Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in To the Lighthouse, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Time
The Meaning of Life
The Nature of Interior Life
Art and Beauty
Gender
Summary
Analysis
Still in the scene on which the book opened, Mr. Tansley repeats: “No going to the Lighthouse, James,” and though he inwardly attempts to make his voice sound nice “in deference to Mrs. Ramsay,” she thinks him an “odious little man” to keep saying what he says.
Mrs. Ramsay’s long memory of the trip to town takes up almost no “real time”; everyone is still in the same conversation that started the novel. Mr. Tansley echoes Mr. Ramsay’s comment, eager to align himself with his teacher even if it hurts Mrs. Ramsay’s feelings.
Themes
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