# II explained — The Voyage Out > Chapter companion for The Voyage Out by Virginia Woolf. ## What happens This chapter delves into Rachel Vinrace's character, her haphazard education typical of well-to-do girls in the late nineteenth century, and her deep immersion in music. It contrasts her passive, dreamy existence with the practical concerns of Mrs. Chailey, the ship's housekeeper, who complains about the linen and her cabin. Helen Ambrose observes Rachel sleeping and reflects on her vulnerability and the awkwardness between them. ## Themes in this chapter ### Gender and Education Rachel's education is portrayed as shallow and unsystematic, typical for girls of her class, leaving her ignorant of practical and intellectual matters but free to pursue her musical talent. ### Self-Discovery and Ignorance Rachel's mind is described as being in a state of dreamy confusion, accepting her lot complacently, yet her music provides a form of communion and expansion. ## Character check-ins ### Rachel Vinrace Sitting idly in her room, reflecting on her fragmented education and her passion for music; she falls asleep while daydreaming. ### Helen Ambrose Observes Rachel sleeping, considering her aesthetically and as a young woman, then leaves quietly to avoid conversation. ### Willoughby Vinrace Briefly speaks to Rachel, telling her to find employment and mentioning Mr. Pepper's knowledge of separable verbs. ### Mrs. Chailey Complains to Rachel about the poor state of the sheets and her uncomfortable cabin near the boilers; later arranges her ornaments in the new room. ## Key lines > The way she had been educated, joined to a fine natural indolence, was of course partly the reason of it, for she had been educated as the majority of well-to-do girls in the last part of the nineteenth century were educated. Her upbringing, combined with a natural laziness, was typical for wealthy girls of her time. _Highlights the theme of gender and education._ > Her mind was in the state of an intelligent man’s in the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth; she would believe practically anything she was told, invent reasons for anything she said. Her mind was like that of an intelligent person from the Elizabethan era, credulous and inventive. _Illustrates Rachel's intellectual naivety._ > All the energies that might have gone into languages, science, or literature, that might have made her friends, or shown her the world, poured straight into music. All her potential for learning other subjects or forming relationships was channeled entirely into music. _Shows how her education funneled her talents into one area._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyage_out_se/chapters/ii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyage_out_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyage_out_se/chapters