Jane Lilienfeld’s “Where the Spear Plant Grew” discusses the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay. Their marriage is an example of what was expected in the Victorian society. Men went out and worked for their family and women were expected to stay home and maintain the house. Lilienfeld describes Woolf’s interpretation of the marriage as being “mature with sharp critical examination. (149) Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay’s marriage was Woolf’s way of calling for a change in expectations of gender roles. In Woolf’s mind it was time for women to evolve into their own beings outside of their “domestic sphere.” This “domestic sphere” as described by Lilienfeld, limited women to only having power within their homes. Even then, when their husbands returned home the power was given the male. Women limited themselves by staying home. Lilienfeld suggests that Mrs. Ramsay is unconsciously angry at her role. This anger is transferred to further devotion to Mr. Ramsay. On the outside Mrs. Ramsay seems content with her position. As Lilienfeld exemplifies, Mrs. Ramsay says this of books, “She never had time to read them” (150). Mrs. Ramsay’s comforts herself by saying that she is far to busy to relax and read a book, therefore she leads a meaningful and productive life. Woolf wants to reader to see the need for reading and independence. Lilienfeld describes Lily Briscoe as the symbol for change. At first she wishes to structure herself according to Mrs. Ramsay but, finds that she would rather break the mold. Lily Briscoe is the symbol of the modern woman. Lilienfeld’s article explains the symbolism behind Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay’s marriage. It was Woolf’s cry for a change in societies expectations.
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