Week 4

British Library – Magna Carta

The Magna Carta is an enormously influential document advocating for individual rights throughout history. People like Martin Luther King, Eleanor Roosevelt and Gandhi have all pointed to this historical document in pursuit of furthering civil liberties. The Magna Carta is now more symbolic of what it represents rather than what it actually says, similar to how Briony views her writing in an ethical or historical nature.

Imperial War Museum – “Micky Mouse” Gas Mask

WWII altered much of life for Londoners in the early 20^th century, including children. In order to keep even a small semblance of childhood in tact, young kids would make funny noises while needing to wear gas masks during an attack that helped them laugh, even when they were scared. Briony was also forced to grow up quickly in wartime through nursing school and the need to remain calm and collected while tending wounded soldiers.   

Imperial War Museum – Jolly Boat

The SS Anglo-Saxon was attacked while at sea, leaving only seven remaining crewmen to escape on a “jolly” boat and drift 2,700 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to the Bahamas, through which only two survived. The crewmen carved these notches as a way to keep time and sanity while at sea, much like Robbie’s tactic of remembering letters from Cecilia on his trek to Dunkirk.

Imperial War Museum – London Underground

Despite massive effects of the war, Londoners were encouraged to continue on with their lives as normal. During the Blitz, many people would be out and about at work or running errands and public places became shelter during bombings as shown here in an underground. Cecilia was a victim of these attacks in the bombing of the Belham Underground where she was killed.

Florence Nightingale Museum – Stain Glass Window

Florence Nightingale was a huge proponent for the advancements in nursing, instituting organization and strict skillsets into the profession. Like Briony, she went against expected societal norms for her life to pursue a career that she believed could service others.

Florence Nightingale Museum – Journal

Florence was a writer as well as a nurse and published multiple books in order to continue the education of nursing students. She felt it was necessary to keep records of what she learned and successful practices for later generations to continue on. Briony also believed in the idea of passing on knowledge and keeping historical record of what actually happened through her writing, as those who were really present would not be able to.  

Week Three

Sloan Museum - Sarcophagus 

John Sloan valued the history of power in culture for his collection to showcase his Grand Tour, highlighting the sarcophagus of an Egyptian King through his architectural design. 

Sloan Museum - Hogarth

Sloan's acquisition of paintings by Hogarth demonstrate how he saw value in the Grand Tour by appreciating views, particularly from Italy, that helped shaped English politics, similar to Lucy's expectations at the beginning of A Room with a View.  

National Portrait Gallery - Caballeto - Venice on the Grand Canal

This painting is a depiction of a festival held in Venice, celebrating the city's relationship with its waters and a depiction of what an Englishman might want to see while traveling. 

National Portrait Gallery - Unknown - An Old Man Holding a Pilgrim Bottle

This painting is a reflection of what it means to be a traveler; the old man is remembering his journey, not to famous locations, but to small inns and towns where he felt and experienced the most.

Tate Modern - JMW Turner - St. Benedetto: Looking Towards Fusina

Turner's painting of a fictional place in Italy helped depict what he thought was most important on The Grand Tour. His lack of detail and focus on intense color, as in the golden sky, showcases feeling rather than the locations of travel. This perspective was mirrored by George and Mr. Emerson in the novel. 

Week Two

Week 2

Christ Church – Oxford

The fountain in the center of the courtyard at Christ Church is a symbol of the Catholic and highly religious atmosphere perpetuated by the college.

Great Hall – Christ Church – Oxford

The Great Hall depicts many portraits of influential figures in the founding of the college including King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I; this expressed high expectations of success for those attending.

Eltham Palace – Sitting Room

A sculpture captioned “Mystic East” demonstrates the residents' oppressive and limited western world view, representative of the idea of the Other which characterizes all non-western identities as exotic or alternative.

Eltham Palace – Garden

Contrasting architectural styles of Tudor and Baroque come together after Eltham Palace was restored in the 1930s; a physical demonstration of the State's move from Catholicism to Protestant association.

Hampton Court Palace – William III Apartment

King William III constantly reminded his subjects that he was royal, despite not being royal by blood, with large, extravagant portraits of himself showcased around his chambers, most including religious, Protestant symbolism.

Hampton Court Palace – East Front Gardens

Lavish gardens show the wealth and power of the royal family.

Week One

Demonstrating the value of welcoming children through acts of Jesus as he encourages a disciple to care for them as he does.

For further religious incentive, powerful figures were depicted as foundlings, like Moses, as a way to represent their worth.

The drawing room was generally used by the family of the household and servants, like Jane, were only allowed when summoned; their time was not their own.

Governess' lived a solitary life, spending most of their free time in a small room as they were not usually welcomed as part of their employers' upper class.

A mistress was often at the mercy of her "boyfriend" as her well being relied heavily on his provision of a living space which insinuates an unfair power dynamic.

The mistress is hopeful in returning to her previous life, beyond the room where she is kept.