Gender Roles and Conflicts Expressed in Virginia Woolfs...

Gender Roles and Conflicts Expressed in Virginia Woolfs To the Lighthouse Time and time again, gender-conflict has continued to be a focal issue. Since the beginning of time, this dilemma has been articulated through novels or other various forms of writing. It is now brought to the publics attention in forms such as the news, radio and the workplace. Habitually asked, are the age old questions of: what is a mans place in society?, what is a womans place in society?, or is there a specific place for either? Furthermore, is there a genuine difference at all? One critic explains, Woolf reaches beyond personal relationships to explore mans wider relation to the Universe (McNichol 1). In Virginia Woolfs novel, To the†¦show more content†¦The expectations that Mrs. Ramsey speaks of to Lily never bothered her so much, but the subject becomes very touchy when she becomes utterly disturbed with Mr. Bankes for the reason that he claims, Women cant paint, cant write, (101). It is at this moment that Lily realizes why it is that she will never marry; people cant deal with variation in life. Lily feels inadequate both as a woman and an artist, because it is not expected that she can do both, (Dougherty 1). She is a modern day woman who knows she does not need a man to be able to live her life happily and to be able to make something of herself, but she still feels a void since she knows it is expected of her from everyone in society to take on the long-established roles of women. As for Mrs. Ramseys take on the subject matter, she feels that women should understand that they need to please men, for men have the power to rule India or become President, and she cant identify with why Lily doesnt comprehend this. In some rationale though it doesnt matter to her because she only sees Lily as having, Those little Chinese eyes and her puckered-up face, she would never marry; one could not take her painting very seriously..., (19). She too expresses the same mindset as that of Mr. Bankes; that women cannot alter their lifestyles, should not al ter their lifestyles. This is where Woolf herself fits into the novel and how she uses Lily Briscoe to represent her own