In Virginia Woolf’s novel To the Lighthouse, many words and themes are
repeated. One such is the mentioning of the urn and the geraniums when the
father’s view is shown. I wouldn’t think that something so simple should be
such a highly reoccurring image unless it held some distinct value. A noticed
trait of Mr. Ramsey’s is this need of validation and assurance of his actions,
intelligence, and presence. This trait is shown explicitly in the words of
Woolf, “He was a failure, he said… It was sympathy he wanted, to be assured of
his genius… He must have sympathy. He must be assured that he too lived in the
heart of life, was needed” (37).
One of the aspects of Jungian physiology is the discussion of the “shadow”.
This shadow is, similar to Freudian, the aspects of the personality that the
ego recognizes, but unlike Freud’s shadow, Jung’s shadow is much more neutral,
not having a delegation of good vs. evil. This shadow is possessed by all
people, and can be encountered through dreams and visions. By encountering the
shadow, a person can develop in the process of individuation. This process is
another aspect of Jungian psychology that is the development from the unconscious,
allowing for growth in the psyche of a person.
Urns, usually lidded and holding in function, may be symbolic of the
ever-present shadow of Mr. Ramsey. It is there, but covered and never interacted
with, keeping him from achieving a state where he can encounter the shadow,
which keeps individuation from occurring.
The use of the shadow also plays to Mr./ Ramsey’s desire to improve.
Though too much interaction with the shadow can prove dangerous to the
personality, (as mentioned above) by encountering the shadow, one allows for
growth. Much of Mr. Ramsey’s piece addresses this desire to move forward, to
surpass point R and get to point T if not Z (the letters hold no significance
and are placeholders for achieving certain ‘levels’ of a heightened state of
being).
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