The Dividing Line between Private and Public Values in Modern Literature

E. M. Forster, "Howards End" - George Orwell, "Nineteen-Eighty Four"

Essai , 2007 , 12 Pages , Note: 1,3

Philologie Anglaise - Littérature

This essay focuses on two modern literary works by E.M. FORSTER and George
ORWELL. While FORSTER’s fourth published novel Howards End was already
written in the early twentieth century (1910), ORWELL’s famous dystopia
Nineteen Eighty-Four was only published in 1949 and may therefore be
considered as a late modern work.
The historical background of the two novels obviously differs to a great
extent. On the edge of the First World War, E.M. FORSTER was particularly
concerned with a disrupted society under the direct influence of the significant
changes in modern social life. The increasing forces of imperialism and
capitalism and tendencies of a growing urbanisation largely changed the lives of
people, directly affecting their private and public spheres. When ORWELL wrote
his novel under the influence of the Second World War, modern life had
additionally been shaken up by two world wars and the effects of totalitarian
systems in Europe.
Despite the historical gulf between Orwell and Forster, which makes a
direct comparison of their works impossible, this paper will concentrate on the
private and public values of the novels’ characters and thus also pay attention
to probable political notions of the authors. It will particularly figure out if the two
writers either endorse or contest a dividing line between private and public
values, additionally taking into consideration formal features as well as the
overall plot.
Forster’s novel Howards End predominantly deals with the interrelations
of two middle class families called the Schlegels and the Wilcoxes. Despite
belonging to the same class, their actual social background differs to a great
extent. Margaret and Helen Schlegel are initially depicted as not being English
“to the backbone”, which is not only true because of their German origins, but
also because of their idealist attitude they seem to have adopted from their
father, who rather was “the countryman of Hegel and Kant, […] the idealist,
inclined to be dreamy, whose Imperialism was the Imperialism of the air”.
Idealism and anti-imperialism are obviously not to be considered as being very
English any more, but rather seem to have died out all over modern Europe.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• The Dividing Line between Public and Private Values in Modern Literature
• Introduction
• Howards End
• The Schlegels and the Wilcoxes
• The Inner Life vs. The Outer Life
• The Unification of Private and Public Values
• Leonard Bast and the Poor
• Nineteen-Eighty Four
• Winston Smith's Rebellion
• The Party and the Suppression of Private Values
• The Manipulation of Language and Truth
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay examines the portrayal of private and public values in two prominent works of modern literature, Howards End by E.M. Forster and Nineteen-Eighty Four by George Orwell. By analyzing the novels' characters, themes, and plot developments, the essay aims to determine whether the authors endorse or challenge a distinct division between personal beliefs and societal norms.

• The contrasting values of the middle class and the working class
• The impact of imperialism and capitalism on social relations
• The role of individual freedom and social responsibility in a changing world
• The dangers of totalitarian regimes and the suppression of individual thought
• The power of language and its influence on perception and reality

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The Dividing Line between Public and Private Values in Modern Literature: This introductory chapter establishes the context for the essay and provides a brief overview of the historical background and themes explored in Howards End and Nineteen-Eighty Four.
• Howards End: This section delves into Forster's Howards End, focusing on the contrasting values of the Schlegel and Wilcox families, representing the "inner" and "outer" lives, respectively. It analyzes the role of idealism, imperialism, and the potential for a reunification of private and public spheres.
• The Schlegels and the Wilcoxes: This section explores the characters of the Schlegel sisters and the Wilcox family, highlighting their contrasting backgrounds and values. It examines the impact of the Wilcoxes' capitalist and imperialist ideologies on their social interactions and the lives of those around them.
• The Inner Life vs. The Outer Life: This section delves into the concept of "inner" and "outer" lives as represented in the characters of the Schlegels and the Wilcoxes. It explores the tension between idealism and pragmatism, and the implications of a disconnect between personal beliefs and societal expectations.
• The Unification of Private and Public Values: This section examines the potential for a unification of "private" and "public" values in Howards End, focusing on the relationship between Margaret Schlegel and Henry Wilcox. It analyzes the challenges and complexities of bridging the gap between individual beliefs and societal structures.
• Leonard Bast and the Poor: This section focuses on the character of Leonard Bast, a member of the working class who attempts to navigate the social expectations of the middle class. It explores the dangers of social mobility and the exploitation faced by marginalized individuals in a capitalist system.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This essay explores key themes and concepts related to modern literature, private and public values, social class, imperialism, capitalism, totalitarianism, individual freedom, and the manipulation of language. It delves into the works of E.M. Forster and George Orwell, examining how these authors portray the tensions between personal beliefs and societal norms in a rapidly changing world.

• Université: Queen's University Belfast (School of English)
• Cours: Literature and the Politics of Modernity
• Note: 1,3
• Auteur: Jan H. Hauptmann (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2007
• Pages: 12
• N° de catalogue: V118355
• ISBN (ebook): 9783640215126
• ISBN (Livre): 9783640215218
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Literature, Politics, George Orwell, E. M. Forster, World War, Dystopia, Imperialism, Howards End, Nineteen-Eighty Four, Plato