Why is it a classic?

Many written works achieve near instantaneous notoriety, and then quickly fade in memory to be forgotten altogether. The books that stand the test of time, that are reprinted and in demand far beyond their first publication, are the classics which often are remembered because of their universal applications and insights into human nature. A Room with a View is one such classic of British literature. E.M. Forster does a beautiful job of examining human, and more specifically a woman's nature. His character's confidence and her decision to go against society's expectations makes this book very memorable.
Much of the focus in this novel is on women, as it is told from a young woman's perspective and several other of the more outspoken characters are women or at least respect women and their opinions. Forster uses his work to analyze the place of women in society and more broadly, question society itself and the ranking system within it. This highly debatable subject ensures that the novel will continue to stand the test of time because it cannot be forgotten until the unsolvable issues are resolved. It indirectly questions the Christian religion as well, because the novel implies that women should be equal to men not waiting for them to lead and speak first. Every culture will have their own answer to what a woman's place is, and there may be no clear cut right answer, only opinions. However, these questions can be applied to any culture and any group of people which is really the key element of a classic.
A Room with a View can also be analyzed on the level of the plot line as well as the extrapolated issues within it. The story follows one girl, Lucy, through her change from a girl to a woman. This transformation is applicable for all time periods and all people for as long as human beings exist. It is timeless, and writing a novel that follows it relies on the assurance that there will always be an audience for such works because it is universally understandable.
Besides discussing women, this book is also a classic because of its theme of true love. It seeks to define this elusive and abstract quality or idea, which is what many people throughout the world are also seeking. Most people want to experience true love, and inevitably there are many obstacles that stand in the way of such a fairy tale ending. One such obstacle is well known as exemplified by the phrase, "for love or money." In A Room with a View, Lucy has a chance to marry into a high society family and all that that entails, but instead she chooses the simplicity of true love. Dwelling on the drama of this can be very entertaining and emotionally enthralling. Using love can be one of an author's best tools to make sure his or her work is remembered.
This novel is a classic due to its controversial nature, timeless questions, and theme of love. It applies to all people for all time, which means that to ignore it or forget it would be to get rid of or deny part of human nature. This book will continue to last, and it will always have an audience whether people agree with it or not.