The Evolution of Man and Not of Woman in 'Howard's End'
E.M. Forester’s choice in presenting the reader with a female as the lead character of Howard’s End assists in bringing forth the idea that men are not the only ones who evolve with time. There are many examples in the book that demonstrate the idea that men of money and high status held themselves higher than women. There are even instances in which the women appear to be brainwashed into believing this, as well. With Mrs. Wilcox’s idea of men being responsible of action and discussion, one could very easily assume that this could be a norm in a household of similar status. However, where there is time, there is evolution. Does this mean that time stands still for only one sex?
There was one passage in particular in which the narrator is reaching deep into Margaret’s thoughts and shares a very striking point of view to ponder. “Are the sexes really races, each with its own code of morality, and their mutual love a mere device of Nature to keep things going? Strip human intercourse of the proprieties, and is it reduced to this? Her judgement told her no. She knew that out of Nature’s device we have built a magic that will win us immortality,” (Forester, p. 172). This passage also states, “We are evolving, in ways that Science cannot measure, to ends that Theology dare not contemplate. ‘Men did produce one jewel,’ the gods will say, and saying, will give us immortality,” (p. 172). This small section has so much to say – so much to do. Comparing sexes to races could be viewed as a taboo but Forester allowed the narrator to play in this area for a while to produce a rather insightful idea. The fact that races have a norm when it comes to the culture in which the individual belongs, whether these norms involve morals and/or views. This is being compared to the differences between sexes however it is Nature that brings them together through love. Later in this section, the narrator discusses Margaret’s beliefs that women have evolved more than Theology could even begin to contemplate, or “dare not” to. She does point out that men did produce one jewel and among all of the things their hands have produced, that jewel is a woman. So, why not allow the jewel’s evolution carry its true weight?
This is not the first time in which evolution of women is discussed in Howard’s End. It is discussed between Margaret and Mrs. Wilcox at a luncheon-party that Margaret gave in Mrs. Wilcox’s honor. While discussing Prussia and its people willing to discuss topics that the common would steer clear of, Mrs. Wilcox states, “I sometimes think that it is wiser to leave action and discussion to men,” (p. 55). Margaret responds, “Whether women are to remain what they have been since the dawn of history; or whether, since men have moved forward so far, they too may move forward a little now. I say they may. I would even admit a biological change,” (p. 55). It could be easily argued that Mrs. Wilcox is brainwashed by her husband to believe the way she did or it could also be argued that this is all she knows and does not want to invest herself into learning what it is like to take action or have important discussions. It is Margaret’s response that draws the most attention. It vocalizes her inner thoughts that we witness in the previous example that occurs later in the novel- women evolve, just as men do. It provokes thought and it invites change.
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