In A Room With A View, the story is set in 2 different distinct geographical settings. Is there any connotative meaning to this technique of introducing two contrasting places as the setting for the story?
The word view is mentioned several times in this novel. The novel begins by immediately introducing the word view to the readers. In the first page, the second line, Charlotte complained about the room they were given when Lucy and she arrived at the Pension Bertolini, " She promised us south rooms with a view close together, instead of which here are north rooms, looking into courtyard, and a long way apart." The word view is also found in the final chapter. George carried Lucy to the window, "so that she, too, saw all the view"( 3rd last page). Why do you think Forster used the word view several times in this novel?
A Room with A View is set in two different setting. One is in Italy and another one is in England. In this novel, Forster portrayed Italy as a place of liveliness where exciting things happens and the impossible too. Even during her first few days there, Lucy has experienced a murder and got her first kiss! The energy that the city sparks is far way more vibrant than the life Lucy has lead in England. Lucy’s hometown, England is shown as somewhat homely and nice, but not as adventurous as Italy. England is a place where everything was mundane for Lucy. When she got back home, the city was gloomy since everyone was away. Lucy decides that it was impossible for her to go back to her old life after she has experience the vibrant city on the other side of the world
ReplyDeleteThe novel shows his support for the new, liberal social behaviors of the Edwardian age, in contrast to the more sober ideals prevalent during Queen Victoria's reign.
ReplyDeleteit compares Italy and England at that time and showed that Many British people at the time who wanted to get away from the restrictions of English society were inspired by Italy. The England that Forster reveals to us is pleasant and homey, but certainly not as thrilling as Italy. in this novel, Lucy goes against what is socially expected of her, in the end living with a man she loves as he belongs to lower class and she breaks the social class that people are classified in to 3 groups: working class, middle class and upper class. however, in this novel Lucy's social standing is not clear but it is possible to assume that she belongs to the upper-middle class based on her relationship with the Honey church family and moreover she doesn't work in order to support herself.
I think there is connotative meaning to the use of word “view” several times. The novel begins with introducing the word “view” and we can also find the word “view” is being used in final chapter. In my opinion, the author wants to convey and emphasize the change of emotional state and thinking of the main character through the views of two different settings. The author reveals that travel is a powerful force that could alter one’s life experience and reinforces that change of view (scene/ scenery) could change the views (opinions/ ways of thinking) of people. When Lucy is in Italy, she would recall her life back at Windy Corner. It changes Lucy’s perspectives of herself. Italy portrays a place where anything could happen for Lucy such as wandering at the street alone, witnessing murder and receiving first kiss. While England is pleasant and homey but it is not as exciting as one could feel in Italy. So, a contrast of two different settings could alter one’s life experience and cause changes in one’s thinking, vision and perspectives
ReplyDeleteSince Forster wrote this novel during the Edwardian period, we see how it reflects the changes in morality from one era to another (Victorian). During the Edwardian period, most men were allowed to vote and women were still in the battle to demand their rights. The historical value is important in this novel because we see that the society in England is beginning to come out of the suppressed living and conservative mentality of the Victorian period. The way Miss Lavish portrays herself in this novel is the opposite of what a typical old fashioned Victorian ladies may represent (Miss Allan). During the period of Victorian society, women are still living in the entrapment of men. Lucy broke this “tradition” by running away with George – a guy whom she loves.
ReplyDeleteI think that introducing a story in 2 different area had a connotative meaning.one was Italy and the other one was England. These two places have two different kinds of people and living style. Italy was such a free, happy and alive country but in England It was completely different.people in England were strict, old-fashioned, with special ideas.
ReplyDeleteThe reason that author repeat the word view several times in the first and last chapter was that he wanted to emphasize the difference view of the character, lucy, when she was in Italy and England.As she traveled to Italy, her view changed completely and she became such an independent woman and faced new and liberal thoughts unlike the ones that she had in her hometown and encountered things(kiss) that in her culture was something improper and unknown.
So she experienced things that she did not even have ideas about them.
In this novel 'view' refers to the way they look at life in different society backgrounds. Lucy's idea about life has changed when she found out how different Italy is from her country. she experienced new things like the first kiss or murder in the piazza that opened her eyes to a world beyond her protected, sheltered life style. As a result she did not even want to return to her country because of the experiences she gained abroad make it impossible for her to simply return to her peaceful old life at home.
ReplyDeleteForster used the word “view” several times in this novel because he wants us to see life. The word view is indicated with life in general that also connects with ambitions and wishes we all have in life. In this novel, the word view is also connected with the characters. Lucy, George and Freddy are characters who are always related to the outdoors. They are more cheerful and have their own set of desires compared to those who live indoors and are not as adventurous. Cecil is a good example when he compared Lucy as the view and him as the room. In this novel, Cecil is portrayed as someone who is dull and not exciting, hence the association with the indoors he has been living in.
ReplyDeleteThe word “view” is also associated with things that happen. The view on the hill initiated the kiss George gave to Lucy (the very first time). When George kissed Lucy again the second time, it also happened outdoors. Maybe George should have declared his love to Lucy, outdoors and not indoor since she rejected his proposal. At the end of the novel, both of them were seen at the room with a view in the Bertolini – this shows that both of them have achieved the life they have always wanted and the view gave them the satisfaction of being together, despite them eloping.
The main themes of this novel include repressed sexuality, freedom from institutional religion, growing up and true love.
ReplyDeleteA Room with a View is Forster's most romantic and optimistic book. He utilizes many of his trademark techniques, including contrasts between "dynamic" and "static" characters. "Dynamic" characters are those whose ideas and inner-self develop or change in the plot, whereas "static" characters remain constant.
Forster differentiates between conservative and radical thinking, illustrated in part by his contrasts between Medieval (Mr. Beebe, Miss Bartlett, Cecil Vyse) and Renaissance characters (Lucy, the Emersons).
Lucy personifies the young and impressionable generation emerging during that era, during which women's suffrage would gain strong ground. Forster, manifesting his own hopes for society, ends the book with Lucy having chosen her own path—a free life with the man she loves. The novel could even be called a Bildungsroman, as it follows the development of the protagonist.
Given the times she lives in, Lucy's behavior does seem courageous. Her society has taught her that being a woman means accepting a status inferior to men. Charlotte has told her that women should help men to achieve, but should not achieve anyt hing themselves, and her mother has scoffed at the idea of women writing novels rather than tending to their homes and children. Both these women come from an older time, so their views represent the conservative norm of the day. The Emersons, who repre sent the new ideas of a more liberal generation, encourage Lucy's unconventionality. She would probably not receive the impetus she needs without these two men, so in a way, she is dependent upon them for her successes. However, as George tells her when he explains why she should not marry Cecil, he does not want to tell her what to do in order to attain mastery over her; rather, he wants to set her free for her own sake, so that she may daringly make her own decisions.
ReplyDeleteFor me, A Room with a View is social commentary, but Forster's depictions of people are ultimately generous. He gently mocks the Honeychurches for their bourgeois habits, but he does not shy from depicting their strengths. They are loving and sincere, generous with guests and with each other. Cecil's greatest fault is that he is entirely too critical of people. He cannot appreciate the good in the simple country gentry with whom Lucy has grown up. Even Charlotte, the prim spinster who is a major obstacle to the love between Lucy George, is allowed to have a moment of grace. In the end, Forster appreciates his characters' goodness much more than he mocks their faults.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, yes, there is a connotative opinion to use these 2 contrastive settings in this story. By using two different places of Italy and England the writer wanted to show us the different views which exist in different parts of the world that may make us to learn from these differences. How these differences in cultures, traditions, life styles and characters can impact a person’s life. Without seeing and knowing these differences we cannot be aware of them to make a right choice for our life.
ReplyDeleteI think in this story “a room with a view”, a room can refer to a person who live in a static settings, who does not aware of outside world which refers to the view. By wandering around a world and experiencing various views which exist in the world, then we can find ourselves. We can choose the right way better than before. When Lucy was in England, she was under the impact of the society during that time. She did not know that she can live in a way she desired, she did not know there are people or women who can make choices freely for their lives. She just lived in a place and all she knew was that she has to follow her society. Or we can consider her as a room without any view or window to the outside door. Once she went to the Italy, she experienced a new world which was totally from her interior one. She exposed to a new view in her life and realized the differences. She found out that she can live freely and make choices for herself. Her points of view toward life were getting change gradually and her mind was developed by seeing and experiencing new things. As a result, she decided to choose the life in which she can make her own choices. Finally she went back with Goerge, who was in a place where Lucy wanted to belong to. He was in the same way of thinking and living style as Lucy wished fo
Dear Lecturer,
ReplyDeleteI would like to thank you for this opportunity that allowed us to make comments freely at anytime and get benefits from other ideas as well.
I enjoyed the class and for sure never forget these days in Malaysia.
Niyosha,
Deleteperhaps I should have done this since our first meeting rather than slugging to tutorial 3 Block B every Saturday morning hem.......? I actually enjoy these exchanges as discussion in class sometimes hits the wall.
Pn Ju,
DeleteSeriously, I also enjoy having discussion here. You should have done this earlier!
Yap,
DeleteI know. I wanted to do this since the beginning but only now I have time to ruminate.
i think it is a brilliant idea to use contrastive setting to bring out and manage the themes of the novel. We can grab ideas about the society, cultures and living styles of two different settings more easily through comparisons. It reveals to us that every city has its own smell! The historical period is also one of the important elements of the setting. It shows us the qualities of the English society that emerge out of settled structure.
ReplyDeleteexactly that's what I've been think about. The contrastive settings. by making comparisons between 2 things or even among many things, then we can analysis the similarities and the difference, the attractive points and we can find out the best thing easily. this comparison can be among anything like the settings, cultures, societies and the traditions the same as in this story. and that's why Lucy can find her own right way of living. this view can refer to this comparison.
DeleteEach city DO has its OWN magic! I've been to both England and Italy, and Italy is just as how Forster has portray in the novel! It is truly where things happen (not that something that dramatic happened to me). It is very different from the people of England, even the weather and places in Italy spells adventure and a new life. The people in England are a bit more polished and westernized compared to Italians. And this makes the differences. You feel at home when you are in Italy – the people, their places, their food!! Their people are very much welcoming and you feel that you belong there because you can feel the sense of community and society in Italy.
DeleteI’m sure Lucy would have acknowledge George’s declaration of love if he would have done it in Venice (yes, the Bollywood in me is taking over). Venice itself is an AMAZING city. It’s a city that lives on water and it’s beautiful. It’s truly a place to fall in love. After all Italy is a place of the world’s most beautiful fountain – Trevi Fountain! And by comparing two places in this novel, it’s a great way to show the differences between cultures that are behold and practices which are considered a norm in one society but a total opposite in another society.
Dear all,
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Yap,
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