A Room with a View

E.M. Forster lived in a period of time where change was all around him. Through his novels, he attempted to call attention to the changes he really wished to see. At the time, social class played a big role in how people understood life. People married within their class and did not go against their elders. Forster emphasized this through Lucy Honeychurch, who goes along with what her cousin and mother tell her, and does not question too much. She obeys the rules and does not speak out of turn. The importance of social class is also a major reason as to why Lucy agrees to marry Cecil instead of following her confusing, yet real, feelings for George. However, the point of Forster’s writing is not to discuss the way things are, but to change them. E.M. Forster used his novel, A Room with a View, to challenge the importance of social class by showing extreme contrast with several characters, as well as using setting to help form Lucy’s transformation.
Foil is generally used by authors to help emphasize a point, and Forster used this to his full advantage. The most glaringly obvious contrast in character fell between Mr. Emerson and George, compared to Cecil and Charlotte. Mr. Emerson and his son were very accepting. He let people live how he or she wanted, but always made sure that he offered his helping hand anytime he could. However, he lacked proper manners, which caused people to think he was not good enough. Most people rolled their eyes at him, or just ignored him. However, the Emersons are probably the only people who would offer their rooms to a couple of strangers. Cecil and Charlotte, on the other hand, are the exact opposite. Charlotte snobbishly refuses Mr. Emerson’s offer because of the way he is dressed. Furthermore,...

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...s that it is not social class, but rather how a person treats a situation that brings worth. By making the Emersons happy, while characters like Charlotte and Cecil constantly stiff, Forster was able to capture the importance social class plays on lives, and how it can have a negative impact. Lucy’s transformation from someone who is reserved and restricted to someone who is open and passionate highlighted the need to be liberated from the pressures of society. Although Forster ended his novel implying that London was not yet ready for this change, he also brought a call to action, saying that it was about time London became ready. Social structure has restricted people from following their heart. By allowing Lucy freedom, Forster hoped that his novel would allow others to follow their hearts as well, and break free from the constraints that come with social class.