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Augustus Carmichael

Augustus Carmichael emerges as a multifaceted character in Virginia Woolf's narrative, depicted as an older man with a “capacious paunch” and a distinctive “milk white” beard streaked with yellow from opium use. His relationship dynamics, particularly with Mr. Ramsay, highlight themes of trust, secrecy, and paternal influences. As a visiting poet, Carmichael enjoys reflective moments away from societal norms, revealing his preferences for literature over public interactions. Through metaphors like opium and the color yellow, Woolf critiques modernist life and explores deeper human desires, illustrating the isolating effects of his artistic pursuits.

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Augustus Carmichael

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  1. Augustus Carmichael Shruthi S, Andra M, Rahul G, Arvind K

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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)

  6. 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).

  7. 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

  8. Motivations (Augustus’) • For Living: publish and pursue poetry • Carmichael is not significant as a character itself but what Woolf wants him to represent

  9. 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”

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