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Grotesque View of the British Society in Howard’s End and Women in Love

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Grotesque View of the British Society in Howard’s End and Women in Love

Eleanor Roosevelt once said that “a little simplification would be the first step toward rational living.” (Heartquotes.net) After reading Howard’s End and Women in Love, by E.M. Forster and D.H. Lawrence respectively, it has become quite clear that a little simplification could do the characters of both novels a great deal of good. In these “condition of England” novels, the ideas of love and marriage, how industrialization has affected British life and the revolution of women’s rights are all presented, analyzed, and even criticized by both authors. However, if one digs deeper, there are less obvious themes which make up the background of each story. …show more content…

The paralyzing effect of such intellectualism is at work even in Helen as she believes that helping people is “no good…unless you really mean to know people.” (Forster, 95)

While there are several characters in Howards End who are crippled by the excruciating analysis of taking action, Women in Love offers one blaring character who falls victim to the venom of indefinite thinking. As the narrator unlocks the door to Mrs. Crich’s mind, it becomes clear that her philosophy is a result of her greed. “Sometimes, it seemed to Mrs. Crich as if her husband were some subtle funeral bird, feeding on the miseries of the people.” (Lawrence, 180) Instead of admitting her own selfishness, Mrs. Crich rationalizes her feelings by refusing to acknowledge that her husband’s intentions are the product of a good heart, and not of a man who enjoys other peoples’ hardship.

Certainly the elevated way of thinking that the upper class has adopted makes it difficult, if not nearly impossible, for them to take action in society. Not only do they spend more time jawing about the

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