If Beale Street Could Talk And To The Light House

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Love as a Form of Resistance and Resilience Love is a universal theme that transcends time and place, resonating with readers across generations. Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse and James Baldwin's If Beale Street Could Talk are impactful works of literature that delve into the intricacies of human relationships, societal expectations, and the pursuit of truth. Set amidst turbulent times in history, both novels examine how love is a form of resistance and resilience in the face of adversity. In To the Lighthouse, Woolf portrays love in various forms, from familial love to the love of art and beauty. The story is set in the summer home of the Ramsays’ on the Isle of Skye, a place of refuge for artists, thinkers, and philosophers. Mrs. Ramsay, …show more content…

Even though Tish and Fonny have every reason to be terrified of what the future holds, they choose to laugh instead. Tish feels things will be all right at that moment, that their love can endure the challenges ahead. For Fonny, Tish’s visitation assures him he is still loved by her and their families, a source of solace while he remains in prison. Tish’s family, despite their concerns, also lean into Tish with love and laughter when she tells them about the baby: “Our laughter in that kitchen, then, was our helpless response to a miracle. That baby was our baby, it was on its way, my father’s great hand on my belly held it and warmed it: in spite of all that hung above our heads, that child was promised safety. Love had sent it, spinning out of us, to us. Where it might take us, no one knows.” (Baldwin 49). Tish can face the uncertainty of her future as a young pregnant woman because she is supported and loved by her family. Much like To the Lighthouse, the appreciation and love of art is explored as a form of resilience against the harsh world in If Beale Street Could

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