Art, Music, and the Human Spirit: Significant Allusions in A Room with a View Anonymous 12th Grade

In A Room with a View, E.M. Forster weaves many allusions to music, art, and literature into the plot of the novel. The allusions, though seemingly subtle and insignificant, contribute greatly to the overarching message of the novel. Understanding the background for these allusions adds an extra layer of depth and comprehension of the bildungsroman. One message amplified throughout the novel is that Lucy is slowly finding her voice and choosing to be heard rather than simply seen as most societal norms would see fit for a woman of her age. For example, Cecil views Lucy as a work of art that is better off to simply be admired and collected rather than heard and understood. The tension between Lucy’s desire to break free and no longer conform to the image she is expected to portray and Cecil’s desire to contain Lucy within the box of simply living life as a mild-mannered wife sets up a potential overall meaning that can be taken away from A Room with a View. Through allusions to different composers and paintings specifically, Forster conveys the message that the human spirit truly triumphs when it is not just seen and appreciated but heard and understood.

One of the earlier allusions in the novel that hints toward this message is...