Howards End

Reaction and themes

The movie was critically acclaimed and received innumerous awards. It is one of the finest of british movie-making, with excquisite dialogues, great acting by all major actors, and beautiful scenery-shorts in the countryside of Oxfordshire and other places. The music track is subtle and fitting to the different moods.

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The dark and little flat of the Bass's next to the rumbling train is a stark contrast to the more lighter apartment of the Schlegels, which in turn is dwarfed by the imposing (and almost suffocating) mansion of the Wilcox.

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It is interesting to watch the relationship between Ruth Wilcox and Margaret Schlegel grow. It does seem though that in the beginning Ruth was more the driving force between the friendship, probably feeling that her time was running out and she wanted to see Howard's End in good hands before she left. In a strange twist of fate, she would take the place of Ruth after her passing, eventually gaining the cottage even though there were hurdles. In a way, the circle came full way again.

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Even though Leonard Bast would die because of the fight, his soul or spirit will live on with his child, who will be raised and grow up on Howard's End. In a way, maybe he did reach the security he never could enjoy in his life-time.

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