Lucy Honeychurch’s journey of self- discovery is shown through the theme of dignity as her attitude towards her social behaviour seemed to have altered somewhat to the typical British behaviours from the first visit to Florence. This is shown at the end of the novel in the way in which she acted in the situation with Cecil, she broke off her marriage to Cecil despite him being the perfect social match, this greatly upsets her whole family and would be seen to being going against the social restraints in which she should marry who society allows her to marry, but also who her parents give their blessing for her to marry. The fact that instead she returns to Florence with George shows that she is breaking against the restraints of society and that she has changed as a person, but further more that she had discovered who she is as a person.
Stevens’s journey of self discovery can also be seen from the theme of dignity. At the beginning of his journey Stevens made a comment that ‘dignity is in keeping with position.’ This involved the tasks required of him to be completed to the best of his ability but to also behave in a certain manner especially in the presence of his employer lord Darlington. At the beginning of the novel Stevens seems to believe that only particular convosation primarily his job is appropriate when in lord Darlington’s presence, under new employment when lord Faraday tries to banter with Stevens he is initially taken aback but at the end of the novel when Stevens declares after bantering with a complete stranger that ‘bantering is hardly an unreasonable duty.’ This shows that Stevens has discovered himself as the idea of bantering previously with lord Darlington seemed out of the question, but Stevens seems more relaxed under his new employment and even accepts the fact that his skills aren’t at the standards they used to be ‘more and more errors are appearing in my work.’ It seems at this point that perhaps Stevens has understood the decline in the profession of butlers and accepts it.
Another way in which both characters show their journey of self discovery is through the theme of love. Lucy despite meeting George in Florence and ending up kissing him accepts the marriage proposal from Cecil when she returns home. The scene in which George kisses Lucy shows the spontaneity of Lucy and how she does feel restricted by the boundaries enforced on her by society because her nature is to be spontaneous. However the way in which she handles the situation shows that although she disagrees with society’s constraints she will still abide by them which is shown when she insists on "silence" from George, making insinuations against his character that he will tell others about their kiss. It is obvious to the reader that Lucy and George are in love but to Lucy, to love George is unacceptable. In keeping with polite society, Lucy denies George as a partner as he is of a lower social class, it is clear that she is not in love with Cecil as she declines his offer of marriage many times before finally accepting his offer to be his wife. This shows that she is not contempt in marrying Cecil. Though engaged, Lucy seems unwilling to give up her freedom. Even as Cecil goes inside the house to tell Mrs Honeychurch of their engagement, she remains outside, that fact that she stays outside shows that she still cant act on her impulses.. Her journey of self discovery is apparent at the end of the novel when she breaks up her marriage to Cecil to be with George.
Stevens’s journey of self discovery is also shown through the theme of love. Stevens is presented as a reserved character and therefore shows no emotions of feelings to the reader of to any other character. He keeps his emotions secret in order to remain professional. At the beginning of the novel he stresses the importance of his profession and that he is ultimately married to his job. His first mention of Miss Kenton is in regard to ‘staffing problems’ enforcing the fact that he is completely dedicated to his job. The dramatic irony of ‘the remains of the day’ is that it is apparent to the reader that Stevens has feelings for Miss Kenton. When Miss Kenton announces to Stevens that she is leaving to be married it creates a sense of pathos invoking a feeling of sorrow towards Stevens. Stevens did not display his feeling of affection towards Miss Kenton because of his professional manner. His journey of self discovery is epitomised at the end of the novel when he accepts his love for Miss Kenton saying that ‘one can’t be forever dwelling on what might have been.’ Showing that despite his needs to be professional he couldn’t hide his feelings.
A final way in which both characters embark on a journey of self discovery is through the way in which they express themselves. Mr Emerson noted when he first met Lucy that she was ‘just repeating what others have told you.’ Showing that Lucy didn’t present her own opinions as it would be unacceptable, but instead reiterated what others had told her were socially acceptable to believe. Stevens appears not to have any of his own experiences to talk about so instead refers to things he has read, ‘indeed, I have seen in encyclopaedias and the national geographic magazine breath taking photographs’ showing that he lacks the ability to express himself. However at the end of both books, both characters seem to have acquired the ability to express themselves, Lucy when breaking off the divorce to Cecil on the grounds that his constant sheltering of her and attempts to define how she should think are conventional and insulting and Stevens when telling a stranger that ‘I gave it all to lord Darlington.’ This shows that the experiences they have endured in the book have taught them that to express themselves vocally and emotionally is not necessarily a bad thing.
In ‘A Room with a View’ Lucy grows into a woman by choosing to follow her own instincts when it came to love and ignoring the boundaries imposed by her on British society. She learnt to express her own opinions in a beneficial way as opposed to reiterating the opinions of her peers and her elders. Stevens progressed as he to accepted love, despite the fact that his chance had passed. Also the fact that Stevens almost accepts the decline of his profession shows that he has really discovered himself. The end chapter of ‘The Remains of the Day’ epitomises Stevens’ journey of self discovery as Stevens is presented as a extremely reserved character, at the end of the novel Stevens discuses his feeling to a complete stranger.
