knows his father is the reason he can not go to the Lighthouse. Mrs.Ramsey insist that the family goes to the lighthouse because of the memories for their children. She wants them to remember going and not remember the time they were not able to go because of their father who was holding them back. Mr. Ramsey is the opposite he does not care for the memories nor does he think the way his wife does. At the end of “The Window” part, Mr. Ramsey wants his wife to declare her love for him because he knows she can show him love but wants her to actually say it. Mrs.Ramsey illustrtates her love towards husband through this quote” She could not say it. . . . [A}s she looked at him she began to smile, for though she had not said a word, he knew, of course he knew, that she loved him. He could not deny it. And smiling she looked out of the window”(pg 254) . This quote illstruates the weird relationship that the Ramseys pertain, although Mrs.Ramsey is very loving and caring she can not seem to say the words “I …show more content…
She wants to relate with him but she struggles to show because of James feelings toward his father. James then takes over the boat and leads them, he sails the boat not the way his father would want him. He sails the boat in a different way purposefully because he knows his father will criticize him. Mr. Ramsey at the end does not critize him but instead admires the way he sailed the boat. This is suprising for both children because they know their father is usually always negative and harsh towards them but for once their father reacted differently. Cam feels liberated from her father’s anger and her brother’s expectations. She knows James finally feels good about himself because his father for once praised him. For once James finally feels good about himself for the complaint his father gave him. During this very moment as well Lilly finally finishes her painting. “With a sudden intensity, as if she saw it clear for a second, she drew a line there, in the centre. It was done; it was finished” pg 434. This quote is on the last page of the novel and it is very important quote because it symbolizes how the painting in some way offers a healing. It offers a healing because finally the Ramseys were at peace and finally Lily proves wrong to Charles Tansley who once told her women cannot paint or write. Once the painting