EDWARDIAN ERA (1901-1914) Last period to be named after a monarch In contrast to the strict moral codes of Victoria, and the almost Puritan example of his father Albert, Edward, or "Bertie" as he was known to his friends, loved the luxuries of life. As Prince of Wales, Edward was a playboy, a bon viveur and a gambler. Even though he had married in 1863, he continued to live the bachelor lifestyle He surrounded himself with men who had made their fortunes in trade and finance - the "plutocracy" Led the "fast set" in the conspicuous consumption that so typifies the period.

OVERVIEW OF EDWARDIAN ERA Economic and social changes create mobility. Rising interest in socialism. Common laborers and women become politicized. Attention to plight of poor. Women’s suffrage.

E.M. Forster His life and work

Early life Forster as a child, 1890 Born in 1879 in London. Edward Morgan Forster. Father was an architect Died before Edward was 2. Raised by women - mother and aunts Used money from great aunt to travel and write later in life.

Childhood home, Rooksnest

College Life Attended King’s College of Cambridge between 1897-1901. Member of Apostles. Discussion group. Later became Bloomsbury Group. Virginia Woolf also a member. Enjoyed freedom of intellectual discussions and focus on personal relationships.

After graduation Traveled with his mother to Italy and Greece Gave him material to use later Satire of British tourists Feared anything “foreign” Wrote essays and stories for liberal Independent Review Forster with mother

Tutoring 1905 - tutored in Germany for a Countess’s son. 1906 - tutored Syed Ross Masood Indian Muslim patriot. Grew fond of him. Forster, 1915 Forster with Masood, 1911

Personal life Kept personal life hidden and out of discussion. 1930 - involved in a relationship with a London policeman. Also friends with his wife. Maurice published posthumously.

Travel and work 1912-1913 - Traveled to India with Masood. 1914-1915 - Worked for National Gallery in London. WWI - Worked for Red Cross in Egypt. Wrote poetry while there. 1921 - Returned to India Worked as private secretary to Maharajah of Dewas.

Written work 1905 - Where Angels Fear to Tread 1907 - The Longest Journey 1908 - A Room with a View 1910 - Howard’s End 1924 - A Passage to India 1971 - Maurice

Key themes in Forster’s novels 1. The pursuit of personal connections in spite of the restrictions of contemporary society. 2. The irreconcilability of class differences. 3. Sexuality: the discovery of ones’ own.

A Room with a View Lucy Honeychurch and her nervous chaperone embark on a grand tour of Italy. Alongside sweeping landscapes, Lucy encounters a suspect group of characters — socialist Mr. Emerson and his working-class son George, in particular — who both surprise and intrigue her. When piqued interest turns to potential romance, Lucy is whisked home to England, where her attention turns to Cecil Vyse. But now, with a well-developed appetite for adventure, will Lucy make the daring choice when it comes to love?