M Forster's "A Room with a View" is about a love affair between Miss Lucy Honeychurch and Mr. Emerson, played an integral role in bringing together George and Lucy. The events in the novel, particularly the times when Mr. Emerson was present, help Lucy to realize what she really wants for herself and not just what society expects from her. The relationship between George and Lucy is wrong for several reasons. They are from two different social classes, and Lucy is engaged to Mr. Cecil Vyse. Mr. Emerson tells Lucy that she is in love with George. She is shocked by this, as any young girl of her class should be, yet deep down she knows him to be right. Mr. Emerson helped Lucy to realize the truth about the way she feels for George.
Mr. Emerson is a modern and idealistic person. His open and honest demeanour shows that he has little use for the trivialities of society. He believes one should speak their mind and that if you want something there is nothing wrong with asking for it. During the opening chapter, Mr. Emerson hears that Lucy and Charlotte are upset that their room does not have a view of the Arno. Mr. Emerson offers his room to the ladies for they are men and are in no need of a view. The other guests present are offended by the outspoken nature of this man. Lucy's companion, Charlotte, feels that it is wrong to take an offer from a man of a different social class. Lucy, however, does not see a problem with switching rooms. This is the first time that Lucy has met the Emerson's and she is not quite sure how she feels about them. They are definitely from a lower class but Lucy is beginning to see that does not necessarily mean that they are worse people for it; "About old Mr. Emerson - I hardly know. No, he is not tactful; yet, have you ever noticed that there are people who do things which are most indelicate, and yet at the same time - beautiful?" (31). The mannerisms of Mr. Emerson are opening her eyes to a new world that is not defined by the constraints of society.
