Walls of Ideologies
E.M. Forster’s novel Howards End uses three families to explore the competing idealism and materialism of the upper classes and the belittling effects of poverty on the human soul. The conflict between the Schlegel family and the Wilcox family is a recurring theme that reflects the ideologies that are in E.M. Forster’s novel. The Schlegels are idealistic and intellectual , while the Wilcoxes are more materialistic and motivated by the desire to maintain their wealth and property. The Wilcoxes are unapologetically bourgeois. Forster is implying that merely connecting, just getting along, is not enough in a world divided by ideological conflict. Althusser’s theory that ideology Forster has created the perfect embodiment of the ideology of conflict between reason and passion. In Howards End Forster talks about two classes and two ideologies that are separated by the thick wall of social prejudices and misunderstandings. The only thing connecting the two families is money. Both of the families are quite well off, but at the same time represent two different sectors of the English upper-middle cl . . .
Her inner strength and emotional perceptiveness enable her to appreciate the Wilcoxes, and at the same time, strive for a finer life, which she perceives can only be found from enjoying an emotionally whole life experience. Forster’s superscription over the entire novel, “only connect,” could be more explicitly stated, “if only we could connect. The Schlegels are cultured and represent education. The Schlegels and Wilcoxes all live together in Howards End, and these living arrangements prove that with connection can there be a place for all. The poor were always the people described as being the person who did not really have a mind of there own. ” It is clear that Forster did not believe this idealized connection was possible without spirituality because of the failures of individuals. Whenever Margaret Schlegel realizes that Henry Wilcox is a man who has lived without introspection or true knowledge, there was a turning point. In the novel, the supreme believer of this connection was Margaret. ass during the period in which the novel is set. The Wilcoxes represent the work ethic, materialism and form. Althusser would say that this is how ideology is calling her or hailing Margaret into being. Helen believes that poverty is more “real” than wealth. From everything taught about the time period of the early 1900s, there were the rich and the poor. “Henry’s inner life had long lain open the intellectual confusion, his obtuseness to personal influence, his strong yet furtive passions” (Forster 174).
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