I've recently studied E.M Forster's symbolic novel, Howard's End, and felt that it was a brilliant piece :] I have just completed my coursework on the novel, achieving the top grade, which was certainly surprising! However, I don't quite know how to define 'The Great Wilcox Peril', so if anyone could help, that would be brilliant!
Anyone else enjoy Howard's End? :] or even studying it at A2?
xxx
I remember so well the first time I read Howard's End when I was about fifteeen. I was absolutely entranced by the beauty of Forster's style and the tremendous depth of his characters. For the pure beauty of the writing, I love the Beethovan scene, and, of course, the "only connect" passage. That passage made such a deep impression on me in my young years. After reading Howard's End Forster became one of my favorite novelists throughout high school, and I still love his work. Do you have any favorite scenes in the book? Have you read any of his others, and have you seen the film adaptation of Howard's End? Naturally the film can't be as good as the book (never is), but I really enjoyed it.
It's been awhile since I last read H.E., but if memory serves it's Helen who refers to the "Great Wilcox Peril." As I say, it's been some time since I've read it (and I seem to have mis-placed my copy), but I'm assuming that this phrase is a reference to the way people like the Wilcox family are cast in the book as a peril to society because of the manner in which their bourgeouise concern with finance and commercialism to the exclusion of passion and compassion threatens to overcome and even to destroy any who stand in the way of the "progress" of bankers and motorcars. Leonard Bast would then be the symbolic victim of this Wilcox peril. Hope that helps.
By the by, welcome to the forum. Always glad to welcome a Forster fan.
"In rime sparse il suono/ di quei sospiri ond' io nudriva 'l core/ in sul mio primo giovenile errore"~ Francesco Petrarca
"Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can."~ Jane Austen
Oh, you certainly do love Forster :]
I quite agree about the Beethoven scene, it's brilliant :] I also love the passage about a page into the second chapter, where Wickham Place, and London in general is described, especially through the use of the extended metaphor of water, which carries on throughout the whole novel. :]
Surprisingly, most of my class detest this novel! Whether or not it's because we have had to complete this coursework about it, I don't know.. I think they're mental :]
We watched the film adaptation in class, which I thought was quite a good adaptation, with the character's being well casted. Loved Anthony Hopkins
Oh, and by the way... THANK YOU!
You just helped me with the only correction I had to make to my coursework!
You're a star!!
xx
Always happy to help a fellow Laura.Oh, and by the way... THANK YOU!
Yes, I think I remember the passage you mean. His descriptions of places can be so vivid and memorable.I quite agree about the Beethoven scene, it's brilliant :] I also love the passage about a page into the second chapter, where Wickham Place, and London in general is described, especially through the use of the extended metaphor of water, which carries on throughout the whole novel. :]
Definitely mental.Surprisingly, most of my class detest this novel! Whether or not it's because we have had to complete this coursework about it, I don't know.. I think they're mental :]What a shame that your class doesn't like the book. I never read Forster for school, so I didn't know how my peers might have responded to his writing. I suppose I can see how a lot of teens might not instantly get Forster though. He's not a terribly well known author here in the States, even in the university, which I've always thought is a shame.
Yes, I thought Hopkins did a wonderful job with that role. Emma Thompson was excellent too, and Merchant Ivory always does such beautiful visual direction.We watched the film adptation in class, which I thought was quite a good adaptation, with the character's being well casted. Loved Anthony Hopkins
By the way, congratulations on your top marks for your novel coursework.
Last edited by Petrarch's Love; 01-22-2007 at 10:14 PM.
"In rime sparse il suono/ di quei sospiri ond' io nudriva 'l core/ in sul mio primo giovenile errore"~ Francesco Petrarca
"Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can."~ Jane Austen
Just begun Howards End as part of the coursework to my A Level Eng Lit correspondence course. Hope to keep in touch with you if that's ok?
Thanks - Stuart
Hi Stuart--If you're still around, then welcome aboard, and I'd be happy to discuss Howard's End with you if you want to post any comments and questions to this thread.
"In rime sparse il suono/ di quei sospiri ond' io nudriva 'l core/ in sul mio primo giovenile errore"~ Francesco Petrarca
"Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can."~ Jane Austen
hello!!!im maximum and i am new here. i read about your thread when im browsing through this page...i would just like to ask if you could help me figure out what could be the best approach to use in analyzing howard's end? we have not yet taken up literary criticism so im confused whether the best approach would be mimesis or historical background...waa i really dont know im in deep need of help!!your reply would mean so much to me!!!!thank you po!!!!!!!!!!!Originally Posted by LauraJayne
im maximum and i am new here. i have chosen howard's end for my novel term paper and i do not knw if that was a wise decision!!!!im currently grappling with the best approach to use in that novel...please please im in great peril!!!thanks!!your reply would mean so much to me!!
LauraJane and Petrarch, I am enjoying reading the commentary which you two wrote on "Howard's End"; I read the novel a few years back and loved it; quickly I followed it with a few other Forster Novels. I love "Passage to India", and "Room With a View" still gives me a chuckle; it's quite amusing. I own all three on video and watch them repeatedly. I think they are all very good adaptations. "Howard's End" had such great actresses and actors, all stellar indeed. Helene Bohame Carter (always excellent) appears in both "Howard's End" and "Room With a View". My friend urges me to read "Maurice", but I still have not gotten to that novel; I will eventually.
Welcome to the forum, LauraJane. It is nice to see new faces around her (symbolically speaking). That is wonderful you did so well recieving the top grade. It is ashame that the other student are missing the boat. Forster is an excellent author with a unique style. Stick with him; you will love his other novels.
"It's so mysterious, the land of tears."
Chapter 7, The Little Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I just finished reading Howards End and I really enjoyed it. I read Where Angels Fear to Tread two years ago and I'm gonna read his other novels I guess
Last edited by frida_kahlo; 10-25-2009 at 03:55 AM.
Hey I am new to the site and I am supposed analyse Howards End chapter 26 for my literature class.I need help does anyone have an idea?
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