The Symbolism Used by EM Forster in "A Room With A View"

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The Symbolism Used by EM Forster in “A Room With A View”

        During the book, Forster uses many symbols to add atmosphere and make the reader look deeper into the book and its meanings.  The symbols are also used to illustrate, (sometimes subconsciously in the reader’s mind) what is going on in the minds of the various characters and, in particular, Lucy.  He also uses symbols to help explain the characters, atmospheres and social situations during the book.  In my opinion the three most significant and most common categories of symbols are Music, Mythology and Location.

Music

        Music is used by Forster to portray the general atmosphere and as a symbol of Lucy’s repressed feelings and her development.  In the opening paragraph of chapter 3, Forster writes that “Lucy, who found daily life rather chaotic, entered a more solid world when she opened the piano”.  He goes on to explain why, claiming that “The kingdom of Music is not the kingdom of this world”, implying that Lucy plays to escape from this world, the physical reality, to another, the world of music, where passion and emotion thrive.  Later on in the chapter, Forster describes her as a “true performer” and builds up the sense of emotion by using phrases such as “she was intoxicated by the mere feel of the notes”.  The reason Forster uses this is to show that Lucy has a powerful, passionate and emotional personality on the inside, which she expresses while she plays the piano but is unable to display this colourful personality on the outside.  This is, in fact, the main core of the book.

        The third chapter repeatedly mentions Lucy’s playing of the Piano.  The chapter itself is titled “Music, violets and the letter ‘S’”.  Later on, once Mr Beebe and Lucy have been introduced, Mr Beebe comments on Lucy’s playing to the Vicar; “If Miss Honeychurch ever takes to live as she plays, it will be very exciting both for us and for her.”  In this case, Forster uses Mr Beebe to narrate to any readers who have not yet picked up on the symbolism of Lucy’s piano playing.

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        Forster also uses the significance of different composers during the book.  Lucy plays three composers during the book.  She plays Beethoven, Mozart and Schumann.  She plays Beethoven when she is feeling rebellious and passionate.  In chapter 3, when she is described as playing passionately and emotionally, she is playing Beethoven.  Beethoven’s music is passionate and emotional so this is, therefore, a direct symbolism.  Playing piano, stirs her emotional potential, which makes her feel rebellious.  We see this before the murder in the square.  Lucy plays and then feels rebellious so goes out, by herself, and buys several photos, one of ...

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