To the Lighthouse Love Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #13

(Suddenly, as suddenly as a star slides in the sky, a reddish light seemed to burn in her mind, covering Paul Rayley, issuing from him. It rose like a fire sent up in token of some celebration by savages on a distant beach. She heard the roar and the crackle. The whole sea for miles round ran red and gold. Some winey smell mixed with it and intoxicated her, for she felt again her own headlong desire to throw herself off the cliff and be drowned looking for a pearl brooch on a beach. And the roar and the crackle repelled her with fear and disgust, as if while she saw its splendour and power she saw too how it fed on the treasure of the house, greedily, disgustingly, and she loathed it. But for a sight, for a glory it surpassed everything in her experience, and burnt year after year like a signal fire on a desert island at the edge of the sea, and one had only to say "in love" and instantly, as happened now, up rose Paul’s fire again. And it sank and she said to herself, laughing, "The Rayleys"; how Paul went to coffee-houses and played chess.) (3.5.16)

Lily is strongly attracted to the idea of being in love, but she thinks love ultimately is not the right outcome for her. Thinking of the Rayley couple is a good deterrent from the idea of falling in love.

Quote #14

One could talk of painting then seriously to a man. Indeed, his friendship had been one of the pleasures of her life. She loved William Bankes. (3.5.17)

Lily loves William as a friend. Without romantic love getting in the way, she can share her passions with William.