The Lighthouse Chapters 1 and 2 Summary

The following morning Lily sits at her old place at the breakfast table. She is alone, since Mr. Ramsay, James and Cam have planned an excursion to the lighthouse. Lily is frightened of her own lack of feeling. Since her last visit here, ten years ago, Mrs. Ramsay, Prue and Andrew have died. Lily feels nothing. Mr. Ramsay paces on the terrace, waiting for his children to assemble for the lighthouse excursion. Lily is out on the lawn, not trying to paint but trying to avoid an encounter with Mr. Ramsay. She has always found him unpleasant. She wishes Mrs. Ramsay were here to act as a buffer.

Lily senses that Mr. Ramsay needs to say something before he will let her in peace with her canvas. She resists making contact with him because of his demanding...