Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who wrote Howards End?
Who wrote Howards End?
E.M. Forster
What is the setting of Howards End?
What is the setting of Howards End?
It is a British novel set in London at the turn of the 20th century.
Who is writing the letter in chapter 1 and to whom?
Who is writing the letter in chapter 1 and to whom?
Helen is writing to Margaret.
Who is Margaret Schlegel?
Who is Margaret Schlegel?
Where is Helen at in the first few chapters?
Where is Helen at in the first few chapters?
Who lives at Howards End?
Who lives at Howards End?
What do Margaret and Helen think the Wilcoxes would be like?
What do Margaret and Helen think the Wilcoxes would be like?
Why couldn't Margaret go to Howards End as asked?
Why couldn't Margaret go to Howards End as asked?
Who is Tibby?
Who is Tibby?
What is the first mention of masculinity?
What is the first mention of masculinity?
What is Mrs. Wilcox doing out in the garden?
What is Mrs. Wilcox doing out in the garden?
What are Charles and Mr. Wilcox practicing?
What are Charles and Mr. Wilcox practicing?
What exercises does Evie do?
What exercises does Evie do?
What does Mr. Wilcox do that Helen likes?
What does Mr. Wilcox do that Helen likes?
Who does Helen fall in love with at the beginning of the novel?
Who does Helen fall in love with at the beginning of the novel?
Who is Helen Schlegel?
Who is Helen Schlegel?
Who is Margaret, Helen, and Tibby's aunt?
Who is Margaret, Helen, and Tibby's aunt?
Where did the Schlegels meet the Wilcox parents?
Where did the Schlegels meet the Wilcox parents?
Where do the Schlegels live?
Where do the Schlegels live?
What is Wickham Place?
What is Wickham Place?
Who is Mrs. Munt?
Who is Mrs. Munt?
How does Mrs. Munt interpret Margaret?
How does Mrs. Munt interpret Margaret?
Why does Mrs. Munt stop speaking harshly about Germans and claims the Schlegel children as fully British?
Why does Mrs. Munt stop speaking harshly about Germans and claims the Schlegel children as fully British?
Why is Mrs. Munt unsure about Margaret going to see Helen at Howards End?
Why is Mrs. Munt unsure about Margaret going to see Helen at Howards End?
What does being spontaneous make up for in Margaret?
What does being spontaneous make up for in Margaret?
Why does Margaret ask Mrs. Munt to go to Howards End?
Why does Margaret ask Mrs. Munt to go to Howards End?
What does Margaret tell Mrs. Munt to do when she gets to Howards End?
What does Margaret tell Mrs. Munt to do when she gets to Howards End?
What train station does Margaret take Mrs. Munt to?
What train station does Margaret take Mrs. Munt to?
What does King's Cross suggest to Margaret?
What does King's Cross suggest to Margaret?
What does the last telegram from Helen tell Margaret?
What does the last telegram from Helen tell Margaret?
What is the name of the Schlegel children's mother?
What is the name of the Schlegel children's mother?
What happened to Emily?
What happened to Emily?
What stocks do Helen and Margaret invest in that Mrs. Munt doesn't like?
What stocks do Helen and Margaret invest in that Mrs. Munt doesn't like?
What stocks does Mrs. Munt tell the girls to invest in?
What stocks does Mrs. Munt tell the girls to invest in?
At the time, what are actresses seen as?
At the time, what are actresses seen as?
Where is Howards End located?
Where is Howards End located?
Who does Mrs. Munt meet at the train station after getting to the country?
Who does Mrs. Munt meet at the train station after getting to the country?
Why does Charles tell Mrs. Munt that he is the 'younger Mr. Wilcox'?
Why does Charles tell Mrs. Munt that he is the 'younger Mr. Wilcox'?
Despite Charles being nice to Mrs. Munt, how does he treat the station workers?
Despite Charles being nice to Mrs. Munt, how does he treat the station workers?
How is Charles rude to the station workers?
How is Charles rude to the station workers?
Why does Charles get mad while driving him and Mrs. Munt to Howards End?
Why does Charles get mad while driving him and Mrs. Munt to Howards End?
Why does Mrs. Munt listen to Charles when he asks her to lower her voice?
Why does Mrs. Munt listen to Charles when he asks her to lower her voice?
Why is Paul going to Africa?
Why is Paul going to Africa?
What comment does Charles make that makes Mrs. Munt mad?
What comment does Charles make that makes Mrs. Munt mad?
Who is the voice in the garden when Mrs. Munt and Charles first get to Howards End?
Who is the voice in the garden when Mrs. Munt and Charles first get to Howards End?
Who is the owner of Howards End?
Who is the owner of Howards End?
Describe Mrs. Wilcox.
Describe Mrs. Wilcox.
Where does Mrs. Wilcox tell Helen to take Mrs. Munt?
Where does Mrs. Wilcox tell Helen to take Mrs. Munt?
What does Mrs. Wilcox tell Paul to do?
What does Mrs. Wilcox tell Paul to do?
What does Charles mean when he asks his mother if she was aware that Paul was being a fool again?
What does Charles mean when he asks his mother if she was aware that Paul was being a fool again?
How does Mrs. Munt distort the past?
How does Mrs. Munt distort the past?
If Helen didn't fall in love with Paul, who did she fall in love with?
If Helen didn't fall in love with Paul, who did she fall in love with?
Why is Helen so quick to abandon what she's been taught?
Why is Helen so quick to abandon what she's been taught?
How is there a halo of romance around Paul?
How is there a halo of romance around Paul?
How does Helen not give herself any slack?
How does Helen not give herself any slack?
How do Helen's feelings last after her moments with Paul?
How do Helen's feelings last after her moments with Paul?
How does Paul behave when Helen goes downstairs?
How does Paul behave when Helen goes downstairs?
How do the Wilcoxes focus on their outer selves but not their inner selves?
How do the Wilcoxes focus on their outer selves but not their inner selves?
How does Mrs. Wilcox find out about Paul and Helen's engagement?
How does Mrs. Wilcox find out about Paul and Helen's engagement?
Why does Helen question what she's taught about the inner self?
Why does Helen question what she's taught about the inner self?
What does it mean by the Wilcoxes 'have their hands on all the ropes'?
What does it mean by the Wilcoxes 'have their hands on all the ropes'?
What is the name of the newspaper often read?
What is the name of the newspaper often read?
What does the Wilcox episode become?
What does the Wilcox episode become?
What type of politics are Margaret and Helen involved in?
What type of politics are Margaret and Helen involved in?
Describe Ernst Schlegel.
Describe Ernst Schlegel.
What was Ernst Schlegel's 'Imperialism of the air'?
What was Ernst Schlegel's 'Imperialism of the air'?
Why was Ernst's gaze 'always fixed beyond the sea'?
Why was Ernst's gaze 'always fixed beyond the sea'?
Why does Ernst tell his haughty German nephew that he thinks Germans are stupid?
Why does Ernst tell his haughty German nephew that he thinks Germans are stupid?
Why does Margaret want her family to debate which side is better?
Why does Margaret want her family to debate which side is better?
What does Helen do in life?
What does Helen do in life?
What does Margaret do in life?
What does Margaret do in life?
What are Aunt Juley, Helen, Margaret, Tibby, Cousin Frieda, and her boyfriend doing at a music concert?
What are Aunt Juley, Helen, Margaret, Tibby, Cousin Frieda, and her boyfriend doing at a music concert?
Who does everyone do at the music concert?
Who does everyone do at the music concert?
Who is Fraulein Mosebach?
Who is Fraulein Mosebach?
What is the name of Cousin Frieda's boyfriend?
What is the name of Cousin Frieda's boyfriend?
What bores Helen during the concert?
What bores Helen during the concert?
Why does Helen leave the concert?
Why does Helen leave the concert?
What does Helen take when she leaves?
What does Helen take when she leaves?
Why does Tibby loiter around in the concert?
Why does Tibby loiter around in the concert?
Why doesn't the man want to give Margaret his address or let Helen keep his umbrella?
Why doesn't the man want to give Margaret his address or let Helen keep his umbrella?
Why does Margaret want to leave the concert?
Why does Margaret want to leave the concert?
Why does Aunt Juley want Liesecke to stay at the concert?
Why does Aunt Juley want Liesecke to stay at the concert?
Where does the man say that he has been for concerts?
Where does the man say that he has been for concerts?
Who does Margaret talk about when the man sees how sophisticated and fluent she is in art?
Who does Margaret talk about when the man sees how sophisticated and fluent she is in art?
What remark does Helen make when Tibby says that she and Margaret need to hurry?
What remark does Helen make when Tibby says that she and Margaret need to hurry?
What is the 'man who lost his umbrella's' name?
What is the 'man who lost his umbrella's' name?
What is Leonard on the verge of, and what does the abyss represent?
What is Leonard on the verge of, and what does the abyss represent?
What does Leonard refuse to do when it comes to speaking to the rich?
What does Leonard refuse to do when it comes to speaking to the rich?
Why would Leonard have a definite rank if he was born centuries in the past?
Why would Leonard have a definite rank if he was born centuries in the past?
What is Leonard's home?
What is Leonard's home?
Why is Leonard relieved to see the electric light still on?
Why is Leonard relieved to see the electric light still on?
Whose picture does Leonard accidentally break?
Whose picture does Leonard accidentally break?
Why does Leonard read a volume of Ruskin?
Why does Leonard read a volume of Ruskin?
What does Leonard think of the Schlegels?
What does Leonard think of the Schlegels?
Who walks into Leonard's home?
Who walks into Leonard's home?
Describe Jacky Bast.
Describe Jacky Bast.
What phrase do Jacky and Leonard use to greet each other?
What phrase do Jacky and Leonard use to greet each other?
Why does Jacky sit on Leonard's lap and feel him up?
Why does Jacky sit on Leonard's lap and feel him up?
Why does Leonard get frustrated at Jacky?
Why does Leonard get frustrated at Jacky?
When is Leonard Bast's birthday?
When is Leonard Bast's birthday?
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Study Notes
Author and Publication
- E.M. Forster authored Howards End, published in 1910.
Setting
- The novel is set in London during the early 20th century, reflecting societal changes and class distinctions.
Main Characters
- Margaret Schlegel: The eldest sister of the Schlegel family, characterized by her intelligence and progressive views.
- Helen Schlegel: The middle sister who falls in love with Paul Wilcox early in the story.
- Tibby Schlegel: The youngest sibling, known for his ill temperament and frequent illnesses.
- Charles Wilcox: The older son of the Wilcox family, representing traditional masculinity.
- Paul Wilcox: The younger son, involved in a complicated engagement with Helen.
Relationships and Plot Points
- Helen writes letters to Margaret, revealing family dynamics and her feelings towards the Wilcoxes.
- Mrs. Wilcox resides at Howards End, representing a contrast between the old and new values in society.
- The Wilcox family is perceived by the Schlegels as "gaudy," reflecting their differing social values.
Themes of Masculinity and Gender
- Early indications of masculinity appear when comparing Charles Wilcox's resilience to Tibby's ailments.
- The novel explores notions of gender, intelligence, and society's expectations through characters like Helen, Margaret, and their interactions with men.
Family Dynamics
- Aunt Juley, the girls' aunt, showcases traditional views and often influences the sisters' decisions.
- The Schlegel family has a background that intertwines British and German heritage, leading to complex cultural discussions.
Social and Economic Context
- Margaret and Helen are involved in progressive politics, advocating for temperance, tolerance, and equality.
- Class divisions are highlighted through characters' interactions, particularly between the Schlegels and the Wilcoxes.
- Leonard Bast symbolizes the struggle for gentility amidst poverty, representing the working class.
Symbolism and Motifs
- Howards End serves as a symbol of heritage and the past, contrasted with the rapid changes in early 20th-century British society.
- The concert scene illustrates differing perceptions of art and culture among the characters, with meaningful interactions framed by music.
Key Incidents
- Helen's impulsiveness leads her to engage with the Wilcox family, setting the stage for her romantic entanglement with Paul.
- Charles Wilcox's behavior, particularly toward the station workers, exemplifies class arrogance and entitlement.
- The tension surrounding Helen's engagement and her eventual disillusionment highlight societal pressures regarding love and marriage.
Helen and Leonard's Parallel Stories
- Helen's relationship with Paul contrasts sharply with Leonard Bast's struggles; both explore themes of love and the implications of social class.
- Leonard's aspiration for a better life through education and culture reflects the intersections of class and personal ambition.
Closing Notes on Characters
- Jacky Bast, Leonard's partner, embodies the challenges faced by women in lower classes, further enriching the narrative's exploration of gender roles.
- The characters’ interactions serve to critique the constraints of societal norms and the complexities of human relationships.
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