K.W. Gransden has noted the significance of Ruth Wilcox’s answer to Margaret’s comment that a house “cannot stand by bricks and mortar alone”. The first Mrs. Wilcox replies, “It cannot stand without them.” According to Gransden, there is a persistent note of misgiving on Forster’s part about this. It is more than nostalgia. The opening description of the house at Howards End begins the statement of a large and complex architectural metaphor, which is extended throughout the novel. Hardy states that buildings, and the design of them, the architectural character of a civilization, would seem to be in Foster’s mind fundamentally related to its character of manners and morals. From my point of view, it is important to look at the houses in Forster’s Howards End more closely. In this term paper I will show in what way Forster associates certain housing conditions with special types of characters, and to what extent he thinks housing conditions influence the way people behave and what inference he draws as to where to live. I will focus on the three main parties namely the Wilcoxes, the Schlegels and the Basts and I will show where the characters live and in which way their economic status is reflected in their housing conditions. Furthermore, I will try to emphasize Forster’s position towards housing at the beginning of the 20th century. It can be said that there are portrayed three different types of houses in Howards End. Firstly the country houses, secondly the houses of the urban lower middle class and finally the London town houses. My aim is to show that there are fundamental differences between these types of houses.
Furthermore, I want to prove that the narrator distinguishes the houses’ quality(ies?) among themselves. After that, I will talk about the standpoint Forster takes towards the houses’ quality when he shows whether they possess life, spirit or souls. Additionally, I will illustrate some of the popular concepts and current views of Forster’s time concerning the people’s various housing conditions. I will exemplify the narrator’s preferences where one should live by taking a closer look at a couple of statements about living in the countryside versus living in the city as well as living in houses versus living in flats. In the end, I will examine the author’s choice about the ideal place to live for Margaret Schlegel – his heroine – and I will try to explain to what degree this solution is realistic within the logic of the Forster’s Howards End.
Table of Contents
- 1. INTRODUCTION
- 2. THE CITY
- 2.1. London Town Houses
- 2.1.1 Ducie Street House
- 2.1.2 Wickham Place
- 2.1.3 Wickham Mansion
- 2.2. Urban Slum
- 2.1. London Town Houses
- 3. THE COUNTRYSIDE
- 3.1. The Country Houses
- 3.1.1. Howards End
- 3.1.2. Oniton
- 3.1. The Country Houses
- 4. CONCLUSION
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes E.M. Forster's Howards End, examining the author's portrayal of different housing conditions and their correlation with character development and social class in early 20th-century England. The study focuses on the contrasting lifestyles and living spaces of the Wilcox, Schlegel, and Bast families, exploring how Forster uses the setting to reflect social commentary and personal values.
- The relationship between housing and social class.
- The contrasting depictions of city and country life.
- The impact of environment on character.
- Forster's perspective on ideal living conditions.
- The symbolism of houses and their metaphorical significance.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper's analysis of E.M. Forster's Howards End, focusing on the significance of houses and their reflection of characters' lives and social standings. It introduces the main families—Wilcox, Schlegel, and Bast—and their respective housing situations. The chapter highlights the author's intention to explore the correlation between housing conditions and the characters' behaviors, ultimately aiming to unveil Forster's perspective on ideal living arrangements at the beginning of the 20th century. The introduction also previews the examination of three types of houses portrayed in the novel: country houses, urban lower-middle-class dwellings, and London townhouses. It emphasizes the exploration of how Forster distinguishes the houses' qualities, their inherent life or spirit, and the reflection of contemporary societal views on housing.
2. The City: This chapter delves into Forster's portrayal of London in Howards End, depicting it as a dull, monotonous, and depressing environment characterized by grey weather and a pitiless atmosphere. The city is presented as a "Moloch," a destructive force that leads to dehumanization, hard labor, and poor housing conditions, impacting characters' spirits and even contributing to their demise. The chapter contrasts the city's harshness with the peacefulness and stability of the countryside, highlighting the Schlegel sisters' appreciation for nature and their recognition of the city's detrimental effects. While acknowledging London's allure, the chapter underscores the characters' ultimate realization of the need to escape the city's negativity.
2.1. London Town Houses: This section focuses on the London townhouses within the narrative of Howards End, contrasting them with the mass-produced flats inhabited by the Bast family. The townhouses, representing a more comfortable and wholesome living situation, are accessible due to the financial stability of their occupants (the Wilcoxes and Schlegels). The chapter explores the commonality of these houses being either owned or long-term rentals by the affluent characters, highlighting the stark difference between these residences and the cramped living spaces of the working class, thus reinforcing the themes of social class and living conditions within Forster's work.
Keywords
Howards End, E.M. Forster, housing, social class, city vs. country, London, country houses, character development, social commentary, early 20th-century England, living conditions, environmental impact.
Frequently Asked Questions: E.M. Forster's Howards End - An Analysis of Housing and Social Class
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes E.M. Forster's Howards End, examining the author's portrayal of different housing conditions and their correlation with character development and social class in early 20th-century England. It focuses on the contrasting lifestyles and living spaces of the Wilcox, Schlegel, and Bast families, exploring how Forster uses setting to reflect social commentary and personal values.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of Howards End?
The key themes include the relationship between housing and social class, the contrasting depictions of city and country life, the impact of environment on character, Forster's perspective on ideal living conditions, and the symbolism of houses and their metaphorical significance.
What types of housing are compared in the analysis?
The analysis compares various types of housing, including London townhouses (e.g., Ducie Street House, Wickham Place, Wickham Mansion), urban slums, and country houses (e.g., Howards End, Oniton). The differences reflect the social strata and living conditions of the characters.
How does the city of London feature in the analysis?
London is depicted as a dull, monotonous, and depressing environment, a "Moloch" that leads to dehumanization and poor living conditions. This contrasts sharply with the peacefulness and stability associated with the countryside.
What is the significance of the London townhouses in the narrative?
The London townhouses represent a more comfortable and wholesome living situation, accessible to the financially stable Wilcox and Schlegel families. They are contrasted with the cramped living spaces of the working-class Bast family, highlighting the stark difference in social class and living conditions.
How are chapter summaries provided in this document?
The document provides chapter summaries for the introduction, the city chapter (including a subsection on London townhouses), and the countryside chapter. Each summary briefly outlines the key points and arguments presented in the respective chapters.
What is the purpose of the introduction chapter?
The introduction sets the stage for the analysis by introducing the main families and their housing situations. It highlights the correlation between housing conditions and characters' behaviors, previewing the examination of different housing types and Forster's views on ideal living arrangements.
What is included in the “The City” chapter summary?
The "The City" chapter summary focuses on Forster's portrayal of London as a harsh and depressing environment, contrasting it with the countryside. It highlights the Schlegel sisters' appreciation for nature and their recognition of the city's negative impact.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include Howards End, E.M. Forster, housing, social class, city vs. country, London, country houses, character development, social commentary, early 20th-century England, living conditions, and environmental impact.
- Quote paper
- Dominik Lorenz (Author), 2008, The City and the Country in Howards End, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/117906
