In a world where almost every sentence we utter, from the moment we become aware of the light streaming through our blinds till the last thought that drifts through our minds before the darkness of sleep washes everything away starts with the word “I,” no one ever pauses to wonder: “Who am I”?
The belief in individuality fuels our lives, yet ask most people who they are, and they’re at a loss!
This confusion arises from one fundamental and problem - we’re all living parallel lives, walking the same well-trodden paths, so where is the line drawn to turn this habitual existence into 8 billion unique individuals, each with different inner thoughts and beliefs?
Does this prismatic point even exist?
This question is at the heart of Virginia Woolf’s ground-breaking novel, The Waves. In the form of poetic and arcane prose, she dives deep into the idea of identity and connection.
Woolf’s lyrical prose takes readers on a journey through six lives—six minds all distinct but mysteriously, hauntingly linked.
Using her signature stream-of-consciousness style, she takes us on a journey through their innermost thoughts and emotions, capturing both their individual perspectives and generic human emotion.
These different perspectives create a unique take on humanity, where individuality and shared identity coexist.
The recurring imagery of the sea -endlessly flowing, separating, and merging - reinforces this paradox. Like waves crashing on the shore, the characters are separate yet formed from the same “water” of human experience.
Woolf masterfully illustrates that while we may believe that we are independent, we are inevitably shaped by our connections with others; just like the waves are shaped by the tides.
At its core, The Waves challenges the idea of an isolated “I”, suggesting instead that our identities are fluid and intertwined.
One character, Bernard, captures this perfectly: “What I call my life, it is not one life that I look back upon, I am not one person; I am many people; I do not altogether know who I am - or how to distinguish my life from theirs.”
Ultimately, Woolf’s exploration encourages us to embrace the complexity of our identities, recognising that while we are shaped by our experiences and relationships, who “we” are is a beautiful blend of individuality and connection.
The Waves is not just a novel; it’s a thought-provoking exploration of who “we” are amidst a sea of “us.”
If you’re looking for a book that prompts deep reflection and stirs the soul, dive into The Waves.
You may just find a piece of yourself within its pages.
