Themes (AQA A-Level English Literature A): Revision Notes

Themes

E.M. Forster's novel explores several interconnected themes that reflect the social changes occurring in early 20th-century England. As society transitioned from the rigid Victorian era to the more liberal Edwardian period, questions about class, gender, and authenticity became increasingly important. Forster uses his characters to represent different positions in these debates, with Lucy Honeychurch caught in the middle of these shifting values.

Social class

Forster portrays social class divisions and their impact on relationships to highlight the changing attitudes in Edwardian society. The novel contrasts outdated Victorian ideas about social propriety with the emerging liberal philosophy of the time, which valued personal freedom and individual thinking over blindly following social conventions.

Competing perspectives on class

The characters in the novel represent different viewpoints on class divisions. Cecil Vyse, Charlotte Bartlett, the Miss Alans, Mr. Eager, and Mrs. Honeychurch all cling to traditional Victorian values. They believe the classes should remain separate and that social status determines a person's worth. In contrast, Mr. Emerson and his son George represent more modern, progressive thinking. They judge people based on character and values rather than wealth or social connections.

Lucy Honeychurch finds herself positioned between these two worldviews. Though raised to follow Victorian ideals, she yearns for personal freedom, authentic self-expression, and genuine love. Her romantic choices reflect this tension: marrying Cecil would secure her social status through his wealth and connections, whilst choosing George would offer a life filled with passion and authenticity. The people Lucy trusts most push her towards Cecil, yet her instincts draw her towards George.

Forster's satirical approach

Forster employs satire and vivid descriptions to expose the attitudes of different classes. He satirises the snobbish behaviour of English tourists abroad through the character of Miss Lavish.

Lucy's experience with common people differs markedly from Miss Lavish's snobbery. In Part 1, Chapter 6, as the carriage driver leads Lucy through the Italian countryside, she observes that 'in the company of this common man, the world was beautiful and direct'. By allowing herself to see the world through different eyes, Lucy realises that life can be simple and beautiful when she abandons the expectations of class and rank. This contrast helps readers understand the varying attitudes towards social class in the novel.

Women's roles

The roles and expectations for women were changing rapidly during the period when Forster wrote A Room with a View. Traditional Victorian views portrayed women as weak, less intelligent than men, and delicate creatures requiring protection from life's harshness.

Traditional views of femininity

Cecil Vyse exemplifies these outdated attitudes. He views Lucy Honeychurch as a perfect work of art rather than as an individual with human flaws and desires. When Lucy expresses that she 'hates' Mr. Beebe in Part 2, Chapter 9, Cecil finds her outburst distasteful.

Later, during the incident at the pond in Part 2, Chapter 12, a horrified Cecil immediately herds Lucy and Mrs. Honeychurch away from the naked bathers. Forster notes that Cecil 'always felt that he must lead women, though he knew not whither, and protect them, though he knew not against what'. This protective instinct stems from viewing women as fragile beings unable to handle reality.

Mrs. Honeychurch also embraces traditional women's roles. She disdains Miss Lavish for her independence and bohemian lifestyle in Part 2, Chapter 13. In her opinion, women should be 'minding their houses and their children' rather than pursuing literature, which she considers a pursuit best left to men.

Progressive alternatives

Lucy must break free from this restrictive social mould and define her own role as a woman. The Emersons provide her with an alternative model and encourage her independence.

When Lucy turns down Mr. Emerson's offer to guide her through Santa Croce in Part 1, Chapter 2, he gently challenges her conformity: 'I think you are repeating what you have heard older people say. You are pretending to be touchy, but you are not really. Stop being so tiresome, and tell me instead what part of the church you want to see'. Mr. Emerson recognises when Lucy parrots social conventions rather than expressing her genuine thoughts.

George offers Lucy an entirely different type of relationship. In Part 2, Chapter 16, he tells her, 'Every moment of his life he's forming you, telling you what's charming or amusing or ladylike, telling you what a man thinks womanly, and you, you of all women, listen to his voice instead of your own'. George's critique of Cecil reveals that he understands women should have their own thoughts and voices. He promises Lucy, 'I want you to have your own thoughts even when I hold you in my arms'. With George, Lucy can experience both love and intellectual freedom, neither of which will be available if she marries Cecil and accepts traditional women's roles.

Truth versus pretense

The tension between speaking truthfully and maintaining pretense forms a central theme in A Room with a View. In a society where conforming to social norms is traditional and expected, telling the truth can be difficult and socially unacceptable.

The difficulty of truth-telling

Mr. Beebe plainly articulates this challenge in Part 1, Chapter 1, when he admits, 'it is so difficult—at least, I find it difficult—to understand people who speak the truth'. He refers to Mr. Emerson's tactless offer to exchange rooms with Lucy Honeychurch and Charlotte Bartlett. Although Mr. Emerson speaks truthfully from the heart and means well, his actions are perceived as inappropriate. The truth matters less than socially acceptable behaviour, which largely consists of pretense.

Lucy's internal struggle

Lucy experiences an intense internal conflict between wanting to know and tell the truth and wanting to hide from it.

This moment marks a turning point where Lucy chooses social acceptability over honesty, setting up her later crisis of conscience.

The consequences of honesty

The lies accumulate as the story progresses. Lucy pretends that the Emersons mean nothing to her family and Cecil. Cecil deceives Sir Harry Otway by pretending that the Emersons are his friends. Lucy derides Mr. Cuthbert Eager for his insincerity in Part 2, Chapter 9, yet she cannot see her own hypocrisy; she is frequently insincere herself.