Your next assignment is in two parts:
1. Read the first half(ish) of Part II of the novel -- Chapters VIII through XIV (pages 67-120). As you're reading, please continue underlining, highlighting, and writing notes and questions in the margins. As you've undoubtedly discovered, it makes the process of going back to look for stuff to post much easier, and leads to better, more in-depth and detailed postings as well!
2. So, here's some questions, by chapter. Choose FOUR to answer in a paragraph of 3-5 sentences each. These shouldn't be essay answers, but they're not short answers, either. Please provide specific page # and textual references whenever possible and necessary.
DEADLINE: You'll need to have the questions answered by the beginning of class on Wednesday, November 5th.
Ch. VIII -- "Mediaeval"
1. Explain the significance of the title. (Hint: see the bottom of page 31 and the top of page 71).
2. Assuming that Cecil's reference to Lucy as "like a woman of Leonardo da Vinci's" refers to the Mona Lisa... what the heck does it/he mean? (Paragraph on 72 that begins "He had known Lucy for several years...")
Ch. IX -- Lucy as a Work of Art"
3. Again, explain the significance of the title.
4. Look back at page 86 -- Lucy and Cecil talk about the taking the "road" vs. walking through the woods. Then, Cecil says "Why is it, Lucy, that you always say the road? Do you know that you have never once been with me in the fields or the wood since we were engaged?" Later, Lucy says of/to Cecil "When I think of you, it's always as in a room. How funny!" What do you make of this?
5. Analyze the kiss between Cecil and Lucy (bottom 87, top 88), and compare/contrast it to the kiss with George (page 55). Ch. X -- "Cecil As a Humorist."
6. Regarding the title, how so? What does this mean?
7. Look at the paragraph at the top of page 90 that begins "But in Italy..." What do you make of this? What does it say about Lucy as a character, and a person?
Ch. XI -- "In Mrs. Vyse's Well-Appointed Flat"
8. Towards the middle of page 99, find the line that says, " 'Lucy is becoming wonderful -- wonderful.' " This is Mrs. Vyse speaking to her son. What does she mean by this? Note any irony in the statement/observation? Also note a few paragraphs down when Cecil describes his "formula" for an ideal children's education.
9. Read the last paragraph of the chapter, page 100. Note the style, structure and content of this paragraph, esp. in contrast to what we've seen elsewhere. What do you make of this?
Ch. XII -- "Twelfth Chapter"
10. Analyze the title of this chapter. KIDDING. What do you make of the scene where Freddy, George and Mr. Beebe have a "bathe" at the "Sacred Lake"? Notice especially that they are stumbled upon my Lucy and Mrs. Honeychurch, led by Cecil.
11. In light of the "bathing" scene, what do you make of the last paragraph of the chapter, on page 108? How might the temporary change in the Sacred Lake serve as a symbol?
Ch. XIII -- "How Miss Bartlett's Boiler Was So Tiresome"
12. Take a look at the second paragraph on page 111, beginning with " 'We mustn't be unjust to people,' ". Explain and expand.
13. Take a look at the paragraph on page 113 that begins " 'She was a novelist'." What does this paragraph reveal about the story thus far, but also (perhaps) about A Room With A View itself. Do you take this as some sort of message from the author himself?
Ch. XIV -- "How Lucy Faced the External Situation Bravely"
14. Regarding the title, explain what you think is meant by the "external situation" of the title, and, by contrast, what you think the "internal" situation is that she faces, perhaps not-so-bravely?
15. Note well the last paragraph of the chapter, on page 120. Strange authorial voice here -- a direct address to the reader(s). What do you make of it? Explain and expand.
1.Chapter VIII is presented as “Mediaeval,” when looking back to the bottom of page 31, you see that the author describes Lucy by saying “Lucy does not stand for the medieval lady” and on the top of page 71 the author also describes Cecil and says “ He was mediaeval.” From this exact moment we should be realizing that this relationship between Lucy and Cecil is doomed, and that they are opposites and their engagement wont last.
ReplyDelete5. Like question 1, the descriptions of Lucy’s kisses puts into doubt Lucy and Cecil’s relationship. In Rome, George and Lucy are in a land presented as paradise. Violets are everywhere and there is a beautiful aroma and breathtaking view. George takes the moment and sweeps Lucy off her feet to kiss her in a feeling off passion. Cecil on the other hand is shown in the woods next to a puddle, and asks Lucy if it is alright for him to kiss her. Does kiss her, and ends up regretting his action and wishing he had done it a different way.
9. The last chapter on page 100 is made up of all short and choppy sentences describing what is going on. It shows Cecil’s mother kissing Lucy after a bad dream and Cecil not hearing. This is very different to the sentences that describe Lucy and George after Lucy witnesses the murder in Rome. I believe these opposite comparisons are trying to show us how much Cecil does not understand Lucy, while George is helping Lucy to see herself, society, and basically the world in a different way.
14. In Chapter XIV, the title is “How Lucy faced the External Situation Bravely”. In this instance I believe that the external situation is that Lucy hasn’t told her mother or Cecil that she shared a kiss with George. Also with Miss Bartlett around, who is the only other person who knows of this kiss, things are getting crazy for Lucy. What I think is the internal situation is that Lucy will begin to realize that she doesn’t love Cecil and is in love with George.
4. Perhaps Lucy would rather take the road rather than the woods because of not wanting to be adventurous with Cecil. I think it’s funny how she is abrupt about it and it makes me think that she would much rather be with Emerson than someone like Cecil who is more proper and fancy. When she says, “When I think of you, it’s always as in a room,” this also makes me laugh. Similar to the road, Lucy seems to associate Cecil with much more higher-class actions, rather than going through the woods.
ReplyDelete5.When George and Lucy kissed, it seemed more of a romantic kiss that was a spur of the moment event. It appeared as if they had feelings towards each other and that it was almost a fairy tale. “He saw radiant joy in her face, he saw the flowers beat against her dress in blue waves. The bushes above them closed. He stepped forward and kissed her.” However, when Cecil and Lucy kissed, Cecil asked permission to kiss her, which made it a more awkward experience for them both.” As he approached her he found time to wish that he could recoil.” That would just be a weird moment and something that most would never want to encounter.
10. I thought it was extremely coincidental how Cecil abruptly broke up the bathe seen with Freddy, George and Mr. Beebe. They were brought together in this water and Lucy’s family finally got to be with George and enjoy themselves. However, Cecil just happened to break up this good time they had to steer them away from the possible enjoyment they could have had, even though they were from different “cliques.”
11. After reading the last paragraph, it served to me as almost only a temporary, imaginative place. When they all bathed, it represented the coming together of three different people. It’s as if they should be segregated from each other, however when they entered the water they were free to be with each other and talk and do as they pleased. When they got out, it was like stepping back into life and they were back to the normal separate people whom they were raised to be.
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ReplyDelete5.) The kiss between Lucy and Cecil was planned out as compared to George and Lucy where it happened spontaneously. On page 87, Cecil says “Up to now I have never kissed you.” Than after few exchanges he says “Than I ask you – may I now?” Cecil points out that they have not yet touched lips since their engagement and soon realizes that he should have kissed her instead of asking her premission. George on the other hand just walked up to Lucy and kissed her, making Lucy and George kiss more meaningful because there was love between them.
ReplyDelete7.) In Italy they aren't concerned what social class you come from and everyone is treated equally. By realizing this, Lucy in person doesn't care wheter someone is from a different social class or not. She is more open to different people as compared to her family and realtives.
10.) The scene involving Freddy, George, and Mr. Beebe was very awkward because three grown man were bathing together without feeling unsecured. I still don’t get why all three of them decided to have a bathe at the same time espicallly in a lake that is sacred. It was very funny how they all try to hide when Lucy, Mrs. Honeychurch, and Cecil arrive. Freddy and Mr. Beebe manage to hide but George is there half naked in front of Lucy which was probably uncomfortable for both.
11.) The sacred lake is a sysmbol becuase eventually the Emersons and the neighborhood will become as one. In the future, they will laugh and play each other. Lucy, Mrs. Honeychurch, and Cecil reprsent the people out there that won't be happy when the Emersons get along with the neighborhood and will try to stop them from enjoying their life. Eventually the higher class won't look down on the Emersons as unworthy of their attention.
4.I think that Lucy doesn’t fully understand what type of person Cecil is. Cecil considers himself an outdoorsy and nature-loving person. Lucy only sees him as the high-society style person who enjoys tea in a room better than a picnic in a field. It seems to me that a relationship cannot exist if the people in the relationship don’t even know some of the most important qualities of the other. Can there really be love if the people don’t know every little quality of the other? I think that this is a symbol that Cecil and Lucy are bound to fail.
ReplyDelete7. When Lucy is away from at least most of her family, she seems to allow herself to be the person that she wants to be. She has grown up in a way that if somebody is of lower class, you do not associate with them. I think she wants to get away from this society rule, but it seems impossible to her because of her love for her family; she doesn’t want to disappoint them. She is stuck between living the life of the upper class and living the life in the view of a lower class member. In Italy, when she is away from her family, it seems okay for Lucy to associate with people of all classes. In England, it doesn’t seem possible to her. She is more happy and thoughtful when she gets to view the world from all perspectives. However, this also shows that Lucy is weak. She is too afraid to be her own person and to live the way that she and only she wants to live. She shows that she has the capability to live any style of life, but doesn’t have the will to make sure she gets to decide which one she wants.
9. The paragraph ends the chapter with short sentences and actually tells what the characters are doing at that moment. Usually the sentences are long and include a lot of information that is not always easy to decipher, whereas these sentences are short and right to the point. Also, for the first time, the chapter actually digresses into an end of setting, end of scene, end of chapter sort of style. This, along with the ending “Darkness enveloped the flat,” suggests a change in the story, possibly a change in the happiness of the relationship between Cecil and Lucy.
Ch. VIII 1. On page 31, Lucy's rebellious side is described. She is unlike the conservative, old-fashioned women. On page 71 however, Cecil is described as Mediaeval and like a gothic statue. I believe this chapter shows that by marrying Cecil, Lucy will have to be constricted to a life she doesn't want that will conflict with her true personality. Although her family and friends approve of Cecil, he isn't who Lucy would really benefit being around.
ReplyDelete2. Cecil describes Lucy as a woman of da Vinci's because like his Mona Lisa, Lucy is more interesting due to the mystery. Many people have questioned what the Mona Lisa is smiling about as well as who exactly she is. Because Lucy is trapped in a society where it is considered improper or rude to show what one is truly thinking or feeling, she attracts people towards her to figure her out. As Mr. Emerson and Mr. Beebe pointed out earlier in the novel. she could lead a happy life if she would just "let go."
Ch. IX 4. I think Lucy always takes the road because she is sheltered and the road is well worn and safe. She possibly isn't tempted to show her true feelings because the road is more public and she feels she has to be polite. The "road" could be like her security blanket, because it is so well-travelled, she knows what to say and how to act. She associates Cecil with a room because a room has walls, it is safe, sturdy, and predictable. This is seen in the description of Cecil on page 71. He is rich and strong meaning he can provide easily for Lucy, making her life easy and predictable. The reason Lucy doesn't associate Cecil with something in nature is because George Emerson is who Lucy sees when she thinks of the woods.
Ch. XI 9. Unlike other paragraphs in the story, the last paragraph of chaper 11 is short. It lacks the detail present in the other descriptions and ends with a very concise sentence perhaps showing that Lucy is unhappy with her current surroundings and that her personality and potential are already being constricted by the impending marriage to Cecil.
5. Analyze the kiss between Cecil and Lucy (bottom 87, top 88), and compare/contrast it to the kiss with George (page 55).
ReplyDelete-After reading the section where Cecil asks Lucy if he can kiss her, it is obvious that it was quite awkward. At the bottom of page 87 Forster explains Cecil’s thoughts throughout the event, “She gave such a business-like lift of her veil. As he approached her he found time to wish that he could recoil.” These few sentences reveal a side of Cecil where he is uncertain if he had made the right choice to ask Lucy to marry him and if she actually loves him. Looking back to the kiss between Lucy and George on page 55, it seems pretty clear that it is quite the opposite. Forster describes the look on Lucy’s face a “radiant joy,” which explains that she might have enjoyed it.
7. Look at the paragraph at the top of page 90 that begins "But in Italy..." What do you make of this? What does it say about Lucy as a character, and a person?
-I think the paragraph at the top of page 90 describes a big difference between the cultures Italy and England. In England the difference between the upper and lower class in society is much greater, and I think Lucy is beginning to realize how ridiculous her mother and cousin and everyone else that acts the way are. This shows that Lucy is becoming a round character and is changing her outlook and thoughts on life from the uptight views England and her mother to the kinder and friendlier views of Italy and the Emerson’s.
8. Towards the middle of page 99, find the line that says, " 'Lucy is becoming wonderful -- wonderful.' " This is Mrs. Vyse speaking to her son. What does she mean by this? Note any irony in the statement/observation? Also note a few paragraphs down when Cecil describes his "formula" for an ideal children's education.
-I think Mrs. Vyse means that Lucy is becoming more and more like her and all of the other high-class citizens of England, when she says that Lucy is becoming wonderful. The irony of the conversation is that Mrs. Vyse and Cecil believe that it was Lucy’s trip to Italy that had changed her and made her more “wonderful”, but really the trip has made Lucy question the ideals that the Vyses seem to think of as wonderful. And about Cecil’s formula for his children, I think it is funny that he is referring to raising his children just as if he was baking a pie or cooking something.
10. Analyze the title of this chapter. KIDDING. What do you make of the scene where Freddy, George and Mr. Beebe have a "bathe" at the "Sacred Lake"? Notice especially that they are stumbled upon my Lucy and Mrs. Honeychurch, led by Cecil.
-I thought this scene was a bit ironic. All of the characters are supposed to be the upper class citizens of England yet they are bathing in a pond. And then after the “bathers” are discovered, George, says hello to Lucy and even though the whole situation was a bit informal, Lucy stills is worried about her manors and bows.
11. I think the temporary change in the lake served the point that all classes can get along if they would ignore the "rules" of society. The pool brought out the youth in the three men,and showed that all men are naturally alike. In nature, all people are meant to be the same. The three men all come from a different class; George being in the lower, Freddy being in the upper, and Mr. Beebe as a middle man. In society, they have their boundaries. But in nature, which this pool of water symbolizes, all of them are the same and they can get along with eachother.
ReplyDelete5.) This kiss between George and Lucy compared to the kiss between Cecil and Lucy are very different. The kiss that George and Lucy share is described as a much more passionate and ”spur of the moment” type occurrence, Were as the kiss between Cecil and Lucy seems almost childish and meaningless, especially due to the fact that Cecil asks Lucy’s permission to kiss her to which he later regrets.
ReplyDelete6.) Cecil is portrayed here as a Humorist due to the fact that this is the first occurrence in the book we see Cecil defying the over-structural society that is the upper class, at least in a way. He invites the Emersons to spite Sir Harry, and in doing so performs an ungentlemanly act, and Cecil, as a gentlemen, expresses his humorous side, or defiant side.