Howards End - the Social Question

E.M Forster Howards End Howards End expresses a powerful critique on the introduction of social class and social awareness in the primeval Edwardian Era. After the Victorian Era, values concerning class-awareness were altering. The story, set in the first decade of the 20th century, depicts this transformation and portrays two paying back unravelments within the upper-middle class. The Wilcoxes and the Schlegels represent these opposite points of view in class-awareness. The Wilcoxes fabric for the capitalist bourgeoisie, the Schlegels represent the liberal intelligentsia. At the time, these alternative ideologies conflicted, causing a division within the upper-middle class. Howards End depicts the socio-political, cultural and ideologic differences between these parties, related to their class-awareness. In so doing Forster investigates which ideology ought to dominate. As David Lodge puts it: The issue it addresses (…) is whether culture (…) is an attainable ideal. If culture at the personal level depends ultimately on the possession of funds (and Forster insists that it does), can it be shared equally in familiarity? And what stance should the advocates of culture adopt towards those who make m sensationy, and towards those who have teeny-weeny or none? However, Forsters answer is not unilateral.

He does not advocate the predominance of one ideology, but puts advancing an alternative society where these ideologies do not collide, but harmonize. I will begin this paper with a delineation of the two ideologies represented in the novel, to indicate their differences. Then Ill move on to Forsters conclusion: the harmony of these two, without the prevalence of one ideology. 1) The Wilcoxes The Wilcoxes represent the capitalist bourgeoisie. A family that has founded its fortune in the colonies is profoundly marked by the conventional values of Victorianism. They propagate traditional ideas about sexuality, morality, art, and class-awareness. As Helen outlines their values: Equality... If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay

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