How does Lily Briscoe experience an epiphany at the close of the novel “To the Lighthouse?”

Answer

How does Lily Briscoe experience an epiphany at the close of the novel “To the Lighthouse?” [NU: 2018, 21] ★★★

Epiphany is a moment of sudden realization of truth. Virginia Woolf’s (1882–1941) “To the Lighthouse” (1927) ends with art and memory. In the Ramsays’ summer house in the Hebrides, Lily Briscoe finishes her painting. Mr. Ramsay sails with James and Cam to the Lighthouse. At this moment, Lily finds her vision.

Struggle with Doubt and Insult: From the start, Lily Briscoe is full of doubt. Charles Tansley insults her. He says,

“Women can’t paint, women can’t write.” 

These words haunt her. She remembers Mrs. Ramsay, who once sat for her painting with James. She feels her brush cannot capture the truth. She was not satisfied with her picture. She carries this dissatisfaction till the end.

Connection with Memory and People: While James and Cam row with Mr. Ramsay to the Lighthouse, Lily stays in the garden of the summer house. She thinks of Mrs. Ramsay’s love, Mr. Ramsay’s harshness, James’s anger, and Cam’s fear. She remembers Prue, Andrew, Nancy, Roger, Jasper, and Rose. She recalls Paul Rayley, Minta Doyle, William Bankes, and Augustus Carmichael. All memories come alive in her mind. Her canvas becomes the meeting place of life and memory.

The Final Truth: As the boat reaches the Lighthouse, Lily draws her last line. Lily says,

“I have had my vision.” 

She suddenly understands her art and her life. This is her epiphany. She conquers doubt. She defeats Charles Tansley’s insult. She honors Mrs. Ramsay. She proves that art can give meaning. At the close, she feels complete peace.

Lily Briscoe’s epiphany is artistic and spiritual. In the summer house garden, she paints while Mr. Ramsay, James, and Cam sail to the Lighthouse. Her last words make the ending powerful. She wins through art and memory.