A Room With a View · Character

Mr. Emerson

George's blunt, warm-hearted father, whose tactless honesty about love and kindness scandalizes and liberates everyone around him.

supporting

Also known as old Mr. Emerson, that old Mr. Emerson

First appearance: The Bertolini

As a supporting figure in A Room With a View, Mr. Emerson is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Mr. Emerson in The Bertolini Book page

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In The Bertolini: The old Mr. Emerson, who offers to exchange rooms and is described as kind but tactless. Later, in In Santa Croce with No Baedeker: Helps a fallen child in the church; criticizes the frescoes loudly;…

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See Mr. Emerson in The Bertolini

Character Web

11 connections

A slice of how Mr. Emerson sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Main characters and family
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because Lucy reaches an emotional and psychological peak of defiance, finally asse…

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In the story

Mr. Emerson appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Bertolini
The old Mr. Emerson, who offers to exchange rooms and is described as kind but tactless.
In Santa Croce with No Baedeker
Helps a fallen child in the church; criticizes the frescoes loudly; apologizes to Mr. Eager; invites Lucy to join them.
III: Music, Violets, and the Letter S
Mentioned as looking for his son; the Emersons have failed to integrate into Bertolini society.
Possibilities of a Pleasant Outing
Subject of Mr. Eager's slander; accused of murdering his wife, though Lucy defends him.
VI: The Reverend Arthur Beebe, the Reverend Cuthbert Eager, Mr. Emerson, Mr. George Emerson, Miss Eleanor Lavish, Miss Charlotte Bartlett, and Miss Lucy Honeychurch Drive Out in Carriages to See a View; Italians Drive Them
Defends the lovers' happiness against Mr. Eager's interference, arguing that separating them is 'defeat' and 'sacrilege,' and quotes Lorenzo de Medici's line 'Don't go fighting against the Spring.'
Twelfth Chapter
Delivers a philosophical discourse on comradeship and the future Garden of Eden; encourages the bathe.
XV: The Disaster Within
Expresses upset about displacing the Miss Alans; speaks warmly to Lucy about her engagement; shares a philosophical view on views and crowds.
XIX: Lying to Mr. Emerson
Confronts Lucy about her deception, reveals George's despair and his wife's tragic death, and urges Lucy to marry George for the sake of truth.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mr. Emerson in The Bertolini