Gender Roles In E. M. Forester's Howards Ed

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Schlegels and Wilcoxes

In E. M. Forester’s novel Howards Ed, we are introduced to two families that are seemingly different from the outside, and despite the fact the families are classified into differing stereotypes, there are a few characters that tend to stray from their families said stereotypes.
As a whole, the Wilcoxes are a very materialistic group of individuals who are all about what their material possessions can get them. They have a strong interest in things such as sports, political affairs, and business. Their attention to these things leads us to consider them more as masculine. On the opposing end, the Schlegels are more in tune with art, music, education, and emotional appeal. These are all things we would typically associate with being more feminine. One of the major underlying themes in the novel is Forester’s comparison against the masculine vs. feminine aspects. (Add more about masculine vs. feminine in novel)
Although they would tend to be grouped together, Forester chooses to show that characters can stray from the norm of what might be expected of them. For example, we see this in Helen and Margaret as well as Henry and Charles. …show more content…

She acts as a motherly figure to her brother Tibby and her sister Helen. Margaret could be described as smart, personable, but also as reserved and realistic. Helen Schlegel embodies certain traits that do not necessarily match that of Margaret’s, or that would be considered of the Schlegels’. Rather than being reserved, she is more charismatic, witty, and whimsical. One of the bigger differences between the two sisters is that Helen tends to have unrealistic visions of the world and for her life. (more in

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