An exploration of water imagery in Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse and The Waves

Abstract

Water imagery has been used in various texts from Greek times to modern times in literature and beyond. It has found significant space in the works of modernist artists ranging from writers to painters. One such modernist writer is Virginia Woolf who has repeatedly incorporated water imagery in her writings. Her personal and professional lives both contain special significance of water. It has been used in various works of Woolf to establish relationship between characters, nature and emotions. The fact that is noticeable in the texts is that with the passage of time everything in life changes but water remains constant bearing evidence to the changing phases of their lives. The changing phases of characters as well as the changing of time can be showcased with the help of water imagery. Thus, this dissertation seeks to observe the use of water imagery in Virginia Woolf’s two novels namely To the Lighthouse and The Waves. By doing a textual analysis, I will explore how water serves as physical presence, spiritual guidance and reflection of life for the characters in the novels.