Hiteshbhai C. Parmar

Semester – M.A. Sem. 3Year 2014 – 15

Date: - 05-09-2014

Topic:- Symbolism in Virginia Wollf’s ‘To The Lighthouse’

My Presentation at:Smt. S.B. Gardi Department of English,

Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji

Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar.

To The Lighthouse

• This novel is published on 5th May – 1927.

• The novel is landmark of high modernism.

• To the Lighthouse, Virginia Woolf used the language of psychoanalysis.

• Reader can find stream of consciousness during reading the novel.

To The Lighthouse

• The novel set on duration of 10 years (it deals with the year - 1910 to 1920).

• The centre of the novel is Mr. and Mrs. Ramsays and their visit to the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

The novel’s first section taking place on a day before the First

World War.The Window

A Middle period in which all the action happens “off stage”

during the warTime Passes

Last section taking place on a day after the First World War.

The Lighthouse

The novel divided into three parts.

What is Symbolism?

• In the broadest sense a symbol is anything which signifies something; in this sense all words are symbols.

• In discussing literature, however, the term "symbol" is applied only to a word or phrase that signifies an object or event which in its turn signifies something, or has a range of reference, beyond itself.

What is Symbolism?

• In simple way, can say that symbol is something which can show some idea, thought, image, in one word or design. If only symbol can show, reader can understand whole idea of that concept.

Hospital

Traffic Lights

What is Symbolism?

• . . . the artistic method of revealing ideas or truths through the use of symbols

• Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

• Many novels have two layers of meaning. The first is in the literal plot, the second in a symbolic layer in which images and objects represent abstract ideas and feelings. Using symbols allows authors to express themselves indirectly on delicate or controversial matters.

• Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Modernist Literature and Symbolism• The Modern Period, in the decades after World War I, was a

notable era of symbolism in literature.

• The general association of a Peacock with pride and of an Eagle with heroic endeavor,

• The Rising sun with birth of something good.

• The Setting sun with death, or surrender or failure.

Modernist Literature and Symbolism

પર્વ� ત ને� ને�મે� પથ્થર, દરિરયા�ને� ને� ને�મે� પ�ણી�,‘ ’ ઈર્શા�� દ આપણી� ત�, ઈશ્વરને� ને�મે� ર્વ�ણી�.

This name ‘ ’ઈર્શા�� દ ` is shows the name of writer. That writer is Chinu Modi.

Power position of White people on the entire society.

Ideology of white people and their ambitious.

Satire on science and blindly followed people.

Animals are more rational and civilized.

• Gulliver’s Travel

• Symbolism in Virginia Wollf’s ‘To The Lighthouse’

Lighthouse: Titular Significance Lily’s Painting Ramsay’s Summer House The Boar’s Skull Rose’s arrangement of the grapes and pears The Sea, the Storms, the rock, reefs and shallow

water

Lighthouse: Titular Significance

• The lighthouse is stand alone on a rock with the huge construction.

• That light symbolized the ray of goodness.

• It is symbolized like truth triumph over darkness.

• Different critic has explained this symbol in a different ways. (See .doc)

Lily’s Painting

• Symbolizes woman’s struggle in patriarchal society.

• Against gender convention: “Women can’t paint or write”.

• . The process of Lily’s painting throughout the novel can be seen as not only a symbol of the artistic dilemma faced by the modern artist, but specially o a female artist.

Ramsay’s Summer House

• Against gender convention: “Women can’t paint or write”.

• “Time Passes” section

The Boar’s Skull

• The presence of the skull acts as a disturbing reminder that death is always at hand.

• Symbolizes transient nature of art and life.

Rose’s arrangement of the grapes and pears (The Fruit Basket)• The basket testifies both to

the “frozen” quality of beauty that Lily describes and to beauty’s seductive and soothing quality.

• The absence of fruit basket in 3rd part, signifies the transitory nature of beauty, art and truth.

The Sea, the Storms, the rock, reefs and shallow water

The Sea• The Sea shows the

instability of time and life.

The Storms• Storms consist of both wind

(air) and rain (water). And as air is the element representing the mind, and water is the element representing the emotions, storms symbolize agitated thoughts and emotions. Metaphorically, storms are our Inner Demons which torment both our mind and our Subconscious.

The Rock• The rock show the life is too

hard to life. It gives suffer, as Mrs. Ramsays survived her life. The rocks, reefs and shallow water symbolized the final danger and miseries .

• Just as the saying. “its always seems always darkest before the dawn”

• These symbols are showing certainty of life. The rock show the life is too hard to life. It gives suffer.

Reefs Shallow Water

Conclusion

• While finding symbols in the novel, it is still a subject of debates. Still critics are interpreting the symbols in different ways. To The Lighthouse is a masterpiece of construction through symbolism. It is an organic whole.

Thank You…...