Mrs. Ramsay strictness and attempt to control Dunstan ultimately causes him to leave Deptford. Dunstan's mother, Mrs. Ramsay has been a very strict parent of Duntan's, and had tired to control him his entire life, eventually when Dunstan comes of age, he gets sick of it and leaves his home town of Deptford to go fight in World War One. Many events occur in the first part of the novel that show her strict ways, and it is easy to see why Dunstan left. Mrs. Ramsay's escapade of anger while betting Dunstan with a whip, her been furious at Dunstan for visiting Mrs. Dempster and her blatantly telling Dunstan he should do what she wants shows her urge for power over her son which ultimately results in a change of setting in the novel.
             Mrs. Ramsay's furious betting of Dunstan when he resists her is the first major example of her thirst for power over him. Dunstan stole an egg from his family to practice magic tricks and it accidentally broke it in his pocket. While he was trying to wash his pocket clean, his mother caught him in the act. The beating started with a strike to Dunstan's left should, Dunstan replied by telling not to touch him, this is where the real lashing began. This event determined Dunstan to gain more independence from his mother. "It was necessary for me to gain more power in some realm into which my parents-my mother particularly-could not follow me" (Davies 30), is a quote of Dunstan's that shows urge to separate from his mother which eventually leads to total separation.
             Dunstan's mother was anger again with Dunstan when he went to Mrs.Dempster when his brother Willie seemed to be in a critical state. This happened while his parents were out and he was alone with his brother, when it looked as if his brother was dead Dunstan went straight to Mrs. Dempster instead of sending for his parents or the doctor. This anger of Mrs.Ramsay in this situation might be justifiable
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