Character Analysis of Howards End

The Schlegel Siblings

Margaret (Meg) Schlegel

Margaret is the eldest daughter of a German family. She is responsible, aristocratic, and initially unmarried before eventually marrying Henry Wilcox. At 30 years old, she is helpful, polite, educated, and down-to-earth.

Tibby Schlegel

At 22 years old, Tibby is wealthy and maintains a good relationship with his sisters. He prefers not to work and studies at Oxford. He is a relevant figure in the novel, notably when he informs Charles that Leonard is Helen's lover and when he attempts to help the Basts after discovering they were evicted. He is ill at the beginning of the novel, and Charles envies his wealth.

Helen Schlegel

Helen is the sister of Meg and Tibby. She belongs to the aristocracy, is an orphan living in England, and is always eager to help the Basts. She is emotional, impulsive, funny, lovable, liberal, independent, intelligent, pretty, formidable, and generous.

The Wilcox Family

Charles Wilcox

Charles belongs to the bourgeoisie and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox. He is wealthy, married with children, and eventually arrested for killing Leonard. He is ambitious, materialistic, and deeply concerned with family reputation. He is known for his disapproval of Aunt Juley and his belief that Paul is a womanizer. He diminishes the power of Mr. Wilcox's letter regarding the ownership of Howards End and becomes upset upon learning of his father's marriage to Meg. Driven by his obsession with reputation, he tracks down Helen's lover and kills him with a family sword.

Mr. Wilcox

A widower and businessman belonging to the bourgeoisie, Mr. Wilcox is the father of Paul, Charles, and Evie. As the owner of Howards End, he is old-fashioned, treats servants as inferiors, and is in his 50s. He is shy, not romantic, lacks tenderness, has a receding hairline, and desires to be respected.

Paul Wilcox

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox, Paul lives in Nigeria and is a businessman. He is described as stuffy, charming, selfish, and a womanizer. His early engagement to Helen and their subsequent kiss helped Meg realize what she was missing in her own life.

Other Key Characters

Leonard Bast

Leonard is a sensitive, middle-working-class clerk who aspires to improve his social standing. He lives in a small, poorly furnished apartment. He is kind, young, sophisticated, ambitious, sentimental, and average-looking, constantly striving to belong to the upper class.

Jacky Bast

Jacky is from a low social class and is Leonard's fiancée. She is described as cold, uneducated, and lacking in politeness. She appears older than she is, is not considered pretty, and lacks any aspiration for self-improvement.