The hidden values ​​and needs of the characters in To The LighthouseWoolf's chosen role as an author is to discover the hidden values ​​and needs of the psychologies of its characters, and by extension of this, those of its readers — each frequent realization of the character is a real and very personal epiphany, the likes of which people in “real life” do not experience on a daily basis; the characters are in a very real sense, perhaps too self-aware to be considered "real". (Tansley and Lily at the table each understand their situation perfectly.) The underlying message that Woolf seems to be seeking to present is that this self-knowledge does not necessarily have value in itself - Tansley, for example, is incapable of controlling her desire. subjugating others in one's own mind to support one's own uncertain self-esteem; his awareness of this fact does not constitute authorization to modify the fact. Lily feels held back in the same way; years after their statement, Tansley's words (p94) "women can't write, women can't paint", although cushioned by the knowledge that "it clearly wasn't true for him but for a useful reason” (also p94), still cannot be completely removed from one’s mind. Lily's struggle to piece together her memories into a coherent and lasting canvas monument is a metaphor for the intensity of human experience; the meaning being that ultimately it doesn't matter – because that intensity will not be retained even then, no matter how hard the struggle; once captured, the reality of the situation fades and it is time to “move on.” His efforts symbolize the inability of the power of memories and emotions to be lastingly captured - this need is so strong that his desire to imbue meaning with events lives on...... middle of paper ...... has been more verbose and less nebulous in its form ("in MS... more explanations are given" p233, "in MS, Tansley's atheism is more emphasized and contrasted with Lily's belief" p227 - and there are records of many other editions or 'smoothing revisions.) It is not difficult to imagine that Woolf would have been exceptionally pleased with a comment she made about another author in a critical essay : that a work offered (p. 248) "a complete presentation of life... as always [he] creates carelessly, without a word of comment, as if the parts came together without his intending them to, and were collapsing into ruins again without him caring. Woolf's version is more forced; but perhaps that is what is necessary for a job of this magnitude. Apparent spontaneity requires patience. Works Cited Virginia Woolf, To The Lighthouse, Penguin Twentieth Century Classics, 1992