# XI: In Mrs. Vyse’s Well-Appointed Flat explained — A Room With a View

> Chapter companion for A Room With a View by E. M. Forster.

## What happens

Lucy visits Mrs. Vyse's London flat, where she and Cecil grow closer. She receives a warning letter from Charlotte about the Emersons moving nearby, but Lucy dismisses her concerns. At a dinner party, Lucy plays Schumann instead of Beethoven, impressing Mrs. Vyse, who declares Lucy is becoming 'one of us.' Later, Lucy has a nightmare, and Mrs. Vyse comforts her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Snobbery

Mrs. Vyse comments on Lucy purging the 'Honeychurch taint' and becoming 'one of us,' reflecting class distinctions.

### Repression vs. Passion

Lucy's nightmare and her secret about the Emersons suggest repressed emotions beneath her composed exterior.

## Character check-ins

### Lucy Honeychurch

Visits Mrs. Vyse's flat, receives a letter from Charlotte, plays Schumann at a dinner party, and has a nightmare.

### Cecil Vyse

Becomes more demonstrative with Lucy, discusses her music with his mother, and plans their January wedding.

### Mrs. Vyse

Hosts Lucy, praises her transformation, and comforts her after a nightmare.

### Charlotte Bartlett

Writes a warning letter to Lucy about the Emersons moving nearby.

### Miss Lavish

Reported by Charlotte to have seen George Emerson near Summer Street.

## Key lines

> The Comic Muse, though able to look after her own interests, did not disdain the assistance of Mr. Vyse.

Cecil helped arrange the Emersons' move, and fate seemed to cooperate.

_Narrator's ironic tone about Cecil's role in bringing the Emersons to Windy Corner._

> Lucy was at first plunged into despair, but settled after a little thought that it did not matter the very least.

Lucy initially felt upset about the Emersons moving nearby but convinced herself it was unimportant.

_Lucy's internal conflict about the Emersons' proximity._

> Secrecy has this disadvantage: we lose the sense of proportion; we cannot tell whether our secret is important or not.

Keeping secrets makes it hard to judge their true significance.

_Narrator's reflection on the burden of Lucy's secret._

## Links

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