Howards End

Synopsis

Howards End is novel written by the English novelist Edward Morgan Forster, remembered for his lbrettist thought through his literary works of novels, short stories, poems, and essays. His notable works include A Room with a View , The Celestial Omnibus, Abinger Pageant, Billy Budd, and Where Angels Fear to Tread. This novel explores the social conventions and personal relationships of 19th century England, narrated through three families the Wilcoxes, the Schlegels, and the Basts.

The Wilcoxes family comprises of Henry Wilcox, his wife Mrs. Ruth Wilcox, their sons Charles, Paul, and daughter Evie. Wilcoxes, hailed from capitalist background and do not have any generous attitude towards working class society, except Mrs. Ruth Wilox, who has an inherited property estate Howards End. Mrs. Ruth Wilox is annoyed by her family members, who do not value the historical and sentimental values of Howards End.

The Schlegels family comprises of orphaned sisters Margaret, Tibby, and Helen, believe in social values and relationships. The Basts family comprises of Leonard Bast, employed as a clerk lives a troubled life with his wife Jacky, a vulnerable fallen woman.

Helen falls in love with Paul and quickly finds differences between them and decided to part. This creates havoc in the relationship, however Margaret build affectionate relationship with Mrs. Ruth Wilox, to the extent of Ruth changing her will to make Margaret as her heir. This will is known to the Wilcoxes only after the death of Ruth, and they burn the documents of Margaret’s inheritance.

However during the course of time Henry marries Margaret and both creates a cohesive relationship between their families. Meanwhile a business idea by Henry, makes Leonard to quit his job and soon lands into deep trouble. Helen blames the Wilcoxes for this disaster and soon falls in love with Leonard and gets pregnant. She runs away to another city to avoid the embarrassment.

Meanwhile Henry confesses to Margaret that, he is responsible for the troubled Jacky who has been persuaded and abandoned by Henry, when she was just 16 years old. Meanwhile during a heated argument, Charles kills Leonard accidentally and has been imprisoned for three years. This imprisonment changes the attitude of Wilcoxes and their view on poor people and the low class society.

In the preceding incidents Helen is forgiven by Margaret and the Wilcoxes. Both families reconcile move towards Howards End for a peaceful life. Helen’s daughter has been brought to Howards End to be brought up.

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