Novella Analysis - A Room With a View PDF

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A Room With a View E.M. Forster 1908

1. Read first to understand the characters and plot 2. Research background context of the novel (political and literary context), EM Forster, and Modernism 3. Read again carefully and make careful notes - Plot summary every 4-5 chapters - Write out character sketches - How settings change

Main Character descriptions (1-2 paras) Describe values, relationships, basic info Lucy Honeychurch - Well to-do - Cousin of Lucy - Wants to do what is right and proper, but it isn’t in her heart - Goes through the motions to please others - Believes herself to be happy and fortunate with her lot in life, but Mr. Emerson sees through her veil to her discontent, though she is offended by being called “poor girl” - Pretty, pale, undeveloped face. Brunette, - Slow to understand what people say, quick to grasp what they mean George Emerson - brooding, passionate and free-spirited young man - Smart, knowledgeable - Unhappy with life Charlotte Barlett - Cousin of Lucy, chaperone - Very prim and proper: wants everyone to speak according to their station, act appropriately - Poor - Wants to look after Lucy well - Entitled, always plays a martyr for Lucy - Not pliable, consistent, not humble - Superficial, somewhat simple minded

Mr. Beebe - Clergyman - Kind but self-important somewhat - Narrow minded, judgemental - Dislikes Italians for their lack of privacy and pryingness, and lack of intellect - Bald, russet whiskers - Likes to observe and study women, but doesn’t think much of them - Increasingly likes Lucy and grows fond of her, thinks George immature and pessimistic Miss Lavish - Pompous, says she knows Florence but gets them lost, refuses to ask directions, harshly judges the Emersons by their appearance - Original, intellectual, eccentric, frowns on those beneath her - Values truth, justice, human interest, feminist Miss Alan - Italian, low intellect - Mr. Beebe makes mocks her - Charitable against her better judgement, tolerant Mr. Eager - chaplain - Pompous, proud, rude - Destroys a valuable book unnecessarily to the dismay of the vendor, refuses to let Lucy pay for it - Selective in company, (privilege to be chosen) Freddy - Lucy’s brother, 19 - Neutral about his sister’s relationship with Cecil - Indifferent towards his mother, passive aggressive - Straightforward, tends to speak his mind - Distrusts Cecil instinctively - Respectable, the sort of man who has made England what it is - Averse to the old ways, democratic, in favour of equality Mrs. Honeychurch - Lucy’s mother - Tied to propriety and tradition - Strong willed, asks advice but doesn’t take it - Hates anything sentimental and bombastic

Cecil Vyse - Old friend and admirer, becomes Lucy’s fiance on third attempt - Medieval, Like a greek statue, tall and refined, square shoulders, willful, proudly tilted head, - Well educated, well endowed, physically fit and attractive, self-conscious - Figure implies celibacy, like a greek statue - Has a dark side - Has no profession, profession of leisure, doesn’t really care about anything but himself - Feels he needs approval from people -

pretentiously sophisticated and "superior" Londoner who despises country society but is desirable in terms of rank and class

Mr. Emerson - Gruff, lower-class, tactless - Believed to be a Socialist and to have raised George to be a socialist - Honest, straightforward, abrasive - Is kind to people because he loves them, not to improve his character (as George says everyone else does)

Plot Summary What happens to whom and why?

Chapter 1: Charlotte goes on about how she and Lucy were supposed to have south-facing rooms but were given rooms without views. Her outrage is overheard by a gruff ill-bred man, Mr. Emerson, who offers to switch rooms with them. Charlotte refuses, not wanting to become indebted to a lower class stranger. Upon reacquainting with Mr. Beebe, the clergyman, he scolds Charlotte for doubting Mr. Emerson’s intentions and again offers on his behalf to switch rooms. Charlotte accepts and takes the larger room, stating she’s sure it was George’s and doesn’t want Lucy indebted to the boy because it’s improper and her mother wouldn’t approve. Lucy suspects an ulterior motive, but believes Charlotte to be selfless on the trip so doesn’t ask more about it. Lucy finds a piece of paper with vile writing that outrages her. Sure that it belongs to George, she preserves it to return it to him.

Chapter 2: Lucy awakens and delights in the fresh view from her room. She watches people on transit, soldiers marching, and children on their way to school. Charlotte enters and reprimands Lucy for

not locking the door and being half out the window without being dressed. Lucy dresses and Charlotte prepares breakfast. Charlotte isn’t feeling well but insists on accompanying Lucy everywhere. They visit with Miss Lavish, who promises adventure and Lucy agrees to accompany her. Despite Miss Lavish supposedly knowing Florence well, they become lost. They find their way and run into the Emersons. Miss Lavish openly frowns on them and their appearance as an eyesore in her city, then runs off, leaving Lucy alone and lost. She enters a church and begins to finally enjoy herself a little. She unceremoniously runs into the Emersons and is determined to be gracious to them, beautiful rather than delicate, and to undo the hostility of her cousin. They invite her to join them, which she refuses for propriety's sake. Mr. Emerson says she’s repeating what old people say but doesn’t believe that’s really what she wants. As they tour the church, Mr. Emerson repeatedly disturbs a service unintentionally and is snubbed by the people. He and Lucy continue the tour and he tells her how unhappy George is. He tells her she should let herself go and get to know George for both their sakes. She doesn’t know how to respond to him as George comes up to them announcing her cousin’s arrival. Lucy is put off and realizes how improper she has been, and takes offence to Mr. Emerson calling her “poor girl” because she is happy and enjoying herself (although we’ve seen that she isn’t necessarily).

Chapter 3: Lucy plays Beethoven on the piano with a mix of passion: love, hatred and jealousy. She comes alive while playing and takes no notice of the world around her, content where she is. Mr. Beebe disapproves of her music but says that if she lives as well as she plays, it will be very exciting for her and them. Mr. Beebe informs that Miss Lavish is writing a book about Italy and Lucy comments that they started good friends but their relationship changed after the incident earlier. Mr. Beebe gossips about Miss Lavish to Miss Alan and Lucy. He tells how Miss Lavish went to the smoking room alone to talk with the Emersons. Beebe asks Miss Allan how she likes the Emersons after the violet incident, which flusters her and she says she doesn’t like them. Mr. Beebe tried and failed to introduce the Emersons into respectable society. Miss Lavish (intellect) and Miss Alan (good breeding) is hostile to them, Miss Bartlett (obligation) barely civil to them. Lucy is intrigued by them and Mr. Beebe wants them to fail in befriending her so as not to corrupt her with their way of thinking. The Emersons have given up making friends and Mr. Beebe reflects that they should find their level, but decides to plan an outing with Lucy well-chaperoned to make them happy. Lucy decides to go out alone at night to explore the streets and Italian life despite the disapproval of Miss Allan and Mr. Beebe, who says she knows she mustn’t go at all, and believes too much Beethoven to be the influence.

Chapter 4: Lucy reflects that music helps her know herself best and is bored with the previous conversation. Everything she wants to do is unlady-like. Charlotte told her it’s women’s job to support others in achievement. If a woman did so herself, she would be shunned, despised, and ignored. Metaphor of the medieval woman: to rest and do nothing while the knight fights the dragon. Lucy resents this image and wants to take part in adventure, but is in conflict with herself. To disapprove the others, she buys some pictures of nude statues that she admires. “The world is full of beautiful things, I just wish I could come across them” (P. 32). While in the Piazza, Lucy witnesses a man get stabbed by the fountain. She faints but George Emerson catches her. Lucy refuses his hand up and tries to escape from him. He escorts her back and throws her missing photos into the river because they’re covered in blood. Lucy is ashamed of her behaviour and George tries to comfort her. She doesn’t want to be seen with him to avoid gossip. She thinks he is trustworthy, would not gossip about her, is intelligent, and kind but is not chivalrous. She notices a change in herself towards him.

Chapter 5: Charlotte responds well to her incident and Mr. Beebe thinks she is ready for adventure. Lucy is conflicted within herself and doesn’t know whether her thoughts are right or wrong. Mr. Beebe invites Lucy and Charlotte for an outing with the Emersons and a few others. Charlotte declines but insists Lucy accept. Lucy refuses, not wanting to be near George. Charlotte knows Lucy despises running errands with her and is smug. Lucy thinks she needs to treat Charlotte nicely since she is keeping her secret. Lucy is bored with Charlotte and their errand when they encounter Miss Lavish where the murder was, collecting information for a novel. Afterward, Charlotte comments how superficial Miss Lavish is and how pathetic her novel will be because Miss Lavish believes in justice and truth and human interest and the destiny of a woman. They run into Mr. Eager who invites them for a drive, a privileged invitation. Lucy would previously loved to go, but is finding that her desires are changing. They discuss Lucy witnessing the murder, Charlotte takes blame for not chaperoning, and conceals the sex of her excort. After Eager refuses to compensate the vendor, they continue shopping for worthless trinkets. Lucy is not impressed. Eager tells how Mr. Emerson made an advantageous marriage to his now dead wife. Mr. Eager says how they will get nothing more than a snub from him, claiming Emerson murdered his wife. Lucy fires up against Eager but backs down when asked why she’s defending them. Later Charlotte and Lucy discuss how the two invitations for the drive are the same event. Lucy realizes she will have to entertain Mr. Eager and Mr. Beebe alone because they don’t like the other company. Charlotte says they can leave Italy if Lucy is bored, and she recalls the quiet

freedom of her country home. To avoid the drive the following day, Lucy says she’s tired of Florence and wants to go to Rome.

Chapter 6: Driving arrangements are ruined by Mr. Beebe unexpectedly doubling the party size. Lucy rides with Miss Lavish and Sr. Emerson. Plans for tea are ruined because of the type of company with them (shoddy lady writer and murderer). Lucy avoids George, who wishes to continue their intimacy. Lucy doesn’t know what to think about their shared experience and emotional bonding afterward. Eager says he feels bad for tourists who are tossed about Italy and don’t get to truly experience or understand it. Could be a metaphor for life: coming and going without knowing what they’re doing and just pushing through. Only two bickering people seem to be enjoying themselves and when a driver finally kisses the girl beside him, they are shamed and told to dismount. Mr. Emerson defends the couple’s love, saying that happiness is rare and shouldn’t be hindered when found, and Lucy internally agrees. They’re defeated and the couple split up. Eager deems it a victory, but Emerson protests, commanding support from George and Lucy. Emerson recites “don’t war with the May”, meaning they admire the beauty of spring around them but condemn blooming love and happiness in man, yet the two are the same. He is not well-received, and they stop to stroll. They resentingly keep together until decided to split: the ladies together, the Emersons with the Italian drivers and the clergymen together. Miss Lavish speaks ill of the Emersons and Lucy comments that they wouldn’t care about her gossip if they heard. Both ladies seek to remove Lucy from the group saying she should be with Eager. Lucy is stubborn, and feels most at ease about those she is indifferent about. Lucy wishes she was in Rome. They stop to sit and Charlotte insists Lucy sits on the blanket, despite Charlotte getting wet and muddy and having a cough. She acts like a martyr. Lucy, uncomfortable with the situation leaves for the clergymen. She asks a driver where they are and he escorts her, picking her violets along the way. For the first time she feels the influence of spring, invigorated by the landscape and nature around her. The earth gives way and she falls into an open terrace covered in violets. George, the perfect man by the water, sees her full of life, surrounded by the flowers dancing around her white dress, looking like she fell from heaven. He rises and kisses her, but they are soon interrupted by Charlotte.

Chapter 7: The picnic is a disaster. The party eventually find their way back together, but George is missing and the driver insists they leave him behind. Charlotte insists Eagre knows nothing about the kiss but pays off the driver who say it all. Mr. Emerson stops the carriages due to worry for his son. They realize if they hadn’t stopped the storm may have caused them damage, and they become genial towards each other for a period of time. Lucy confesses to Charlotte, who calms

her when she starts to worry for George’s safety. Lucy is on edge about the incident and refuses to play piano, seeing it as a childish whim. Charlotte asks Lucy what should be done, which throws Lucy off. Charlotte wants to make sure George doesn’t gossip, but Lucy doesn’t think he will. Charlotte insists that she is too kind and that he must have done this before because he is unrefined and unpredictable. She says Lucy is naive about men and insists she, not Lucy, speak to George about it. They begin packing to leave for Rome in the morning. Lucy is overcome with the need to love and be loved. She embraces Charlotte, who goes on a martyred rant about being old, having expectations for how a lady should act, and not giving Lucy what she needs. Lucy sees how Charlotte encompasses a cheerless, loveless world where youth rush to destruction until they learn better -- precautions and barriers avert evil but don’t bring good. Lucy hears George come in but before she can speak to him, Charlotte calls him in to reprimand him and send him on his way. Lucy knows her chaperone has done her duty and cries out her confusion and passion. Charlotte raps on the wall and tells her to go to bed. They leave for Rome early in the morning.

Chapter 8: Mrs. Honeychurch spies on Lucy and Cecil as he proposes while she writes a letter to Cecil’s mother. She is proud of the match but thinks Cecil unconventional. Freddy is reading and indifferent to the situation and his mother. He thinks Lucy mustn’t have told Cecil “no” well enough if he’s proposing well enough. Freddy doesn’t like Cecil and reflects that Mr. Beebe thinks he’s an ideal bachelor but better detached. Mrs. Honeychurch refutes and lists his attributes: rich, well connected, well-mannered, and clever. Freddy still distrusts Cecil but dismisses his feelings as jealousy. Mrs. Honeychurch says that young people should decide for themselves whom to marry but believes Cecil to be a smart match. Cecil enters, tearing back the curtains in annoyance. He announces that Lucy has accepted him. Mother is delighted, brother unhappy, Lucy pleasant but indifferent. Lucy strolls with her family to recap the account, and Cecil steals away for a smoke and to write his mother. He recounts how he’d always been impartial to Lucy until she arrived unexpectedly in Rome, changed by the world and carrying a mysteriousness about her. This interests him and he proposes two times in Rome, neither time feeling rejected. He is proud and determined, though it seems he doesn’t really love her. He thinks Lucy is different from her distinguished family and decided to get her into more congenial circles ASAP. Mr. Beebe arrives unexpectedly gossiping about the neighbours. Cecil is pleased that Beebe approves of him not having a profession. Beebe shares his theory that Lucy plays music well and lives poorly, but that one day the tight compartments that hold her back inside will break

down, her life and music will converge, and she will become great, heroic, though neither good nor bad. He says that Lucy is a kite and Charlotte the string holding her back. Cecil’s like for the man changes based on what Beebe says and how much he likes it. Cecil announces his engagement to Lucy and Mr. Beebe hides his disapproval poorly. The family returns and he blesses the couple and merriment ensues for the rest of the evening, playfulling calling Cecil Lucy’s Fiasco instead of fiance. Cecil and Lucy do not feel the true joy they are expected to have at their impending union.

Chapter 9: Lucy, Cecil and Mrs. Honeychurch attend a garden party where they are repeatedly congratulated. Coffee spills on Lucy and Mrs. Honeychurch insists they tend to it. Cecil is left to the company of old dowagers and becomes less pleasant. On the ride home, Cecil expresses his extreme distaste for the whole event and is upset about everyone congratulating them and thinks they should keep it private. Lucy naively agrees and sympathizes with Cecil who is being selfish and rude. They discuss whether fences put up by others are the same as fences put up by selves. Lucy exclaims passionately her hate for Mr. Eager and goes on a moral rant about his character. Mrs. Honeychurch seeks to silence her but Cecil is intrigued. Her passion mars beauty but shoes vitality and mystery. He becomes cross when no one responds to him and thinks Lucy is ruining a lovely August day by being cross. They come across Summer Street and discuss with the landlord who should rent the vacant house. Cecil is malicious towards him and possible types of tenants but Lucy suggests the Allan sisters, who Mrs. Honeychurch despises and says are a sad sort that make the place smell. Lucy defends them, but won’t be heard. Mrs. Honeychurch goes to inspect the house while Lucy and Cecil walk home. Cecil is hostile towards the landlord and whole encounter. Lucy begins to fear that those she loves will not be acceptable to Cecil as she notices his more frequent irritability and condescension of others. They walk and discuss how Lucy always associates him with being in a room. Cecil takes offence and wishes to be associated with the open outdoors. When Lucy asks for clarification, Cecil refuses to answer and Lucy thinks it must be something too intelligent for a woman to understand. Upon reaching a small pond, Lucy looks lovely and Cecil realizes they’ve never kissed. He does, but it is passionless and a failed embrace. Her response is businesslike and inadequate. He wishes to know her deepest thoughts and she shares the real name of the accused wife murderer as Emerson. He doesn’t understand the significance of this.

Chapter 10:

Lucy is below Cecil’s class but is from a well-respected family. Her father built the house, fell in love in it and moved in with a neutral wife. The neighbourhood grew with higher society that accepted Mrs. Honeychurch. Lucy comes from the best society but doesn’t like her society, their aversions, turned up noses, lack of radicalism and adventure. Italy changed Lucy to find herself, her soul, and a desire for passion and equality outside her own society fences. Cecil only found a quickening irritability. Freddy announces the Emersons are moving in down the road and that they are friends of Cecil. Lucy is incredulous and Mr. Beebe briefly describes the Emersons from Italy in connection to violets, but no one thinks they can be the same. Beebe notices Lucy’s redness and further diverts the conversation. Lucy leaves to find Cecil to calm her and finds out it was his intervention that undid the Allens ...