A Room With A View Analysis

E.M. Forster 's A Room with a View tells the story of Lucy Honeychurch 's excursion to Italy with her older, unmarried, less wealthy cousin, Charlotte Bartlett. Lucy’s time in Italy proved the notion that Italy can have great affects on anyone. While in Italy, Lucy met a distinctive group of people who were also residing at the Pension Bertolini. The group included clergy members, a writer, and some who just loved to travel the world. They were of various social statuses, temperament and political views. Most of the members of the group were older than Lucy and offered worldly, insightful, wisdom. The pension guests opened Lucy’s eyes, heart and mind to diversity in people, perspectives and opinions. Lucy 's exposure to thoughts and

Lucy 's outlook on life was forever changed by her experiences in the pension. (move to conclusion?)

In the beginning of Lucy’s trip she was fixated on the Baedeker guidebook that she had for Italy. The book was a symbol of Lucy’s need for rules. It was her excuse for not making decisions on her own. Using the book meant she didn’t have to take steps to explore Italy freely and creatively. The Beadeker provided all the places to go, things to see and how to get there. Without the book she would be lost. This is exactly what happened when Ms. Lavish disappeared with the guidebook. Not having the book placed Lucy in panic mood. She didn’t know what to do or where to go. But “Then the pernicious charm of Italy worked on her, and, instead of acquiring information, she began to be happy.” (Forster 23). She calmed down and started taking in her surroundings, noticing the tourists and reading the notices. This development in Lucy’s behavior is not surprising; after all she did have a creative side which came out

Stepping away from her feelings for George allowed Lucy to see that marrying Cecil was not the right thing for her to do. She realized that “She must be one of the women whom she had praised so eloquently, who care for liberty and not for men; she must forget that George loved her, that George had been thinking through her and gained her this honourable release,...” (Forster 201). Although Lucy freed herself from Cecil she needed the insight of her friends from the pension to help her move forward with George. Mr. Beebe said to Lucy “If you’ll let me say so, I am very glad, and I am certain that you have done the right thing.” (Forster 208). Recognizing that Mr. Beebe would not judge her she opened up and explained that Cecil “ I found that he wouldn’t let me go my own way. He would improve me where I can’t be improved. Cecil won’t let a woman decide for herself – in fact he daren’t.” (Forster 211). Through this statement Lucy acknowledged that she values her right to make decisions about her life and who she will love and marry (or not marry). By breaking up with Cecil she regained the independent spirit that blossomed in Italy. However, with the individual spirit came stubbornness. Lucy refused to admit that she was still in love with George but once again Mr. Emerson’s qualities of honesty and truthfulness and speaking his mind set Lucy on the right track. She tried to deny that Mr.