8 Room With A View - Guided Literature

In E.M. Forster's classic novel A Room with a View, the 'view' symbolises personal freedom and authentic living, while the 'room' represents the rigid social expectations of Edwardian society. This chapter marks the start of Part Two. The chapter features Lucy accepting Cecil's marriage proposal, Cecil's arrival at Windy Corner, and his snobbish views on society.

This is a stoic study on how to honour your higher self whilst remaining true to your inner virtue.

Music by Jean-Miles Carter

All rights reserved. This audio file contains a hidden watermark. Individual use only. Copyright Neworld Books.

Transcript

Welcome to sleep stories with Steph your go-to podcast. That offers you a calm and relaxing transition. Into a great night's sleep. It is time to relax and fully let go. There is nothing you need to be doing now. And know where you need to go. Close your eyes. And feel yourself sink into the support beneath you. And let all the worries of the day go. Drift away. This is your time. And your space. Take a deep breath in through your nose. And let it out with a long sigh. That's it! There is nothing you need to be doing now. And know where you need to go. Happy listening. Part 2 Chapter 8 Medieval. The drawing room curtains at Windy Corner had been pulled to meet, For the carpet was new and deserved protection from the August sun. They were heavy curtains reaching almost to the ground and the light that filtered through them was subdued and varied. A poet, None was present, Might have quoted life like a dome of a many-coloured glass, Or might have compared the curtains to sluice gates lowered against the intolerable tides of heaven. Without was poured a sea of radiance. Within the glory though visible was tempered to the capacities of man. Two pleasant people sat in the room. While the boy of 19 was studying a small manual of anatomy and peering occasionally at a bone which lay upon the piano. From time to time he bounced in his chair and puffed and groaned, For the day was hot and the prince small, And the human frame fearfully made. And his mother, Who was writing a letter, Did continually read out to him what she had written. And continually did she rise from her seat and piled the curtains so that a rivulet of light fell across the carpet and made the remark that they were still there. Where aren't they? " said the boy who was Freddie, Lucy's brother. I'll tell you I'm getting fairly sick. For goodness sake go out of my drawing room then! " cried Mrs Honeychurch, Who hoped to cure her children of slang by taking it literally. Freddy did not move or reply. I think things are coming to a head, She observed, Rather wanting her son's opinion on the situation if she could obtain it without undue supplication. Time they did. I'm glad Cecil is asking her this once more. It's his third go, Isn't it? Freddy, Aren't you cool the way you talk? I'm kind. I didn't mean to be unkind. Then Freddy added, But I don't think Lucy might have got this off her chest in Italy. I don't know how girls manage things but she can't have said no properly before or she wouldn't have to say it again now. Over the whole thing. I can't explain. I feel so uncomfortable. Do you indeed, Child? How interesting. I feel. Never mind, " said Freddy. And he returned to his work. Just listen to what I have written to Mrs Vize. I said, Dear Mrs Vize, Yes, Mother, You told me. A jolly good letter. I say. Continued his mother. Settle has just asked my permission. If I should be delighted. If Lucy wishes it. She stopped reading. I was rather amused at Cecil asking my permission at all. He has always gone in for unconventionality, And parents know where and so forth. When it comes to the point, He can't really get on without me. No me! You. Freddy nodded. What do you mean? He asked for my permission as well. How very odd of him. Why so? Said the salmon, Eh? Why shouldn't my permission be asked? What do you know about Lucy, Or girls, Or anything? Whatever did you say? I said to Cecil, Take her or leave her, It's no business of mine. What a helpful answer, Said his mother. But her own answer, Though more normal in its wording, Had been much to the same effect. The bother is this, Began Freddy. Then he took up his work again, Too shy to say what the bother was. Mrs Honeychurch went back to the window. Freddy, You must come! There, They still are! I don't think you ought to go peeping like that. Peeping like that, Can't I look out of my own window? But then his mother returned to the writing table, Observing as she passed her son. Still on page 322. Freddy snorted and turned over two leaves. For a brief space they were silent. Close by, Beyond the curtains, The gentle murmur of a long conversation had never ceased. The bother is this. Freddy continued. I've put my foot in it with Cecil most awfully. Not content with permission, Which I did give. That is to say, I don't mind. Well, Not content with that. He wanted to know whether I wasn't off my head with joy. You practically put it like this. Wasn't it a splendid thing for Lucy and Windy Corner generally if he married her? And he would have an answer, You know. He said it would strengthen his hand. I hope you gave a careful answer dear. Said Mrs. Honeychurch. I answered no, Said the boy, Grinding his teeth. There, Flying to a stew if you will. I can't help it, I had to say no. You'll never to have asked me. Ridiculous child, " said his mother. You think you're so wholly untruthful, But really it's only abominable conceit. Do you suppose a man like Cecil would take the slightest notice of anything you say? I hope he boxed your ears. How dare you say no? Do keep quiet, Mother. I had to say no when I couldn't say yes. I tried to laugh as if I didn't mean what I said. And a Cecil laugh too. And went away, You might be alright. But I feel my faults in it. Oh, Do keep quiet though, Mother, And let a man do some work. No, Said Mrs Honeychurch with the air of one who had considered the subject. I shall not keep quiet. You know that all has passed between them in Rome. You know why he's down here and yet you deliberately insult him and try to turn him out of my house. Not a bit, " pleaded Freddy. I only let out that I didn't like him. I don't hate him, But I don't like him. What I mind is that he'll tell Lucy. Freddy glanced at the curtains dismally. Will I like him? " said Miss Sunnychurch. I know his mother. He's good, Clever and rich. And he's well connected. Oh Freddy, You needn't kick the piano. He's well connected. I'll say it again if you like. He's well connected. She paused as if rehearsing her eulogy, But her face remained dissatisfied. Then she added, And he has beautiful manners. I liked him till just now, Said Freddy. I suppose it's him having spoiling Lucy's first week at home, And also something Mr. Beebe said. Mr Beeb? " said his mother, Trying to conceal her interest. I don't see how Mr. B comes into this. You know Mr. Beeb's funny way, When you never quite know what he means, He said. Mr. Vice is an ideal bachelor. I was very cute and asked him what he meant. Oh, He's like me, Better detached, He said. I couldn't make him say any more, But it set me thinking. Since Cecil's come after Lucy, He hasn't been so pleasant at least. I can't explain. You never can dear, But I can. You are jealous of Cecil because he may stop Lucy knitting you silk ties. The explanation seemed plausible and Freddie tried to accept it. But at the back of his brain there lurked a dim mistrust. Cecil praised one too much for being athletic. Was that it? Cecil made one talk in one's own way This tired one, Was that it? And Cecil was the kind of fellow who would never wear another fellow's cap. Unaware of his own profundity. Freddy checked himself. He must be jealous or he would not like this man for such foolish reasons. Will this do? Called his mother. Dear Mrs Vise, Cecil has just asked my permission about it and I should be delighted if Lucy wishes it. Then I put at the top. And I have told Lucy so. I must write the letter out again. But Lucy seems very uncertain. And in these days young people must decide for themselves. Suppose Lucy marries Cecil, Would she live in a flat all the country? Asked Freddy. Don't interrupt so foolishly. Where was I? Oh yes, Young people must decide for themselves. I know that Lucy likes your son because she tells me everything and she wrote to me from Rome when he asked her first. No, I'll cross that bit out, It looks patronising. Cross it out, Too, " said Freddie. Mrs Honeychurch then left it in. The whole thing runs, Dear Mrs Vize, Cecil's asked my permission about it, I should be delighted if Lucy wishes it, And I have told Lucy so. But Lucy seems very uncertain, And in these days young people must decide for themselves. I know that Lucy likes your son because she tells me everything, But I do not know. . . Look out! " cried Freddy. The curtains parted. Cecil's first movement was one of irritation. He couldn't bear the honey church habit of sitting in the dark to save the furniture. Instinctively he gave the curtains a twitch and sent them swinging down their poles. Light entered the room. There was revealed a terrace such as is owned by many villas with trees either side of it. And don it a little rustic seat and two flower beds. But it was transfigured by the view beyond. For Windy Corner was built on the range that overlooks the Sussex Weald. Lucy who was in the little seat seemed on the edge of a green magic carpet which hovered in the air above the tremulous world. Cecil entered. Appearing thus late in the story, Cecil must at once be described. He was medieval, Like a Gothic statue. Tall and refined with shoulders that seemed braced square by an effort of the will. And a head that was tilted a little higher than the usual level of vision. He resembled those fastidious saints who guard the portals of a French cathedral. Well educated, Well endowed. And not deficient physically. He remained in the grip of a certain devil, Whom the modern world knows as self-consciousness. And whom the medieval, With dimmer vision, Worshipped as asceticism. A Gothic statue implies celibacy, Just as a Greek statue implies fruition. And perhaps this was what Mr B meant. Freddie, Who ignored history and art. Perhaps meant the same when he failed to imagine Cecil wearing another fellow's cap. Mrs Honeychurch left her letter on the writing table and moved towards her young acquaintance. I promisey sposey, " said he. They stared at him anxiously. She has accepted, He said. And the sound of the thing in English made him flush and smile with pleasure and look more human. I am so glad, " said Mrs. Honeychurch. While Freddie proffered a hand that was yellow with chemicals. They wish that they also knew Italian, For our phrases of approval and amazement are so connected with little occasions that we fear to use them on great ones. We are obliged to become vaguely poetic in those occasions or to take refuge in scriptural reminiscences. Welcome is one of our family, " said Mrs. Honeychurch, Waving her hand at the furniture. This is indeed a joyous day. I feel sure you will make our dear Lucy very happy. I hope so, " replied the young man. Shifting his eyes. To the ceiling. Wee mothers! Simpered Mrs Honeychurch. And then realised she was affected, Sentimental, Bombastic, All the things she hated the most. Why could she not be Freddy who stood stiff in the middle of the room looking very cross and. . . Almost handsome. I say, Lucy. Called Cecil. Conversations seemed to flag. This brought Lucy rising from the seat. She moved across the lawn and smiled in at them as if she was going to ask them to play tennis. Then she saw her brother's face. Her lips parted. And she took him in her arms. Steady on, He said. Love a kiss from me? Asked her mother. Lucy kissed her also. Would you take them into the garden and tell Mrs Honeychurch all about it? " Cecil suggested. And I'd stop here and tell my mother. We go with Lucy, Said Freddy as if taking orders. Yes. You go with Lucy. Then they passed into the sunlight and Cecil watched them cross the terrace and descend out of sight by the steps. They would descend, He knew their ways, Past the shrubbery, Past the tennis lawn and the daily abed, Until they reached the kitchen garden, And there, In the presence of the potatoes and the peas, The great event would be discussed. Smiling indulgently, He lit a cigarette. And then he rehearsed the events. That had led to such a happy end. Conclusion.