A Room With A View

The Subtle Heroine A Room with a View, by Edward Morgan Foster, presents the story of Lucy Honeychurch, a young woman belonging to English “high society.” Foster places this young maiden in a state of conflict between the snobbery of her class, the “suitable and traditional” views and advice offered by various family members and friends, and her true heart’s desire. This conflict “forces Lucy Honeychurch to choose between convention and passion (Bantam Intro-back …

…sees right through her false excuses for breaking off with Cecil and forces her to realize her genuine feelings of love for George. Lucy succumbs to her passion and overcomes the confining condition of her social class. She tells her family and friends of her love for George Emerson, refusing to hold on to her “distinguished and proper” behavior, giving into her true desire, and transforming from a petty young woman to a subtle heroine.