# XIII explained — To the Lighthouse

> Chapter companion for To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf.

## What happens

Lily Briscoe and Mr. Bankes stroll across the lawn, discussing art and travel. Mr. Bankes shares his experiences seeing Rembrandts in Amsterdam and visiting Rome, while Lily reflects on the discontent pictures can cause. They encounter the Ramsays watching Prue and Jasper throw a ball, and Lily sees them as symbols of marriage. The moment passes as Prue catches the ball and Mrs. Ramsay breaks the spell, asking about Nancy. Mr. Ramsay laughs at a story about Hume and retreats to his study.

## Themes in this chapter

### Art and Creativity

Lily and Mr. Bankes discuss art, travel to see masterpieces, and the discontent or inspiration pictures can bring to one's own work.

### Gender Roles and Marriage

Lily sees Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay as symbols of marriage, reflecting on Mrs. Ramsay's earlier attempts to convey its meaning.

## Character check-ins

### Lily Briscoe

Strolls with Mr. Bankes, discusses art and painting, reflects on marriage upon seeing the Ramsays.

### Mr. Bankes

Talks about his travels to Amsterdam, Madrid, Rome, and his wife's health; discusses art with Lily.

### Mrs. Ramsay

Seen with Mr. Ramsay watching Prue and Jasper; greets Lily and Mr. Bankes, mentions triumphing in getting Mr. Bankes to dine.

### Mr. Ramsay

Stands with Mrs. Ramsay, laughs at a story about Hume, then strolls off to his study.

### Prue Ramsay

Throws catches with Jasper, catches the ball brilliantly, and is brought back into family alliance by Mrs. Ramsay.

### Jasper Ramsay

Throws catches with Prue.

## Key lines

> So that is marriage, Lily thought, a man and a woman looking at a girl throwing a ball.

Lily perceives the Ramsays watching their children as the essence of marriage.

_Lily's symbolic interpretation of the domestic scene._

> I have triumphed tonight

Mrs. Ramsay is pleased that Mr. Bankes agreed to dine with them instead of eating alone.

_Mrs. Ramsay's social victory in securing Mr. Bankes's company._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/chapters/xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/chapters