Information AboutHowards End |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT HOWARDS END | |
| 1910 novels | |
| british novels | |
| novels by e. m. forster | |
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PLOT The plot takes place in England at the beginning of the twentieth century. It is about three families who represent different gradations of the Edwardian middle class: the Wilcoxes, who are rich capitalists with a fortune made in the Colonies; the half-German Schlegel sisters, who represent the intellectual Bourgeoisie and have a lot in common with the real-life Bloomsbury Group ; and the Basts, a couple who are stuggling members of the lower-middle class. The Schlegel sisters try to help the poor Basts and try to make the Wilcoxes less prejudiced. The two sisters frequently encounter the Wilcoxes. The younger sister, Helen, is rejected by the younger Wilcox brother, Paul. The older sister, Margaret, becomes friends with mother Ruth Wilcox. Ruth's most prized personal possession is her family house at Howards End. She wishes that Margaret could live there, as she feels that it might be in good hands with her. Possibly sensing that she is terminally ill, Ruth bequeaths the cottage to Margaret, which causes great consternation among the Wilcoxes. Mrs Wilcox's widowed husband Henry and their children burn the will without telling Margaret about her inheritance. However, over the course of years, Margaret becomes friends with Henry Wilcox and eventually marries him. The children try to keep her from taking possession of Howards End, to no avail, so Ruth's wishes are finally fulfilled. Because of Margaret's marriage into the Wilcoxes, the Schlegel sisters drift apart. Helen tries to help young Leonard Bast, but it all goes terribly wrong; he loses his position and disappears, leaving Helen carrying his child. Helen leaves England to travel through Germany but eventually returns to her sister to raise her child at Howards End. ADAPTATIONS A television adaptation of the novel was broadcast in 1970 with Leo Genn and Glenda Jackson . The 1992 Film version starred Emma Thompson , Helena Bonham Carter , Anthony Hopkins and Samuel West . Thompson won an Academy Award for her performance. EXTERNAL LINKS |
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