The church of St. Croce in Florence, Italy
a painting of St Francis being mourned; the painting is in the church of St. Croce
Note: Giotto is a famous pre-Renaissance Italian painter; Ruskin is a famous writer and art historian from just before Lucy's time; Baedeker is a guidebook (written in English, for English people) that well to do English tourists were known to rely on.
1. What do you make of Miss Lavish?
2. What do you make of the names of people in this book? Emerson, George Emerson, Lucy Honeychurch, Miss Lavish?
3. Is Mr. Emerson inappropriate? Inappropriate to the point of being unsympathetic,
too awkward?
4. In what way is Miss Bartlett annoying in this chapter?
5. Miss Lavish is against Baedeker; Mr. Emerson is in favor of Baedeker. Comment.
I find the name choices in this book to be quite endearing. They are endearing in the same way I found the names in "Harry Potter" endearing. They are creative, humorous, and telling. I enjoy the puns within the names, especially that of Miss Lavish which I think is a stupendous last name. Lavish is commonly defined as: sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious. I think it was an interesting choice for the character of Miss Lavish, who, at least in this chapter, ends up leaving Lucy in the dust.
ReplyDeleteLucy's name makes complete sense to me. Honeychurch seems an appropriate name for such an upright and tender person. Honey is usually thought of in a kind light. It represents sweetness and good things. Church is often thought of as a sign for purity, riotousness, and high morals. So, Lucy is a woman of sweet purity.
I haven't yet decided what to think of the other names in the story, but I think that as I get to know the characters further, their names may be clues to their personalities and actions.
Mrs. Lavish's is a very theatrical woman, who thinks a lot of herself. She is determined to maintain her cultured and intelligent reputation up, and does everything in her power to do so. She is even concerned with keeping up her cultured personality with a fourteen year old girl. Mrs. Lavish's name is quite fitting, as the word lavish insinuates over the top-ness, and possibly (not all the time), what is over the top happens to be superfluous. Similar to how Mrs. Lavish is filled with glitzy and fluffy information, and quips of knowledge, but nothing ever too substantial. For example, she tells Lucy that Florence has a "nice smell" compared to other cities. This passage not only shows the insignificant gem of knowledge she extends, but it also shows how she wants to be looked at as worldly, so she insinuates that she's been other famous cities, thus she is capable of comparing their smells. Mrs. Lavish, is too busy fawning over the Italians to notice their lost and she is too stubborn and doesn't want to give up her pride (thus proving shes not as worldly as she gives off), by asking for directions. In the end Mrs. Lavish ends up deserting Lucy on a street corner outside of a church, which is not a very respectful thing to do. Thus again proving her lack of knowledge in street manners and how inconsiderate and flighty she is.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this chapter so much more thoroughly than the first, as I was able to experience the characters more clearly, and learn more about Mr.Emerson, Lucy, and Miss Lavish, who are all round characters with extreme levels to be revealed.
ReplyDeleteMiss Lavish is not a fan of Baedeker because she wants to travel without a guidebook. She would rather wander the streets as if she knew them like the back of her hand than be told where the hotspots of a city are. She seems as if she would not like people to see her with a Baedeker and assume her to be a tourist, which provides insight into her character. She cares about what strangers think of her. Mr.Emerson, on the other hand, would like to have a book to tell him where he's going, how to get there, and what to do once he is there. He is not necessarily concerned about what strangers think, although he does care about how he treats people, which is exemplified when he goes after the priest to make sure there was no bad air between them.
The names in this book sound, to me, like they belong to people of the higher social class. Names such as Lucy, Bartlett, and Lavish are all names that I can hear being said in Britain at a tea and biscuit event (that is really the image I have in my head). The names Lucy and Charlotte have the meanings "light" and "free" respectively, and both of those meanings are affiliated with higher classes. The name that sticks out the most to me is George. George is a more common name. Its name is also less dainty and fragile sounding, the meaning of it being "earth-worker."
ReplyDeleteI do not think Mr. Emerson is being inappropriate at all. I think that he is simply trying to be kind to Lucy and is not used to dealing with people who believe their class defines how they speak to others. Though Mr. Emerson is clearly encouraging sparks between George and Lucy, he does not do this in a rude manner. I also believe that Lucy most likely is intrigued by George's curious ways, but hears in the back of her head the disapproval from her cousin. If he has grabbed George and Lucy and locked them in a room together, that would be rude. Also, Lucy has proof that Mr. Emerson is a genuine man because of his actions in the church of St. Croce.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I think that the it is noteworthy that previous to our knowing her name, Mrs. Lavish is referred to the clever lady. When I read this last night, I felt a hint of irony in that description, as nobody quite seemed clever enough as to be called such a name. And as for being clever, she acts arrogant towards the Italian people calling it "my Italy." It also seems to be that she doesn't want Lucy to have her guide because she wants to be the smartest, and fears the Baedeker will outsmart her. It puzzles me, though, as to why she simply ditches Lucy.
ReplyDeleteAs to the names of each character, I think George and Lucy represent a uniqueness among the others. They are the only ones not written in their surname. Even Mrs. Bartlett, only slightly older than her cousin, is given a title. This casualness reflects the simplicity present in both characters, at the same time isolating them as potentially more clever characters than the rest (or so I feel).
There are two points in the second chapter that Mr. Emerson supposedly "oversteps his bounds" probably according only to the ladies. The first time he tells Lucy "I think that you are repeating what you have heard older people say. You are pretending to be touchy; but you are not really." The diction of this passage implies a less educated man than the usual language used by the so-proper English women, but it definitely gets the point across: Lucy is a tool of her cousin, others too. It seems to be a sort of reality check. At first, Lucy takes offense because she has been nearly brainwashed by her fellow women to believe this man is insane, however his thoughts and logic are the most sane heard yet in this story. The second time he begs her to learn with his son. I think even at one point he says "fall in love." If he means it in a literal way, then there is most certainly a double meaning; if not then he wants her to learn the ways of normality and stop listening to the fools that are her acquaintances (I would hesitate to call Mrs. Lavish a friend). In the end her reaction of storming off seems to be like she knows what he means, but she is most unwilling to accept that. I foresee her acceptance of his ideas and switching of sides in this book.
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ReplyDeleteI think that the names of the characters in this book are very over-exaggerated, funny, and straight-forward. Each of the names seem to have very different connotations and represent the people in the book very well.
ReplyDeleteEmerson and George Emerson, both have the same last name, obviously, because they are both related, however they not only have similar personalities, they are also very classic, yet interesting. Both Mr. Emerson, and his son George Emerson are very eclectic, and proper. They are very intriguing and interesting.
Lucy Honeychurch is very unique, and I particularly enjoy her character. She seems much more sensible than everyone else, mature, and responsible. She reminds me of an understanding, tender, motherly figure in the novel. In my opinion, Lucy's name really reminds me of a "goody-two-shoes." Someone who always follows the rules, doesn't mean to cause trouble, harm, or disagreements, and is genuinely a very good person. I LoVe LuCy!!! :)
Then there's Miss Lavish. Her name is wonderfully blunt and humorous. I think it describes her well though, she doesn't seem to hesitate when she has something to say or do. I also think she enjoys the finer things in life, as well as the "finer" people in life. She likes surrounding herself with beautiful people, places, and things. To be direct, she plainly enjoys very lavish things. :) Her name says it all. She also seems to be very confident in herself, and from a nice, fortunate upbringing.
I find the names in the book to be quite interesting. They each have a certain flavor of the character they represent. Lucy Honeychurch for example, she is sweet and is always looking for the best in people. She is rather naive and is very innocent. Innocent in a way that could be holy perhaps. Thus we get her name Honeychurch. Charlotte Bartlett sounds very robust and determined, which she is to a certain degree. That name doesn't have the same quality of innocence as Lucy Honeychurch, as better to reflect the character's age.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore the names of the characters in this chapter. I mean, Lavish, Honeychurch? They're just wonderful. And I love the connotations that the names bring. Especially with Miss Lavish. She's very into grand things, which her name completely reflects.
ReplyDeleteAnd Honeychurch's connotation is just rididculous. She is exactly the kind to have a name like that. She is a sweet, loving woman who is easy to adore.
Each character's name is so comical!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Bartlett's name sounds like a barking dog- which is accurate to some level. She is always taking away others' peace and joy. Although she just wants to maintain order and be proper, which are good intentions, she drains all of the positive energy from the room.
Lucy Honeychurch's name just makes me laugh. Just by her name, we can probably assume that she is somewhat of a whimsical and selfless character. In this novel, she constantly is searching for what she wants and is trying to figure out her role. She is a truly thoughtful and sweet character, and has skill, but does not fully pursue what she wants.
Charlotte Bartlett could be considered as being very annoying in this chapter for many reasons. One being that she is very passive aggressive. She’s a bitter, annoying, single woman who tries to pretend she’s not this way. However, despite attempts, she can’t quite pull it off, and she seems to be amused by acting mean, imposing, and ridiculously strict about the unreasonable rules of the polite world on her young cousin, Lucy. We don’t really know what Charlotte’s motives are, but we do know that they’re certainly not as innocent as she tries to make Lucy believe they are. This attitude and almost egotistical personality that Charlotte has can make her feel quite annoying in this particular chapter.
ReplyDeleteThe most annoying thing of all that she does I think though is that in the beginning of the chapter she says that Lucy cannot travel alone through Florence. Then, midway through the chapter, Charlotte runs after some guy leaving Lucy alone. This is very hypocritical of Charlotte, and these actions can not help the reader feel that Charlotte is annoying.
I find miss Lavish to be exceedingly annoying. She, like Mrs. Bartlett, thinks herself better than the "common" folk that are all around her. She also advises Lucy about her class in regards to these people, but thinks herself kind when advising her to be respectful towards them. It also bothers me how conceited she is in regards to Florence. She calls it "her city", and acts as if she truly does own it and know everything about it, which is clearly untrue due to the fact that she gets her and Lucy lost on their way to the church. Not only does she find herself better than the common folk around her, but she thinks she's better than many of her fellow tourists. She suggests that all travelers must take a test to prove their worthiness of visiting Italy, one that she is sure she would receive full marks. And of course, when she leaves Lucy alone at the church it only emphasizes how self centered she is. Without a second thought she leaves a young girl in strange place, with no means of help, to fend for herself in order to speak with one of her past acquaintances. Disgusting.
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