Gazing and Being Gazed at: An Analysis of the Construction of Subjectivity Manifested in Lily Briscoe’s Painting Process in To the Lighthouse

Abstract

This paper employs the theory of gaze to examine the construction of subjectivity of Lily and Mrs. Ramsay through Lily’s painting process in To the Lighthouse. Lily’s artistic pursuit lies in capturing the complexity of Mrs. Ramsay’s existence rather than merely reproducing her external image. In her initial attempt, Lily adopts a confrontational gaze as a means of resisting the intrusion of the patriarchal gaze; however, this approach inevitably distorts her representation of Mrs. Ramsay. Through her later reflection, Lily recognizes the limitations of this oppositional perspective and develops a more mature sense of subjectivity, enabling her to reconsider her previous interpretation of Mrs. Ramsay. By overcoming this distorted perception, she finally completes the central composition of her painting and gains a deeper understanding of Mrs. Ramsay’s choices, presence, and existential significance. This paper argues that both the alienating gaze and the confrontational gaze ultimately reduce others to objects that serve the subject’s own desires. Genuine understanding of oneself and others can only be achieved through transcending these modes of perception and acknowledging the freedom and autonomy of each individual.