The attempt to connect the two different worlds of money and ideals is a central theme in E.M Forster’s Howard’s End. The concept of money is most strongly represented by the Wilcox family. Idealism and intellectualism are the driving forces of the Schlegel’s – especially the younger sister Helen. Establishing the ‘rainbow bridge’ (page 187) between these two is Margaret Schlegel, the novel’s protagonist. The central relationship in the novel is between …showed first 75 words of 1729 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1729 total…it is the Charles Wilcoxes who, in the words of Mrs Avery, ‘breed like rabbits’ (page 268). The relationship between money and ideals is one that is fraught with conflict – the conflict between the characters who represent these worlds and its resolution via an intermediary, Margaret, forms the novel. Forster demonstrates to the reader that while neither world is perfect – they both have their merits and with careful diplomacy have the potential to operate harmoniously together.