Who is Mr. Ramsay?
Mr. Ramsay is the head of, well, his whole Ramsay family. His character has been a source of dispute among many critics. Some even call him a villain of this great novel. In fact, the initial angry remarks of Lily Biscoe also betray us of the true character of Mr. Ramsay,
That man, she thought, her anger rising in her, never gave; that man took.
But before discussing in length about his character, first, we have to get a little glimpse of his personality. He is an intellectual figure in England, made a significant name in the field of literature and philosophy. But he lacks emotions. His acute obsession with reality makes him a stern head for his family.
Dearth of Accomplishments
Mr. Ramsay has acquired a big name in England due to his contribution to literature and metaphysical philosophy. But he still wants to achieve more; to become as successful as Shakespeare. But his last and toilsome contribution to philosophy does not attain the level of success and recognition among his contemporaries that he expected. Therefore, an anxious sense of failure comes over him,
Mr. Ramsay is dogged by a sense of failure. He has a feeling that ‘he had not done the thing he might have done.
He thinks that the immortal success lies in the letter Z while he is only stuck at the alphabet Q. This makes him sad but he relieves himself by gesturing that he has rendered an honest contribution with hard work in his cherished field.
In Need of Sympathy
His immense sense of failure becomes a major cause behind his immense hunger for sympathy. Virginia Woolf occasionally refers to his need from the mouthpiece of different characters. But, sometimes, his want of sympathy shapes his character in a ludicrous and pathetic manner. In fact, Tansley's great admiration does not satisfy his crave for assurance. He desperately wants sympathy from his wife that she must assure him that his work shall not be forgotten in the clutches of time. And Mrs. Ramsay does fulfil her 'duties' to satisfy his need for sympathy. But the bay widens when Mrs. Ramsay passes away. He, then, looks at Lily and Cam to get back the lost wealth of sympathies but in return, it only makes him a pathetic character.
A Hard Realist
Mr. Ramsay is a pure realist and he wants to see the same in his children. He does not entertain any illusions and myths about life. His stern realism is immediately shown when he asserts straight to his little son James that the weather will not be fine and suitable for them to make their voyage to the lighthouse. A child is not expected to get him introduced to the harsh realities of life but rather a life of illusions and magic. Or at least, Mr. Ramsay could have refused differently and accordingly. When Mrs. Ramsay tries to comfort James with pleasant, childlike myths, Mr. Ramsay is annoyed by this and behaves rudely with her. But what is his rhetoric behind his firm belief in realism? The answer is simple. He wants to make his children acquainted with the hard truths of life at an age that is not appropriate for the purpose of taking them out of their childlike myths. Manifestly, Mr. Ramsay "pursue[s] truth with such an astonishing lack of consideration for other people’s feelings."
Egoistic and Tyrant
Ego is one of the chief traits in Mr. Ramsay. It is abruptly portrayed when he rebukes James for not harbouring any false hopes of visiting the lighthouse. His ego is also shown when Mr. Carmichael asks for the soup again in the dinner scene. His ego, then transforms into a tyrannical dictator towards his children. He wants them exactly like him. In response, his kids grow a silent but violent hatred of their father. For instance, James is so annoyed by Mr. Ramsay's commanding behaviour that he develops an Oedipus Complex against his father to stab him with a knife or a poker. James even recalls him as a "sarcastic brute". But he, then, adds,
He is intolerably egotistical.
Mr. Ramsay's emotional weakness is the only reason that has created a lack of understanding between their father and themselves. But it is somewhat corrected in the deciding visit to the lighthouse.
Some Positive Traits of His Character
Mr. Ramsay is not entirely a character of bad qualities. He is, at heart, a human. But in the end, he is changed entirely. He speaks realistically because he wants his children to be powerful enough to stand against the biting challenges of life with courageously. He is sympathetic by heart but he does not have enough power to express it directly. For example, when his wife is alone reflecting on something,
It saddened him, and her remoteness pained him, and he felt, as he passed, that he could not protect her. He could do nothing to help her.
And later, his desire to protect also helps him win back Cam when they are rowing towards the lighthouse. He even praises his son whole-heartedly for steering of the boat like a "born sailor". Thus burying a long hatchet (hatred) between father and son.
Conclusion
The character of Mr. Ramsay is a complex blend. On one end, he seems an intellectual tyrant who is profoundly affected by his sense of failure and of losing his readers and who is fiercely obsessed with pure truth. But on other end, we can trace out his human heart who wants to establish a good connection with his children. Conclusively, the portrayal of Mr. Ramsay is drawn with both blacks and whites.
Sources and Suggested Readings
- https://neoenglish.wordpress.com/2010/12/11/major-characters-in-to-the-lighthouse/
- https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/to-the-lighthouse/mr-ramsay
- KM Critical Studies of To The Lighthouse - Page 192
- Lectures of Sir Faisal
