Howards End: A Tale of Two Families and a Legacy
The Schlegels and the Wilcoxes: A Study in Contrasts
The story begins by introducing two families: the unconventional Schlegels and the traditional Wilcoxes. The Schlegels are three orphaned siblings—Margaret, Helen, and Tibby—with an academic, quirky, and liberal background. In contrast, the Wilcoxes, represented by Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox and their children, Charles, Paul, and Evie, are wealthy and industrious. The Schlegels inherited their wealth and spend their time discussing art, politics, and literature.
Unexpected Connections and a Fateful Decision
The two families cross paths at various points, but a brief and embarrassing romance between Helen and Paul creates tension. Despite this, Margaret and Mrs. Wilcox form an unlikely friendship. Before her sudden death, Mrs. Wilcox makes a surprising change to her will, leaving her beloved family home, Howards End, to Margaret. The Wilcoxes, believing Margaret has no right to the house, disregard the change.
Leonard Bast: A Tragic Counterpoint
The Schlegels befriend Leonard Bast, a lower-middle-class young man with intellectual aspirations, hindered by his lack of funds and his wife, Jacky. Leonard’s life contrasts sharply with the Schlegels’ effortless bohemianism and the Wilcoxes’ bustling business world. He constantly yearns for more than he can attain. Due to a series of unfortunate events, including advice from Henry Wilcox that the Schlegels passed on, Leonard loses his job and falls into even worse circumstances. Helen blames Henry for their friend’s downfall.
Scandal and Shifting Relationships
Against all odds, Henry and Margaret’s friendship blossoms into romance, and they marry despite their differences. A scandal later emerges: Leonard’s wife, Jacky, was once Henry’s mistress, whom he abandoned abroad, contributing to her low social standing. This revelation strains Henry and Margaret’s relationship. The sisters drift apart as Margaret becomes more involved with the Wilcoxes. Their relationship reaches a low point when Helen tries to persuade Henry to financially assist the Basts, which he refuses due to his past with Jacky.
A Shocking Turn of Events
Helen, deeply sympathetic to Leonard’s plight, has an affair with him, resulting in her pregnancy. She flees to Germany to hide her condition but eventually returns to England. Henry and Margaret confront her at Howards End, where the truth is revealed. Margaret compels Henry to forgive Helen, just as she forgave him for his affair with Jacky. In a fit of rage, Charles, Henry’s son, accidentally kills Leonard with a sword for bringing shame upon the family and is imprisoned for manslaughter.
A New Beginning at Howards End
Despite the turmoil, this period marks a new beginning for both families. Henry begins to empathize and connect with others, as Margaret has always encouraged. Ultimately, Henry, Margaret, Helen, and her baby form a new, unified family. The story concludes at Howards End, which Henry bequeaths to Margaret and her nephew, as a beautiful summer arrives, bringing with it a tentative new hope for England.
Key Themes:
- Social Class: The novel explores the complexities of social class in Edwardian England.
- Family Dynamics: The relationships between the Schlegels and Wilcoxes highlight the challenges and rewards of family life.
- Love and Loss: The story examines the different forms of love and the impact of loss on individuals and families.
- Forgiveness and Redemption: The characters grapple with the consequences of their actions and the possibility of forgiveness and redemption.