The Geometry of Living: Rooms vs. Views

Oh, it's quite true, isn't it? The rooms, like our rooms at the Bertolini without a view, felt so confining, almost as if they were dictating how we ought to feel and behave. But then, that wonderful view of the Arno, it hinted at something more, a world of possibilities beyond what was expected of me.

I must concur, though perhaps with a touch more… restraint. The physical space, as Lucy so aptly puts it, does seem to impress upon one's very soul. The lack of a proper view at the Bertolini, especially given the Signora's promises, felt a deliberate imposition, a stifling of the spirit that I could not help but perceive as a reflection of deeper societal restrictions upon young women such as Lucy.

While Mr. Emerson's sentiments possess a certain…vigour, I find myself in agreement with both Lucy and Miss Bartlett regarding the influence of one's surroundings. A room, after all, is not merely a space, but a microcosm reflecting—or perhaps dictating—the perceived boundaries of our existence. The view, or lack thereof, becomes a symbol of the opportunities, or constraints, placed upon us.

It’s so obvious they should have the rooms. They should have the experience. The confinement, the lack of view, is the imposition, as Miss Bartlett so gently states, on what they might become. I would rather go up to heaven by myself than be pushed by cherubs; and if I got there I should like my friends to lean out of it, just as they do here.

Well, it certainly speaks to the tension between the individual and society, doesn't it? The desire for personal growth versus the expectations of Edwardian England. Just as a room can either confine or liberate, so too can societal norms. The "view," then, represents the possibility of breaking free and embracing a more authentic self, even if it means causing a bit of a stir.

I must respectfully disagree with Lucy. While she makes a point about personal growth, I believe the "stir," as she puts it, is precisely what one must avoid. The novel illustrates that true happiness lies not in flouting convention, but in understanding and navigating the delicate balance between personal desires and societal expectations. For a young woman to rush headlong into a situation without proper guidance, well, the consequences could be dire indeed.

While Miss Bartlett makes a fair point regarding the importance of societal harmony, I believe Mr. Emerson captures the essence of the matter. It is not merely about avoiding scandal, but about the courage to embrace one's true self, even if it means challenging the status quo. If Miss Honeychurch ever takes to live as she plays, it will be very exciting both for us and for her.

It's the expectation of "proper guidance" that suffocates, isn't it, Miss Bartlett? To live, to truly see, requires more than navigating politely around societal demands. That view, that breaking free, is not about avoiding consequences; it's about choosing them. It is about embracing that room with that view, even if it means scandal.