Howards End: Analysis of Major Characters
"Howards End: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the complex relationships and character dynamics within E.M. Forster's novel, which explores themes of class, connection, and social responsibility in early 20th-century England. Central to the narrative is Henry Wilcox, a wealthy businessman who owns Howards End, a country home that symbolizes the intersection of the characters' lives. His first wife, Ruth Wilcox, dies unexpectedly, leaving behind a note that bequeaths Howards End to Margaret Schlegel, a close friend, but this note is ignored due to its informal nature.
Margaret, portrayed as sensible and supportive, navigates her role as Wilcox's second wife while balancing her loyalty to her sister, Helen, who experiences romantic turmoil and struggles with societal norms. Leonard Bast, a poor clerk entangled in the lives of the Wilcox and Schlegel families, faces tragic consequences stemming from his interactions with them. The Wilcox sons, Paul and Charles, illustrate the generational tensions and moral dilemmas that arise from their father's influence, especially when Charles's violent actions lead to serious repercussions. Collectively, these characters embody the varying social strata and ethical conflicts of their time, making "Howards End" a rich study of human connection and social commentary.
Howards End: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: E. M. Forster
First published: 1910
Genre: Novel
Locale: England
Plot: Domestic realism
Time: Early twentieth century
Henry Wilcox, a prosperous British businessman who has his fair share of domestic bliss and trouble. He owns Howards End, a country home near London, and it is here that the climactic scenes in the novel take place. At the end of his life, he wills Howards End to his second wife, with the understanding that after her death it is to go to the illegitimate child of his second wife's daughter.
Ruth Wilcox, Wilcox's first wife and Margaret Schlegel's good friend. She becomes ill and dies suddenly after writing a note that leaves Howards End to Margaret. Because the note was not part of the formal will, Wilcox and the rest of the family disregard it.
Helen Schlegel, the sister of Wilcox's second wife, who provides much of the continuity of the novel's narrative line. She at one time loved Wilcox's younger son. She has a child by a man Wilcox caused to lose his job. It is her baby that Wilcox learns to love just before his death.
Margaret Schlegel, Wilcox's second wife. She is cool, sensible, cautious. She is a good friend to Wilcox's first wife; it was, in fact, to Margaret that Wilcox's first wife willed Howards End just before she died. Margaret is a faithful wife to Wilcox and a good sister to Helen.
Leonard Bast, a poor, reasonably intelligent, rather neurasthenic worker who loses his job by acting on information Wilcox purposefully provides. His life, by accident, becomes woven into the lives of the Wilcox and Schlegel households. Helen has an illegitimate child by him. He dies of a heart attack caused by the shock of unexpectedly seeing Helen and the trauma of a beating administered to him by Wilcox's older son.
Paul Wilcox, Wilcox's younger son, who loved Helen but had been unable to marry her because both families disapproved of the union.
Charles Wilcox, Wilcox's older son, who is sent to prison for beating Leonard Bast. Though Bast dies of a heart attack and not of the injury sustained in the beating, Charles Wilcox is convicted of manslaughter and sent to prison for three years. His son's trial and conviction break Henry Wilcox's health.
Jacky Bast, Leonard's wife, an older woman who tricks Bast into an unpleasant marriage. She has an unsavory reputation caused as much as anything by the fact that she drinks too much.
Theobald Schlegel, Helen and Margaret's brother.