To the Lighthouse

Shortly before eight a.m., ten years after the events of Part 1, Lily is alone at the breakfast table. She feels out of place amongst the Ramsay family, and she cannot bring herself to have any deep feelings about the deaths of Prue, Andrew, and Mrs. Ramsay. Mr. Ramsay, Cam, and James prepare to go to the lighthouse.

Delays frustrate Mr. Ramsay, and Lily hears him tearing around the house and the terrace in a rage. She remembers being at the house ten years ago, when she had a problem with a painting. She decides to paint the problematic picture as soon as she thinks of it, as if “she knew now what she wanted to do” (200).

As Mr. Ramsay’s erratic behavior continues, Lily finds she is unable to paint. She recalls meeting with the six remaining Ramsay children and Mr. Ramsay the night before, in the house “full of unregulated passions” (201). Before going to bed, Mr. Ramsay discussed the trip to the lighthouse with James and Cam, who agreed they would be ready at 7:30 the following morning. She feels sympathetic to the siblings, who are now 16 and 17 years old; they appear subdued.