"Howard's End" and the Modern Man

Paper Summary:

The writer of this paper studies the issues faced by the modern man in Forester's "Howard's End." The book is set in the early twentieth century with the emergence of modernization and struggles between the classes. The paper analyzes the relationship between these classes, the challenges emerging from modernization and how the characters rise to these challenges.

From the Paper:

In his renowned novel Howards End, E. M. Forester paints a compelling portrait of British society in the early twentieth century. Forester takes the reader on a journey through the trials and tribulations among members of the various social strata who compose the preeminent societal structure in this unique time and place. By setting his novel against the backdrop of an emerging industrial empire, the author makes a bold statement concerning the plight of modern man. According to Forester, this contemporary dilemma plaguing humanity is defined by the inability to make meaningful connections not only across distinct boundaries drawn by the existing social hierarchy but also between man and the natural world around him (alienation in the romantic sense). Furthermore, this tale can be interpreted allegorically with Leonard Bast's character representing Forester's model for the common man, Henry Wilcox portraying the self interested industrialist and the Schlagel's (especially Margaret) exemplifying the liberal intellectual 'voice of reason.'

More papers on "Howard's End" and the Modern Man:

• Comparison Essay # 120051 : "Plato and "The True Man Story"
• Analytical Essay # 136495 : "Cross-Gender Roles and 'The Thin Man'"
• Book Review # 565 : "Wealth in "Howard's End" and "The Great Gatsby"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: