Edward Morgan Forster's fourth novel Howards End came out in 1910, the very year in which, according to Virginia Woolf, the human character changed. The novel's influence in English literature is thus dually related to the social climate of the time and the author's treatment of ideas pertaining to the broad question: who will inherit England?
The plot of Howards End is unusually simple and essentially realistic. The Shlegel sisters, Margaret and Helen, who are of German descent, become socially acquainted with the Wilcoxes who are among the English business class, through Helen's crush on Paul Wilcox. The relationship soon slumps without marriage but the social interaction of the two families furthers as a silent war of superiority is initiated between them. Then, Henry Wilcox, the widower head of the Wilcox Family, proposes marriage to Margaret.
A Novel of Ideas: Howards End
E. M. Forster penned Howards End as a novel of ideas. The narration is overly simple--as simple as a fairy tale--with all the charm that enthralls the listener. Language characterizing normal social interaction of classes is the most effective device of the book. No complex rhetorical devices are involved. Forster's humor is light enough to remain in harmony with this mode of social discourse. Forster's wit runs along nearly the same lines as Jane Austen. Aunt July with a strong esprit de classe is the spearhead of Morgan's wit and humor. But even if we could exclude her from the scene, the ease of storytelling would not be much affected.
A Novel of Ideas: Howards End
E. M. Forster penned Howards End as a novel of ideas. The narration is overly simple--as simple as a fairy tale--with all the charm that enthralls the listener. Language characterizing normal social interaction of classes is the most effective device of the book. No complex rhetorical devices are involved. Forster's humor is light enough to remain in harmony with this mode of social discourse. Forster's wit runs along nearly the same lines as Jane Austen. Aunt July with a strong esprit de classe is the spearhead of Morgan's wit and humor. But even if we could exclude her from the scene, the ease of storytelling would not be much affected.
Symbolic Discoveries: Howards End
The rich symbolism in Howards End relies both on characters and situations. The Wilcoxes are all projections of the growing materialism in English society of the early 20th century. They are described as "practical" sort of people who treat all the humanistic notions-suffrage, equality, socialism, and art and literature--as nonsense. This growing and dehumanizing materialism is the main issue of concern for the author.
In stark contrast, the poor clerk, Leonard Bast, and his wife are in a struggle for survival. They represent the dregs of England. They are crushed by the organizational hierarchy in general and by individual men of high position in particular.
Between the two ends of apathy and suffering stand the Schlegel sisters who are well-off but who haven't lost the aesthetic and moral treasure of living. The elder sister, Margaret Shlegel, is the key symbol of maturity and sense, while Helen represents the younger generation of this class. Helen is vulnerable, and she is taken in by the superficial appeal of the materialistic class and the pathetic appeal of society's dregs (seen in her affairs, first with Paul Wilcox and then with Leonard Bast).
Forster symbolically includes the need for peace and spirituality. Mrs. Wilcox (who dies early in the novel) speaks with a healthy indifference to the growing obsession with the material needs of the upper class. Howards End (the family mansion of the Wilcoxes) is a symbol for England, which has been discussed by critics in appreciable detail.
The rich symbolism in Howards End relies both on characters and situations. The Wilcoxes are all projections of the growing materialism in English society of the early 20th century. They are described as "practical" sort of people who treat all the humanistic notions-suffrage, equality, socialism, and art and literature--as nonsense. This growing and dehumanizing materialism is the main issue of concern for the author.
In stark contrast, the poor clerk, Leonard Bast, and his wife are in a struggle for survival. They represent the dregs of England. They are crushed by the organizational hierarchy in general and by individual men of high position in particular.
Between the two ends of apathy and suffering stand the Schlegel sisters who are well-off but who haven't lost the aesthetic and moral treasure of living. The elder sister, Margaret Shlegel, is the key symbol of maturity and sense, while Helen represents the younger generation of this class. Helen is vulnerable, and she is taken in by the superficial appeal of the materialistic class and the pathetic appeal of society's dregs (seen in her affairs, first with Paul Wilcox and then with Leonard Bast).
Forster symbolically includes the need for peace and spirituality. Mrs. Wilcox (who dies early in the novel) speaks with a healthy indifference to the growing obsession with the material needs of the upper class. Howards End (the family mansion of the Wilcoxes) is a symbol for England, which has been discussed by critics in appreciable detail.
The same involvement with symbolism filters through some of the situations that speak for the éclat of Forster as a novelist. A striking instance appears in the fifth chapter when Helen, hurrying out of a concert, takes the umbrella (a symbol of shelter or protection) of Leonrad Bast--by mistake. The possession of an umbrella by a poor man is in itself a symbol of deception (or its need among the poor). The loss of the umbrella brings the critic's concern with class conflict into the limelight. Later, the symbolic act translates into reality when Leonard loses his job when he follows Margaret's advice (which originated from Henry Wilcox).
Another consummation of the story's point through symbolic representation appears in the 25th chapter. Margate has a minor accident, and she jumps out of the car to see if the girl is all right. A car in the early twentieth century was a status symbol. The humanistic spirit (represented by Margaret) thus leaves materialism (Wilcox's car) while hurting itself (Margaret's left hand gets hurt). That Margaret's left hand is hurt is also a significant observation.
And certainly, we cannot help lauding Forster for allowing Margaret (20th century humanism) to take the late Mrs. Wilcox's place by marriage to Mr. Wilcox. The deceased woman was a figure of spiritual peace, content with living in her home at Howards End (England). Now it is up to the less refined but still admired humanism to harness the rich and ruthless hedonists and save England from destruction in the name of progress.
Another consummation of the story's point through symbolic representation appears in the 25th chapter. Margate has a minor accident, and she jumps out of the car to see if the girl is all right. A car in the early twentieth century was a status symbol. The humanistic spirit (represented by Margaret) thus leaves materialism (Wilcox's car) while hurting itself (Margaret's left hand gets hurt). That Margaret's left hand is hurt is also a significant observation.
And certainly, we cannot help lauding Forster for allowing Margaret (20th century humanism) to take the late Mrs. Wilcox's place by marriage to Mr. Wilcox. The deceased woman was a figure of spiritual peace, content with living in her home at Howards End (England). Now it is up to the less refined but still admired humanism to harness the rich and ruthless hedonists and save England from destruction in the name of progress.
