HOWARD’S END

HOWARD’S END, based on the novel by E.M. Forster, begins with the rejection of young Helen Schlegel by young Mr. Wilcox who states that he must go to Africa to learn his father’s trade. The Schlegels are cosmopolitan, liberated, humane, and humanistic. In contrast, the Wilcox family is stuffy, crusty and complex, exuding insecurity and joylessness despite its vast wealth. Mrs. Ruth Wilcox becomes a friend of Margaret Schlegel. Just before dying, Ruth Wilcox wills the summer house, Howard’s End, to Margaret. The Wilcoxes get ahold of the paper and destroy it to keep the house. Mr. Wilcox asks Margaret to marry him. After some time, a tired Mr. Wilcox, racked by one damaging incident after another, apportions his fortune to his heirs, and Howard’s End is given to Margaret, the rightful owner.

Despite its humanistic bent, there is much which can be enjoyed about HOWARD’S END, such as its beautiful photography. However, regrettably, there is also adultery and profanity. It is unfortunate, however, that E. M. Forster would have employed his considerable talent to give such a heavy-handed endorsement of humanistic social justice, as he did in this case.