A Room With a View as a Bildungsroman

Lucy’s development and growth makes A Room With a View a bildungsroman. In the beginning, Lucy was a timid young girl who lived according to the conventions of her family and social class. She suppressed her needs and wants in order to please those around her. In choosing a husband, Lucy was torn between Cecil who will give her security socially and financially, and George who will give her a life of independence and everything unconventional. The Lucy in the beginning of the novel would have been satisfied with Cecil, but because she chose George, this shows how much she has grown. This growth is evident in the cancellation of her engagement with Cecil. She was no longer willing to be polite and avoid confrontation. For the first time in her life, she stood up for what she wanted and needed. In choosing George, she was willing to give up everything and everyone that she has ever known in order to follow her heart. Even though her future will be unclear with George, she will be living a life worth living. A life filled with love and adventure. For a young girl during her time period, she chose the path less taken.