A Room With A View

     

     The movie starts off with Ms. Honeychurch and her cousin Charlotte Batrtlett at Italy for vacation or as they called it a pensione with two vicars, a father and son, two spinsters, and a novelist. When they arrive they are disappointed to notice their room has no view. As they get to the table with all the aforementioned characters they are talking about this problem and because they are late cannot really engage in the conversation at first. The person that is commanding the conversation is Eleanor Lavish. The novelist, Eleanor Lavish, was the representation of the traveler, the person that immerses themselves in the place they're visiting culture and customs. Unfortunately, I believe she immersed herself a little too dangerously and fictitiously. Only in movies do you get lost in the Italian slums and not even get approached by somebody. In addition to being the traveller she could also be the representation of nouveau riche, or new money. She is the only one constantly talking as if trying to prove that she indeed belonged with all that were present. The cousin experiences Italy with Eleanor the novelist and in her she believes to have found a friend for the trip. She is definitely an educated and aristocratic lady though she isn’t rich but not a laborer either. Lucy (or Ms. Honeychurch) decides to experience Florence as a tourist and, against Mr. Beebe’s recommendation, alone. She is the epitome of class and aristocracy, but most importantly she is definitely an intellectual. She keeps an open mind about the Emerson’s and their somewhat eccentric ways. The spinsters could be interpreted as intellectuals, something that I don’t think many would agree, though the reason I believe so is because people that choose to travel the world to learn and experience different cultures and history. Even though they are elderly and haven’t got a lot to do because of their spinster status, they don’t give in to petty gossip and travel.

      Mr. Beebe’s is obviously the representation of a clergy in the film and the best one too. The other clergy that was in Florence was a lot stricter to the point of fanaticism and arrogance. On the contrary, Mr. Beebe is a happy reverend that listens to what the people had to say and not only the sound of his own voice. He was immersed on the well being of the town and even people that weren’t part of his parish like the Alan sisters. Finally, the best characters, in my opinion, the personification of romanticism of the time, Mr. Emerson and George Emerson. Mr. Emerson is sincere in his actions and doesn’t concede to fussy etiquette that impedes happiness. He says what he thinks and always with the best interest of the person he was addressing. The first time he talks, he advices a fellow traveller to not drink lemonade for it is acidic and would damage her stomach lining and the second time he offers his and his son’s room to Lucy Honeychurch and her chaperone Charlotte Bartlett. George is infatuated from the very beginning with Ms. Honeychurch and she was equally smitten. He saves her when she faints because of the fight and blood that two Italians have in the plaza. Mr. Emerson and George, are intellectuals, professional and by all means foreigners. They, although educated and from England, are not like the other travellers with them, they are completely different and impulsive. Something rather frowned upon by old English etiquette rules.

      As the movie progresses they leave Florence to go back home where we meet Lucy Honeychurch’s mother and brother. They are although educated and well off, very humble family where we see where Lucy inherited her kindness and love for knowledge, but most importantly for fun. Unfortunately, after everything that happened between Lucy and George (they kissed), she gets engaged with a pedantic aristocrat named, Cecil Vyse. Thank Zeus, (just into greek mythology) she does not marry Cecil, but, because George admitted his love for her, she breaks the engagement as she also realizes she is in love with him. They go back to Florence, this time as husband and wife and have neither worry nor problems, for their room has a view.