Lily Briscoe’s Artistic Challenge of the Constraints on the Patriarchal Society

Daugherty, B.R. "`There she sat': The power of the Feminist imagination in To the Lighthouse." Twentieth Century Literature 37.3 (1991): 289. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 4 Dec. 2010.

The article “There She Sat: The Power of the Feminist Imagination in To the Lighthouse,” discusses the death of Virginia Woolf’s mother and Virginia Woolf’s desire to recreate an “Angel in the house” figure through Mrs. Ramsay. The article discusses the idea of the perfect mother figure and the doubts located within the ideal, patriarchal mother figure. The author of the article discusses the idea that a women’s desire for knowledge and power is “unnatural and should be punished.” Mrs. Ramsay does not seem to explore the depths of her intellect; she is instead completely focused on the happiness of her family. In fact, the article points out that previously women were believed “too inferior” for “knowledge” and “power.” Mrs. Ramsay is unaware of her own ignorance. The article represents the character of Lily Briscoe as an enlightened woman, who challenges the constraints of the patriarchal society. The article discusses the idea that Mrs. Ramsay is representative of Virginia Woolf’s mother, and Lily Briscoe is an extension of Virginia Woolf. This article pertains to the research question because the article underlies the fact that Lily Briscoe “is a critic of the patriarchal society,” demonstrating Virginia Woolf’s intention to elevate Lily Briscoe when she is the focal point of the narration.

Mrs. Ramsay is a strong female character in the novel, but the author of the article points out that Lily does not merely see Mrs. Ramsay as “a role model.” In contrast, Lily asks herself “How does she differ…What was the spirit in her essential thing?” Lily Briscoe’s questions connote the depth of her mind and intelligence, separating her from the other characters in the novel. She does not idolize Mrs. Ramsay like an immature girl; instead she ponders Mrs. Ramsay’s existence. The author of the article demonstrates the idea that Lily constantly “questions because she wants to see.” Lily does not accept the normal constraints of society; she establishes her own ideas. As artists, Daughtery emphasizes Lily’s unique approach to art and her refusal to allow the patriarchal society to alter her artistic ideas. Instead of trying to give reality meaning, Lily Briscoe confronts reality and has no intention to control the reality of her existence. During her artistic process, Daughtery points out that Lily wants express the “complexity of reality” and “not simplify it. She does not want to give her art wholeness.” Woolf's narration of Lily, unlike the other characters in the novel, challenges the accepted norms of society, especially during her artistic process. The author of the article describes both Lily and Virginia Woolf’s creative process as “an attempt to build into a work of art the acceptance of reality’s resistance to art.” Lily Briscoe’s artistic abilities and intuitive thoughts separate her as an individual in To the Lighthouse.