Forster, E. M.: 1879-1970

Howards End, 1910 - Information About the Book

General Information | Facts | Commentary | Articles | Podcasts

General Information
- Good for Discussing:
  Class Conflict
  Social Change
  Moral Struggle
- "Howards End" tells the story of two independent and unconventional sisters and the men in their lives seeking love and meaning as they navigate an ever-changing world. See Summary.
- Information from Wikipedia
- Information from Britannica
- Information from Encyclopedia
- See also Zadie Smith: "On Beauty", which shares a thematic connection.
- E. M. Forster’s inspiration for writing “Howards End.”
  
  Forster’s deep attachment to his childhood home, Rooksnest, profoundly influenced “Howards End.” Rooksnest represented English country values, such as a connection to place and a contemplative life, which were threatened by urbanization and industrialization during the Edwardian era. This attachment is mirrored in the novel’s setting, Howards End, which symbolizes the continuity and tranquility of rural England.
  Forster’s experiences with social class divisions and cultural disparities are evident in “Howards End.” His distaste for the English school system, developed during his time at Tonbridge Wells, likely contributed to his critical portrayal of societal structures and class conflicts in the novel.
Facts
- Awards: In 1998, the Modern Library ranked Howards End ^38th on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. Furthermore it won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1910, marking it as a significant work of fiction.
- Why no apostrophe?
  - Howards End has no apostrophe, an error which apparently irritated Forster every time he saw it. From The Writer's Almanac
  - Another answer: The omission of apostrophes in proper names is not uncommon in literature and place names. Examples include "Finnegans Wake," "Barons Court," and "Harrods". This suggests that Forster may have been following a literary convention of his time.
  - Yet the lack of the apostrophe in the title "Howards End" has been a subject of curiosity and debate among readers and literary enthusiasts. While there is no definitive answer provided by Forster himself.
- Topics
  
  Class and Privilege
  The novel contrasts the wealthy Wilcox family with the intellectual but less affluent Schlegel siblings, highlighting the stark divide between the privileged upper class and those of more modest means like the impoverished clerk Leonard Bast. It critiques the entrenched class system and inequality of early 20th century England.
  Capitalism
  As an Edwardian novel set during industrialization, Howards End criticizes the capitalist drive for profit at the expense of human welfare, as seen in the plight of the Basts. Forster suggests capitalism promotes cold self-interest over compassion. Colonialism and Imperialism Written at the height of the British Empire, the novel subtly critiques the subjugation of foreign territories and peoples that enabled England's supremacy, revealing the flaws and moral contradictions of imperialism.
  
  Gender
  Forster challenges sexist beliefs about women's inferiority by depicting intelligent, conviction-driven female characters like the Schlegel sisters who defy societal restrictions on their gender. Yet he shows how deeply entrenched sexism is.
  
  Connection Across Divides
  The novel's famous epigraph "Only connect..." serves as a humanist call to form personal bonds across boundaries of class, gender, beliefs etc. Margaret's marriage to Henry Wilcox symbolically unites opposing value systems.
  
  In essence, Howards End uses the lens of three contrasting families to examine and critique the rigid class, gender, and social conventions of Edwardian England while advocating for greater human connection and equality.
- This is an Edwardian novel. Edwardian novels reflected the changing sensibilities and social transitions of the early 20th century in Britain; written mainly during the reign of King Edward VII in Britain from 1901 to 1910.
- General Perception
  
  The novel is praised for its nuanced portrayal of characters from different social backgrounds and its exploration of their interconnected lives.
  The house itself, Howards End, becomes a central symbol in the novel, representing tradition, heritage, and a connection to the land. Its ownership and fate become intertwined with the characters' destinies, reflecting broader themes of belonging and identity.
  
  Critically acclaimed for its insightful social commentary and rich character development, "Howards End" remains a significant work in English literature, highlighting Forster's skill in portraying complex human relationships and societal issues with empathy and depth.
- Reader Rating:
Commentary
- E.M. Forster’s "Howards End" is a profound exploration of class, privilege, and gender dynamics in early 20th-century England. Through the intersecting lives of the Schlegels, Wilcoxes, and Basts, Forster critiques the socioeconomic divide, exposing the precarious existence of the impoverished and the moral blindness of the wealthy. Leonard Bast’s struggles, such as his anxiety over a lost umbrella, symbolize the harsh realities faced by the lower classes, contrasting sharply with the Schlegels’ intellectual idealism and financial security. Forster challenges his readers to confront these disparities with empathy and awareness .
  The novel also critiques entrenched gender roles. Margaret Schlegel’s marriage to Henry Wilcox highlights her gradual compromise of feminist ideals to conform to societal expectations, ultimately prioritizing her husband’s needs over her own principles. This dynamic underscores the persistence of sexism and its stifling effect on women’s autonomy . Ultimately, Howards End calls for connection—between classes, genders, and ideals—as a pathway to mutual understanding and societal progress.
Articles: General Information | Detailed/Scholarly Information
- General Information:
- Review: "The article gives a basic overview of the book and some themes but is mostly personal and surface‑level." fictivestina; October 28, 2016
- An introduction to the main theme of Howards End - the class system in England in 1910 and the relationships between classes: "The video gives a clear introduction to key themes like class divisions and human connection in Howards End (1910), outlining the social context and main narrative points rather than providing a deep scholarly analysis."
- An excellent beginning: "The article gives a moderately informative summary and critique, highlighting key characters and themes but focusing mainly on narrative and some insights rather than deep literary analysis." The Guardian; June 15, 2002
- Why "Howards End" Is so Relevant and Infuriating Right Now: "The article offers a moderately informative take, linking the BBC adaptation to themes of feminism and privilege with some insight into characters and context, but it doesn’t deeply analyse Forster’s original 1910 novel itself." Erin Donnelly; November 12, 2017
- Leonard Bast and the Desire for the Transcendent in Howards End: "The artilcle offers a thoughtful, theme‑focused analysis that highlights Leonard Bast’s struggle between material reality and the desire for the transcendent, giving clear interpretive insights into his character and symbolic role in the novel." Medium; October 18, 2023
- Detailed/Scholarly Information:
- Review: "The article gives a detailed, thoughtful analysis of Howards End, discussing its themes, characters, symbolism, social context, and philosophical insights." Amita Basu; July 4, 2021
- The ultimate lesson of Howards End is tolerance: "The article gives a thoughtful, personal reflection on Howards End and its themes, especially the idea of tolerance and “only connect,” with some life‑long perspective but isn’t a deep academic analysis of the novel itself." The Guardian; August 18, 2014
- Notes Towards an Analysis of Forster’s Novel: "The article gives a focused and insightful thematic analysis, especially around its treatment of houses, dwelling, and modernity in the novel. It explores Forster’s ambivalent view of modern life, the symbolic role of homes (like Howards End and London residences), and philosophical ideas about space and imagination, using thinkers like Bachelard and Heidegger to deepen the discussion." Oliver Tearle; December 2019
- Music in "A Room With a View" and "Howards End": "The article does meaningfully analyse Howards End, situating its musical references (e.g., Beethoven’s Fifth) within a broader discussion of conflicting nineteenth‑ and twentieth‑century aesthetics and cultural change." Academia; Volume 59, 2016
- Thematic analysis of hospitality: "The article offers a deep and thematically rich analysis, focusing on the concept of hospitality as a key lens through which to interpret the novel’s social, ethical, and romantic dimensions, including class interaction and spiritual transcendence." Polish Journal of English Studies; 2024
- Interpretation of Leonard Bast’s Death: "The article offers a focused academic interpretation by analyzing Leonard Bast’s death as symbolic of class and cultural conflict." Clausius Press Academic; 2024
Podcasts:
- An introduction to the major themes
  "The podcast gives a clear, academic‑level introduction to the major themes, characters, and social contexts."