James Ramsay

Cam Ramsay

Cam and James are siblings who share a close, conspiratorial bond, often united in their silent rebellion against their father.

Mrs. Ramsay

James adores his mother with an intense, possessive love, seeing her as a source of comfort and protection against his father's harshness.

Cam Ramsay

Cam and James are siblings who share a close, conspiratorial bond, often united in their silent rebellion against their father.

Mrs. Ramsay

James adores his mother with an intense, possessive love, seeing her as a source of comfort and protection against his father's harshness.

The Window

Young son who eagerly anticipates the lighthouse trip, representing childhood hope and desire.

The Window I

Filled with joy at the prospect of the Lighthouse trip, then furious when his father dashes his hopes; cuts out pictures from a catalogue.

II

Is told by his father that the trip to the Lighthouse is cancelled.

III

His hopes for the Lighthouse trip are dashed by his father and Charles Tansley; Mrs. Ramsay soothes him.

IV

James is mentioned as sitting with Mrs. Ramsay in the window, part of Lily's painting subject.

V

Fidgets while being measured for a stocking, resentful of serving as a model for the Lighthouse keeper's boy; receives a kiss from his mother.

VI

Hates his father for teasing him and for crushing his hope of going to the Lighthouse; receives comfort from his mother.

VII

Stands stiffly between his mother's knees, filled with hatred for his father's interruption and emotional demands.

VIII

Sits with his mother as she reads him the story of the Fisherman and his Wife.

IX

James is mentioned as the child in Mrs. Ramsay's lap, part of the subject of Lily's painting.

X

Listens to the story, tugs at his mother, and looks back toward the Lighthouse, thinking about the trip.

XI

James is mentioned as having gone to bed, and Mrs. Ramsay reflects that children never forget, linking to her earlier thoughts about the importance of what one says and does.

XII

Mentioned as having been read fairy tales by Mrs. Ramsay; also referenced in the context of the promised trip to the Lighthouse.

XVIII

Awake and upset about the boar's skull; receives a promise from his mother about the Lighthouse trip.

The Lighthouse

Sails with his father, grappling with old resentments but ultimately achieving a moment of understanding.

I

Scowls at the lamp during the evening, reluctantly agrees to go to the Lighthouse.

II

Appears with Cam, following their father to the Lighthouse.

III

James is in the boat with Mr. Ramsay and Cam, sailing to the Lighthouse.

IV

Steers the boat, silently resenting his father's tyranny. He recalls a memory of his mother yielding to his father, and observes Cam's struggle, believing she will give way and leave him to fight alone.

VIII

James struggles with hatred and resentment toward his father, recalling the moment Mr. Ramsay declared the weather would prevent the Lighthouse trip. He contemplates killing the 'black-winged harpy' of tyranny, yet also feels a deep, unspoken connection with his father.

X

James is present in the boat, focused on the sail, and is noted by Cam for his view of their father as a sarcastic brute and tyrant.

XII

Steers the boat, feels satisfaction at the Lighthouse's reality, resents his father's lack of praise, and is secretly pleased when praised.