Answer all three of the following:
- Write about the examples of written correspondence (i.e. letters) in the novel. How do the characters use this form of communication? How (if at all) does it differ, in terms of style and/or content, from the way they speak to each other out loud?
- Chapters XVI through XIX are all titled “Lying to…”, followed by the name of a character(s). How is Lucy lying to them, as a group, and individually? And ultimately, how (and why) is Lucy lying to herself?
- What is the significance of the title of the final chapter (XX – “The End of the Middle Ages”)?
Choose one of the following questions to answer as well:
- What’s your opinion of the way in which the novel ends? Appropriate? Satisfying? Satisfactory? Too easy?
- Describe the change(s) in Lucy Honeychurch from the beginning of the novel to the end. In what fundamental and important ways does she change, especially in terms of behavior, attitude and situation?
- Besides Lucy, who is the most interesting and/or compelling character in the novel? Why? What about this person’s character (behavior, attitudes, etc.) do you find so intriguing?
DUE DATE: You need to have the novel finished and these questions posted by the end of the day (as in 3:00 p.m.) on Friday, October 24th. I will attempt to provide you with a bit of computer lab time at some point before then.
1. The letters come in two different forms, forms of business and forms of gossip. For example, when Cecil writes to the Emersons it is formal as a business letter should be. On the other hand, when Lucy and Charlotte write to each other about George Emerson being in the neighborhood, the letters are informal and they are written in a way like they are in the same room gossiping.
ReplyDelete2. Lucy lies to everyone by hiding her feelings for George. Lucy lies to George when she says she is in love with Cecil and when she denies his love for her and tells him to leave. She lies to Cecil by saying there is no other man when she breaks off the engagement. She lies to Mr. Beebe when she says she only has to go to Greece for independence. Finally, she lies to Mr. Emerson when Lucy tricks him into believing that she is still going to marry Cecil. Lucy lies to herself because she tries to tell herself that she is not really in love with George when she truly is.
3. The significance of the last chapter title represents her breaking away from Cecil (The Middle Ages) and accepts her love for George. She is ready to begin a new life with the man who she truly loves and not the man who is trying to shape her to his liking.
4. I am satisfied with the way the novel ends. Lucy is with her true love George and everything plays out how it is meant to be. If Lucy stayed with Cecil I would've been very disappointed.
1. Letters are a big part of how everyone in the novel communicates, whether it's being formal or gossiping. When Cecil writes, he is very formal and sounds very educated. Especially in his letters to Mr. Emerson. The women on the other hand (Lucy and Miss Bartlett) tend to use informal style and gossip a lot through their writings.
ReplyDelete2. Lucy lies to herself when she tells the others she isn't in love with George, even though she really is. She lies to George and said she loved Cecil and was going to marry him. She also lied to Cecil before she called off the engagement and told Mr. Emerson she was going to marry Cecil and not George.
3. Lucy finally came to the conclusion that George is the one for her and she would start a new life with him and the relationship with Cecil.
6. I think Miss Charlotte Bartlett was definitely an interesting person throughout the entire novel. She was kind of "sneaky" in some ways, yet somewhat helpful to Lucy. I don't think that Lucy would've found love with George if Charlotte didn't take her on vacation with her.
1) When the characters write letters, it differs from when they speak to each other in person. In letters, the characters tend to express their feeling more and say things that would not be said if they were face to face. Today, this would be the equivalent of texting someone. It tends to be less formal and more may be said from behind a screen, or in the books case, behind a paper.
ReplyDelete2) Lucy was lying to Cecil by telling him there wasn’t anyone else when he asked. She was lying to George by saying she was in love with Cecil. Mr. Emerson was lied to when Lucy told him that she was still marrying Cecil. Lastly, Lucy was lying to herself by trying to find love for Cecil that was just not there. She wanted to believe that she was in love with Cecil when in reality, she loved George.
3) The last chapter’s title, The End of the Middle Ages, signified the end of Lucy and Cecil. Cecil was used to symbolize the Middle Ages. When Lucy admitted to herself that she was not in love with Cecil, this was the end of him and the end of their relationship.
4) I believe the end of the novel was satisfying, appropriate, but predictable. I never enjoy upsetting endings, but I could see this one coming. It turned out to be a typical love story. I’m not complaining though, I wouldn’t have been satisfied with anything different. Overall, I really enjoyed the book.
1. The letters in the story demonstrate a non-verbal conversation between characters, in which they speak more freely. When Lucy and Charlotte correspond their letters can best be described as unrestrained. They have the ability to let go of social standards and say what they are thinking without fear of persecution.
ReplyDelete2. The titles of the chapters are true to the content. Lucy lies to herself and George when she refuses to acknowledge her love for him, and telling him she loves Cecil. She lies to Cecil when she says there is not another man. She lies to Mr. Beebe by saying the trip to Greece is for a little independence. She lies to Mr. Emerson when she tells him she is still going to marry Cecil. She is lying to them and ultimately herself to hide her love for George.
3. I believe that Forrester chose “The End of the Middle Ages” to be the title of the last chapter because Lucy and George are finally together. They are both progressive thinkers, and their relationship is one that kills all social norms of the period. Both are out of the period of darkness and oppression.
4. I thought the ending of the novel was incredibly obvious. Typical love story, without any real difficulty obtaining the relationship.
Wade Cone
ReplyDelete1) In the novel, the way in each character portrayed themselves was different, but the letters they sent represented their personality. For instance, when Cecil wrote letters to Mr. Beebe, he was still the same. Cecil was still really uptight and professional. Whereas when Lucy wrote letters to Charlotte it was more personal and free, which spoke to Lucy’s true character during the piece and how she eventually accepted who she was.
2) The chapters entitled “Lying to..” are entitled as follows: “Lying to George”, “Lying to Cecil”, “Lying to Mr. Beebe, Mrs. Honeychurch, Freddy, and the Servants”, and “Lying to Mr.Emerson”. Lucy lies to George by saying she isn’t in love with him. George tells her that Cecil only wants her as a possession and he doesn’t actually love her. In the following chapter Lucy uses that same example as she tells Cecil that she doesn’t believe he loves her and uses the same example that George used. Lucy lies to Mr. Beebe and Mrs. Honeychurch about the reason she’s going to Greece and she lies to Mr. Emerson by saying that what George did was not right and that she is not in love with him. Ultimately Lucy lies to herself by suppressing her love for George and not accepting the fact she can be who SHE wants to be.
3) The final chapter is entitled “The End of the Middle Ages” because Lucy breaks free from the metaphoric dark age she was in. She is now enlightened and ready to accept herself for who she is. By breaking away from Cecil she can start a happy and free life with the man she really wants.
6) To me, the most interesting person in the novel is Mr. Emerson. In the novel he made me think the most; especially in the chapter “Lying to Mr. Emerson” when he was telling Lucy how he raised George to be one that loves and cares. You can see that this is relevant when George kisses Lucy after playing tennis at Cecil’s when he tells her that if Lucy was with him he’d want her to have her own thoughts and aspirations in life and he wouldn’t force her to be someone she’s not. Overall Mr. Emerson was a father figure to me and was my overall favorite character.
1.To me, the letters seem more business-like than the usual gossip of the characters. As the characters talk or interact with each other they always have opinions on other people and things. The letters written from the Miss Allen’s and Charlotte Bartlett seemed more businesslike but still had that gossipy background in them. I don’t think the way of communication really changes that much between letters and in person due to the characters social class and feelings of certain subjects.
ReplyDelete2.Chapter XVI- She is lying to George by telling him that she does not love him but instead loves Cecil and she tells George that she felt nothing from their kisses and wishes for him to leave her alone. Chapter XVII- After she breaks off the engagement with Cecil, she lies to him about the reason. She gives Cecil the reasons that George had given her to not marry him. The truth was that she was in love with George but could not admit it, as she did not want to seem like a tramp. Chapter XVIII- She lies to Mr. Beebe, Mrs. Honeychurch, Freddy, and the servants by telling them of untrue reasons to go to Greece when really she is trying to get away from George. She tells them how much she would love to go to Greece and begs to go. Chapter XIX- She lies to Mr. Emerson by telling him that she is not in love with his son and felt nothing for their kisses. However, he sees right through her and convinces her to give love a chance.
3.The significance of the chapter title “The End of the Middle Ages” is that Lucy has finally escaped the person she felt she needed to be and is now being the person she wants to be. With Cecil, Lucy felt obligated to be what he looked for in a wife. But in this chapter with George, Lucy feels very comfortable and in love. She did not feel this way with Cecil but instead felt stressed to impress. This signifies the end of the middle ages.
4.I don’t mind the way the story ends. Throughout the entire book I was routing for Lucy and George and as long as they ended up together at the end I was satisfied. The end was a bit confusing because I had trouble comprehending the words but it was a good happily ever after for George and Lucy and that was fine by me.
1. When the characters write letters to each other they seem more sophisticated than they are in person. In their letters they brag about their travel plans or high end events they have attended. They use this form of communication to brag about things that they would not say to the person face to face. The Miss Allens sends Mr. Beebe a letter to inform him about her travels to Greece. This letter I feel was merely for the purpose of bragging, and to make Mr. Beebe wish he was there when he knows he cannot be.
ReplyDelete2. In chapters XVI through XIX Lucy is lying to different people about things such as, her feelings for George and her reasoning for going to Greece. Lucy is doing this to try and convince them that she has no feelings for George but ultimately she is trying to convince herself that she does not have any feelings for George.
3. The chapter title “The End Of The Middle Ages” is significant because it is saying that it is the end for Lucy and Cecil. On page 71 Cecil is described as “Medieval”, like “a gothic statue” but George is nothing like Cecil in any way, shape, or form so at the end of the chapter when Lucy chooses George it is like the “End Of The Middle Ages” for Lucy to a certain extent.
6. I think the most interesting character in the novel is George Emerson. George is quiet and mysterious and always in wonder about something. He is a questioner never fully satisfied with what is laid out in front of him. George is always wondering what else there is in the world to chase after and discover.
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Sam Dessena
ReplyDelete1. Some of the characters in this book wrote letters to certain people and it was still similar to how they spoke out loud to one another. Cecil wrote letters to Mr. Bebe and wrote them in typical Cecil form, just a complete incompetent jerk like Cecil always is. Lucy also wrote letters to Charlotte
2. Lucy is lying to all of them because she continues to string together reasons why she doesn’t want to be with Cecil and why she doesn’t want to be here at home and that she want’s Athens but really she is just lying to herself because the reasoning behind all of this is because she truly loves George. She doesn’t honestly know it and Cecil is so oblivious that he obviously doesn’t notice but she does love George. In the chapter “Lying to Mr. Beebe, Mrs. Honeychurch, Freddy, and The Servants” she gives them all false reasons why she is going to Athens. In the chapter “Lying to Mr. Emerson “she tells him what George did was wrong (kiss her again) and in the chapter “Lying to George” she just explains to George why it’s wrong. Last in the chapter “Lying to Cecil” she lies about why she cannot marry him.
3. The last chapter “The End of the Middle Ages” really means that Lucy is finally going to enjoy life the way she has always wanted to and set herself free from the everyday lie she was living, she never wanted to marry Cecil and be stuck in that life for the rest of hers, it wasn’t who she truly was. She out of the dark and into the new world. The renaissance of some sort for just her.
6. The most interesting person to me in this novel is George Emerson. He believes he is in love and never gives up on the fact that he is. He also goes about love in a peculiar way. George is very funny about it as well, he does thing’s Lucy won’t like but really will.
1. Letters are used to communicate to other characters. The two ladies, Lucy and Miss. Bartlett, use letters to correspond is a more gossipy way. When the men correspond through letters, they keep a more proper persona.
ReplyDelete2. Lucy uses lying as a defense mechanism in this novel. She does not want others to be aware of how she feels toward certain people. For example to keep people from knowing that she likes George, she lies. From keeping George away, she lies to him saying she is in love with Cecil.
3. The ending of Cecil and Lucy triggered the title “The End of The Middle Ages”. Symbolically, Cecil is the middle Ages. The end of Cecil and Lucy is the end of the middle ages.
6. In this novel, I enjoyed George. Because of him, Lucy was able to change as a person. He was outgoing and fun, and was just what Lucy needed.
1. Throughout the novel, Lucy and her family receive letters from family and friends. The letters are very formal and proper. In the letters, the sender describes their lives as better than they are. They either complain to Lucy’s family and make it seem better than they are or they over exaggerate.
ReplyDelete2. In Chapter XVI, titled “Lying to George,” Lucy demands that George leave at once and never return. She does this to try and suppress her feelings for him. Lucy tells George she loves Cecil and will become his wife soon. George explains to her that her “love” for Cecil is fake and he only wants to be married to have her as his possession. Realizing George is right, Lucy then has to lie to Cecil. In the next chapter Lucy calls off their engagement and justifies it by the argument George gave her. In Chapter XVIII Lucy won’t tell Mr. Beebe, Mrs. Honeychurch, or Freddy the truth about why George left and why the engagement is broken off. Chapter XIX Lucy runs into Mr. Emerson and he tells her how upset George is. Lucy lies to him and says she’s marrying Cecil, but by the end of the Chapter she confesses she isn’t anymore. Lucy knows she has feelings for George but she doesn’t quite know what she wants.
3. The Middle Ages refers to an old fashioned, traditional way of life. In the final chapter, Lucy and George are married and staying in the Bertolini. The title of the final chapter is in reference to how Lucy broke English social codes and married someone of a lesser class. She turned down men her mother had chosen and did what she wanted to do.
4. I think the end of the novel is abrupt and short. Throughout the story I assumed Lucy and George would end up together but when we find out they’re together, they have already eloped and are on vacation. There was nothing building up to this moment and there weren't any objections from her family about her decision. The ending doesn't describe how they got there or what Lucy’s family thought of it.
1. The letters written from Miss. Allen and Charlotte Bartlett are formal and set in a business type format. They both use their opinions about their feeling and towards other characters in the novel. The style of their communication didn’t differ from there time in person to the letters. Interacts with one another did not change throughout the novel between either character.
ReplyDelete2. Chapter XVI Lucy had told George Emerson that she did not truly believe she was in love with him. With that said she proceeds to continue her journey to seek her love elsewhere.
Chapter XVII Lucy then discovers her feelings for Cecil are not the same. She then Breaks her engagement off and ruins yet another romance in her life. She is very indecisive of her love and continually lies about her feelings.
Chapter XVIII Lucy doesn’t want to visit with the Emerson’s but her mind slowly changes as she realizes her true love might really George Emerson. She lies to George and keeps her feelings to herself.
Chapter XIX Lucy Lies to Charlotte about her love for George Emerson. She refuses to tell Charlotte about her love life and will not speak about her feelings.
3. In the final chapter “The end of the middle ages” George Emerson final finds happiness by being with the love of his life Lucy Honeychurch. He hopes to continue his future with Lucy and wishes the best of luck for both of them. They have finally reunited their mysterious love.
4. In the end I believe the love and affection Lucy and George find between each other is real and true. I am rather happy that they overcome all the differences and patch up all the bad times they have had throughout the novel. They are a perfect match for each other and now that they have each other they are guaranteed a lifetime of happiness.
1. The letters in the novel plays an important role in the novel because it is the main form of communication because in Victorian England phones were not invented yet. The letters also establish some background information about the world around the Honeychurch manor. The letters are in a more informal style of writing from the way the women of the novel talk to each other out loud.
ReplyDelete2. When Lucy is lying to all the people named in the title of the chapter. She is lying about what is really going on. With George it is that she doesn’t love him and with Cecil it is that she is not calling off the marriage because of George. With mgr. Beebe and everyone named at the title of chapter, she is lying about the real reason she is going to Greece and finally with Mr. Emerson, she is lying about her love to George.
3. The meaning of the final chapter represents the change of Lucy from a medieval woman to a normal woman because she did chose that she didn’t want to marry Cecil and medieval women were not able to choose whether or not to marry or have children
6. George Emerson was the most intriguing because he took life to the fullest and didn't hold back when expressing his love to Lucy. He didn't care when she about marry Cecil and kissed her. George Emerson didn't hold back and that’s why he is the most intriguing.
1. The characters in the novel write to each other often. They do this to see if they can come visit, and often just to let their friends know what is going on in their lives. What I found interesting was how the dialect used in the letters didn’t differ from that used in spoken conversation. These people always speak as if they are reading aloud from a formal written letter.
ReplyDelete2. It all starts with Lucy lying to herself, telling herself that she doesn’t love George Emerson. She still feels as though she must be a proper lady, even if she must swear off marriage forever. First, Charlotte lies to George. She tells him she doesn’t love him. Then she lies to Cecil. She breaks off their engagement, and tells him there’s not another man. The other man is George, but Lucy won’t admit this to herself or Cecil. Then Lucy lies to her family and Mr. Beebe. She says she wants to go to Greece to let things blow over about the broken off engagement. But she is really running from her feelings for George Emerson. At this point, she can’t even stand to be around him. Lucy last lies to Mr. Emerson, telling him that she doesn’t love his son. Lucy puts on a face to everyone, that she can’t marry Cecil, but she is content, and not in love with George. This is obviously untrue.
3. Cecil represents the middle ages. As we learned before, Lucy is not the medieval woman. George represents the Enlightenment, which fostered the Romantic age, represented here by Miss Lucy Honeychurch. When Lucy is with George in Italy, her “age” with Cecil ends. She is enlightened, and admits to herself that she is in love with George. Now, she can flourish as her own person.
6. I think that Freddy Honeychurch is a very interesting character. Lucy’s younger brother, he is fun, boisterous, silly, and sometimes foolish. But he is wiser than many of the grown people at Windy Corner, because he knows the importance of having fun and making jokes. Freddy serves as a foil to the rest of the people at Windy corner, as well as a foil to Lucy. While she struggles to be herself and still conform to societal norms, Freddy is himself, without worrying so much about etiquette.
1. The written correspondence in the book is a way for characters to talk more candidly. Sometimes the things that you want to say to someone are much better written than spoken. Although the characters use the letters for formal talk as well as informal chatter, it seems as though the letters are a way for the characters to say things they wouldn’t say in person. The letters from Lucy and Charlotte show that Lucy says things in the letters that she wouldn’t normally say in person.
ReplyDelete2. Lucy lies to nearly every important character in the last few chapters of the novel. Lucy Lies to George by telling him he does not have feelings for him. Lucy lies to Cecil by telling him there isn’t another guy she is in love with. Lucy also lies to everyone for not telling them about the breakoff of the engagement. Lucy lies to conceal her true feelings and to hide the truth from everyone. She thinks everyone will be upset with her and will resent her for the choices she has made.
3. The last chapter title is “The End of the Medieval Ages”. This is obviously the end of the book, but also signifies a change in certain characters mentalities and attitudes. An early chapter title that referenced the medieval ages, had to do with Lucy being in the dark. She was in dark times and could be considered an introvert. In the end of the story, she moved from the darkness into the light when she realized her true feelings, and began to think differently.
4. Seeing Lucy with George was great. Although the ending seemed predictable in some parts of the book, I wasn’t completely certain that George and Lucy would end up together. I think everyone wanted Lucy and George to end up together. It was good to see that after all of the things Lucy went through, that she ended up with her true love. George is someone who doesn’t view her as an object but as an individual with room for growth and improvement.
1. When characters communicate with each other by the means of a letter, the just recede further into their habit of hiding from the truth. When Mrs Honeychurch sends a letter to the Vyse’s family, she frets over the syntax--how it will sound and how it will be received by the other characters. It’s just another perpetuation of their fear of stepping outside of the status quo.
ReplyDelete2. Chapters 16 through 19 are just Lucy in denial of her true feelings for George. In chapter 16, George tells her that she cannot marry Cecil and even though Lucy realizes he’s right, she refuses him anyway. Thus lying to George. In the next chapter after she breaks off her engagement with Cecil, she doesn’t “lie” to him until she fervently and unnecessarily insists to him that she is not leaving him for another man. Lies again. Then again in the next chapter Lucy appeals to her family to let her go to Greece, telling them she needs to travel (code for staying away from George). And finally when she lies to Emerson, she tells him she can never marry George. But then does.
3. “The End of the Middle Ages” signifies the end of Lucy’s oppression. The Middle Ages motif in this novel represents the life she had with Cecil and the people who live in Windy Corner. Cecil is described earlier in the novel as mediaeval, and even earlier Lucy says that she does not identify with mediaeval women. History repeats itself for Lucy Honeychurch. The end of Middle Ages for her is followed by a renaissance--her own time of rebirth and passion.
6. I really enjoyed Mr. Emerson. If he was in a scene, he was usually my favorite part. I just really appreciated the frankness he provided in this novel where no one tells the truth. It was so entertaining to watch him with all of his liberal views interact with all of these stuffy women and their recycled opinions.
Miguel Bustamante
ReplyDelete1. Naturally a letter differs from verbal communication simply because more time and preparation can go into writing the letter. In the story a perfect example of this is when Lucy’s mother is writing to Cecil’s mother in regards to Lucy and Cecil. No doubt she either had to edit the letter or not send it since in the middle of the letter Lucy accepts Cecil’s proposal. The way in which they, being the more reserved characters in the story, communicate through the letters is rather similar to how they talk. Of course not riddled with colloquial language but with “tact” and hints to their wishes or the gravity of their wishes. Like everything they do they choose the words they pick carefully and what they say because they are trying to give a certain appearance. These letters are just another way of keeping up appearances; tools in the art of persuasion, and candor. “Never underestimate a well written letter”- “Jane Austin Book Club”
2. Lucy towards the end of the novel seems to be spiraling in chaos. She realizes she doesn’t love Cecil but she doesn’t want to admit that she Loves George. In that when she’s masquerading about saying she doesn’t love George, to all who hears it she lies to including herself. She attempts to propagate this lie to everyone. When she breaks off her engagement to Cecil she denies there is another, while true she doesn’t love him and she would break it off regardless, there is a certain George.
3. The significance of the chapter title “End of the Middle Ages” refers to that concept of marring for titles and wealth has come to end and Lucy is marring for love. Not to mention the way in which she marries is a rather radical decision but necessary she elopes, very modern and romanticized.
6. In this story there are rather several characters who are intriguing or most interesting. George for one with his heart in the wind, and wild fun loving personality and his deep pondering of life, is unique. Mr. Emerson who is an odd mix of a classicalist mind, the classifying and practical approach to everything, and transcendentalist, beauty in nature everyone can aspire to greatness. However I like Mr. Beebe, I am not even sure why. Simply perhaps how he goes about in the story involved but from afar. He first spotted Lucy’s character when she played. Not to mention how he moves the story along when he presents information, and opinions. For example the letter from the old ladies who are going to Greece. However, what probably sways my opinion the most would be I like the actor who plays him.
1. In the novel, the letters were used for more formal matters and they were more business-like in style. The letters differ from the way the characters in the novel would speak to each other because when they actually spoke face to face it was more gossipy.
ReplyDelete2. Lucy is lying to everyone to try and get out of her engagement with Cecil, but she individually told people separate lies so that her reasoning behind it didn’t make it seem like she was in love with someone else. Lucy was also lying to herself because she didn’t want to believe that she was actually in love with George.
3. The significance of the title of the final chapter, “The End of the Middle Ages”, is that Lucy is finally able to be her own person. Lucy is no longer living in that age now that she is with George and she can be who she truly wants to be and who she truly is deep down.
4. The way in which the novel ended didn’t really surprise me, but it did make me happy because I was rooting for George and Lucy. The ending wasn’t very surprising because when George and his father moved in near Lucy and her family, it kind of became evident that Lucy and George would end up together.