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Augustus Carmichael. Shruthi S, Andra M, Rahul G, Arvind K. Who Is He?. He is an older man with a “capacious paunch” and a “moustache and beard that were otherwise milk white” when not streaked with yellow from opium (7-8). Joseph Wolstenholme. Relation to Others.
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Augustus Carmichael Shruthi S, Andra M, Rahul G, Arvind K
Who Is He? • He is an older man with a “capacious paunch” and a “moustache and beard that were otherwise milk white” when not streaked with yellow from opium (7-8) Joseph Wolstenholme
Relation to Others • He had “an affair at Oxford with some girl; an early marriage; poverty; going to India; translating a little poetry… and then lying… on the lawn” (8) • Carmichael + Andrew: • acts as a father figure to him • He’s a foil to Mr. Ramsay as a result • Carmichael + Mrs. Ramsey: • no trust and is unreceptive to her charms • This is a result of his wife’s actions to him
What does Mr. Carmichael think of others? • No concrete opinions, no thoughts are his own • Most ideas presented by Mrs. Ramsay; believes he does not trust her • Due to her urges to please, and his past marriage • “the sense she had now when Mr. Carmichael shuffled past, just nodding to her question…that she was suspected” (Chapter 8). • Silence/secrecy-character foil Mr. Ramsay • Andrew, conceal feelings
Profession, Likes/ Dislikes • Augustus Carmichael is a visiting poet • Comes there “every year as an escape” (24) • “true poet” • Likes: Books, poetry, reflecting • “…seemed to reflect branches moving or clouds passing” (10) • Dislikes: Public • “…he would have liked to reply kindly” (24)
Profession, Likes/ Dislikes • His likes and dislikes make him seem aloof • “If he wanted soup, he asked for soup. Whether people laughed at him or were angry with him he was the same” (96).
Motivations (Virginia Woolf’s) • Augustus a caricature of Modernist writers • “He shuffled past… Stained his beard yellow with [opium] (49). • Has purpose: • Selfishness of human desires • Benefits of introversion • Breaks Social Norms • Asking for seconds • Relation with Andrew
Motivations (Augustus’) • For Living: publish and pursue poetry • Carmichael is not significant as a character itself but what Woolf wants him to represent
Images & Symbols Opium: • Pain relief • Failed Marriage • Is marriage for everybody ? • Contrasts Mrs. Ramsey • Value of Freedom Yellow: • Eyes • Artistic vision and meditation • Auras • Mrs. Ramsey’s: “Light of the Lighthouse”