On reading "To the Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf

[Todd]

Hi Jack,

I'm not sure how I missed this. This is a book I've always meant to read. I know the gist of it but there's a possibility that I'll be missing some key allusions.

There are so many cool things going on in this poem. I feel though like I'm missing two out of every three like I'm skating over the ice and everything is happening underneath.

Here are my thoughts:

Phallic barbershop pole,
standing like a night watchman
between the sea and green hillsides,--so we start out with a sexual image (which let's face it a lighthouse is) I like the way you write the demarcation in L3
I have given you a name, a face,
the leathery stubble which nurses adore,--Great personification. I love the added detail on this line
blue boiler suit worn like a red mark
upon the forehead,--Again excellent excellent lines. I love the personification of the blue boiler suit and worn like a red mark upon the forehead...that worn part might be one of the best in the poem
and in place of the bulb blinking
on and off, yellow spotlight
across the grim stage, his voice,--grim stage is great
that mangle, broken radio,--that mangle sounds a little off
which waits for silence and then screeches
a tune. No ships are safe in his presence.--solid ending it sounds like both what it is meant to represent and points to the observers view toward being "safe in his presence"

I'm sure I missed a lot but it was a good read.

Thanks,

Todd[/b]