It can be seen through Forster’s writing that the ‘nature of love’ in England and in Italy contrasts dramatically. The reader can see that Lucy finds herself torn between an un-English passion and stifling Victorian propriety, which is personified in her pretentious fiancé Cecil Vyes.
Being English means that Lucy had to abide by certain rules and live up to people’s expectations. An example of this is her acceptance of Cecil’s marriage proposal; pg. 106- Cecil- ‘“She has accepted me,” he said and the sound of the thing in English made him flush and smile with pleasure.’
Lucy only accepted Cecil’s offer to please her mother and not on account of her true feelings. Also, Lucy because of her status in English society had to repress her emotions towards George due to the social structures of Windy Corner. In this book Forster expresses the difference between what it means to be of a higher status in England rather than lower and how these social classes convey and express emotion. This difference can be seen in Lucy and George, as George’s approach to expressing his love for Lucy is much more boisterous and passionate than Lucys more subtle approach. Lucy denied to her family, friends and self that she ever felt anything for George. Pg. 213- Lucy- ‘I do not love George; I must go to Greece because I do not love George; I did not brake off my engagement because I love George.’ Since Lucy had never experienced true love she may have been unaware of her feelings for George. Pg. 191- Lucy- ‘You don’t love me [Cecil] I dare say you are right not to. But it would hurt a little less if I knew why.’
In ‘A room with a view’ Lucy and George expressed themselves differently because society had different expectations of them and that they had different expectations and standards of their own. This seemed to be the case in Windy Corner, as when Lucy finally admitted to herself and to others that she loved George, Mr. Beebe immediately judged her. Pg. 225- Mr. Beebe- ‘He said in a low, stern voice “ I am more grieved than I can possibly express. It is lamentable, lamentable- incredible.”’
The reader can see that Lucys ‘undeveloped heart’ is awakened by her experiences in Italy, as she is not surrounded by the usual daily guidelines and restrictions, and her true inner passion is revealed. To be Italian means that it is expected that you are passionate, when it comes to love and openly express all emotion.
Forster reveals the nature of love through his characters. He makes contrasts between the way different people express love. This is exposed through the characters actions, dialogue with other characters, reactions to certain events from the point of view of the author and of other characters. Forster reveals the ‘nature of love’ also through the character dialogue and how different characters express their feelings. Pg. 27- Cecil-“‘Up until now I have not kissed you’…He considered with truth that it had been a failure. Passion should believe itself irresistible.” Compared to George- pg. 89- ‘He saw radiant joy in her face, he saw the flowers beat against her dress in blue waves. The bushes above them closed. He stopped forward and kissed her.’
Through the characters in his novel Forster explores the nature of love by setting the characteristics of the English class system against the passionate nature of the Italian.
