"A Room with a View" by E.M. Forster
The narrative technique used in the novel “A Room with a View” is the omniscient point of view. The narrator has ensured that he manages to foster a close relationship with the characters. Simultaneous management of characters ensures that the narrator be focused and still be outside the action. Foster allows readers to visualize the privacy of the main characters, for instance, readers are able to know what is going on in the mind of George, Mr. Beebe, Lucy and Cecil.
Foster goes ahead and makes important use of descriptions on the surroundings of the participants, for instance, the omniscient point of view comes to a pause from the actions so as to address the readers directly. The readers thus are able to realize that Lucy is in love with the young Emerson. When acted, the character, acting as Lucy will not be able to realize what is going on; this ensures that readers have a keen consciousness of the narrator to reader bond set up by Foster. From the readers’ peripheral point of view, they are able to realize that Lucy adores George and Foster is able to notice it as well, though this truth is concealed from the participants in the novel themselves.
Further, Foster’s style of narration is in between hopefulness and doubt. In several instances, he is trying to show and describe something but means something else. This is evident when he begins with a particular dream, only to have it affected by scary ways, and he reaffirms it. In addition, Foster does not like revealing an opinion about a character, the reader is expected to make their own understanding.
At the start of the novel, foster shows Lucy’s silliness through his narrative techniques. The reader is able to realize that Lucy is developing into a more mature character, for instance, her break up with Cecil show that she can now make independent choices in life and be responsible for the consequences. This is outlined through the vision of art.
The omniscient point of narration provides a fine example of the highly visual nature of the narrative style and Foster’s dwelling of the gaze on characters, especially the male ones. It is quite evident that Foster favours Mr. Emerson and therefore there are no criticisms against him. Characters in the play are given full lengthy physical description, however, foster shows that he is not that biased towards Miss Bartlett. He faintly criticizes her in his narration.
In conclusion, the narrative style affects the relationships between readers by easily favouring the character or by criticizing characters leaving the readers to make their own opinions. The narrative style in this novel affects the situation by connecting it to something that the audience can refer to, for instance, art and music. As a result, a much more dramatic image of the situation is created in the readers mind.
Works cited
Forster, E. Morgan. A Room with a View. Minnesota: Filiquarian Publishing, LLC. 2008
