Ramsay and Lily Briscoe's experiences with gender norms and preconceived standards of femininity as commentary. Mrs. Ramsay lives a quiet, sheltered life in a conscious attempt not to shake up society as she knows it. Lily Briscoe lives her life feeling her emotions through artistic expression in a conscious attempt to disrupt the repetitive flow of her life and find the meaning of her existence. And because these two women live their lives so differently, their relationships with others, especially men, are executed in radically different ways. As mentioned above, Mrs. Ramsay's relationship with her husband is quite unhealthy, as they view each other simply as a means to the desired outcome of living an outwardly impressive life. Their relationship becomes so stifled over the years that they walk on thin ice around each other; they only care about maintaining an enviable marriage for the viewing pleasure of others, rather than a healthy partnership. Mrs. Ramsay internalizes Mr. Ramsay's opinions to the point where she "stopped, remembering how angry her husband was that she would say that" (56), almost hypnotizing herself into thinking, acting and perceives as her husband would. In their relationship, they are not equals, but rather there is a clear distinction between who is the leader and who is the follower, as Mr. Ramsay constantly undermines his wife, forcing her