The Underlying Conflict of Class Struggle in "A Room with a View"

The 1985 film “A Room with a View,” based on E.M. Foster’s 1908 novel of the same name, presents the situation of a young woman, Lucy Honeychurch, who does not wish to live by society's standards and expectations. This is seen from the beginning of the film, but her desire intensifies when she falls in love with George Emerson, a man who is below her social class. Lucy, leaving her moment with George behind, then accepts to marry Cecil Vyse, an upper class gentleman. This gives rise to the conflict of class struggle and discrimination. The difference in social classes is seen through the character’s attires, their houses and the activities that they enjoy. The social class discrimination is an underlying conflict in the story and it has great influence in Lucy’s decisions.

(Image from http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/trailers-from-hell-gets-a-room-with-a-view-20150309)

                At first, while Lucy vacations in Italy, the class difference between her and the Emersons is not so clear. The distinguishing act is when Mr. Emerson calls out that it’s illogical for Lucy and her chaperone, Charlotte, to uphold such social niceties by not accepting the room with a view when the girls want it and the Emersons don’t. The fact that they are both staying in the same hotel means that they must be more or less in the same social class. Thus, both could be classified in the middle class. The distinction is made clear when Lucy returns to England and Mr. Emerson then moves to England. Lucy lives in a big, lavish house, while Mr. Emerson moves in to a small villa. This distinguishes Lucy as belonging to the upper middle class and the Emersons as belonging to the lower middle class. Another clear distinction is seen through their modes of transportation. Lucy’s primary vehicle is a horse-drawn carriage, while George’s primary vehicle is a bicycle. When we introduce Cecil into the comparison, the distinction between classes is even clearer. Cecil belongs to the upper class. It is most clear through his attire and his attitude. He is pretentious and dislikes Lucy’s town. Cecil is always wearing very extravagant clothes. He wears mainly a fine suit and tie, while George mainly wears ragged casual pants and a shirt. Lucy’s attire is somewhere in the middle between Cecil and George, but leaning more towards Cecil’s extreme.

                Each character’s actions are also clear indications of what social class they belong to. For example, both Cecil and George attend to the same lake at the different moments. When Cecil attends, he is very quiet and reserved, as always, and does not even consider going in for a swim at the lake. On the other hand, when George attends the lake, it is with the intention of going in for a swim. He goes with Lucy’s brother and Mr. Beebe and they all play, splash the water and run around the lake. This sort of behavior is too foolish for Cecil’s upper class. Another clear distinction is seen when Lucy, George and others are playing tennis while Cecil stands idly by reading a book. When George leaves and Freddy asks Cecil to join them, Cecil refuses and proudly admits to being only good for books, as if such activities were beneath him.

                The presented distinctions in looks and behavior evidence the social class discrimination seen in “A Room with a View.” This underlying conflict is an important factor in Lucy’s decision to end her engagement with Cecil and in her ultimate decision of allowing herself to love George. Cecil saw Lucy as a possession and a prize to show off, while George really loved her for who she was. Lucy realized that she didn’t want to be sucked into Cecil’s upper class manners and traditions, and that what she really wanted was Cecil’s genuine and humble love; thus evidencing the underlying conflict of class struggle.