Character Relationship Map: Howards End

Characters

• Margaret Schlegel (played by Emma Thompson) — protagonist

  An intellectual Schlegel sister who grows close to Ruth Wilcox, accepts Henry Wilcox's marriage proposal, and later inherits Howards End. She confronts Henry over his treatment of Leonard Bast and ult...

• Helen Schlegel (played by Helena Bonham Carter) — protagonist

  Margaret's passionate and idealistic sister. She briefly becomes engaged to Paul Wilcox, helps Leonard Bast, has a child with him, and later returns to Howards End while pregnant. Her conflict with He...

• Henry J. Wilcox (played by Anthony Hopkins) — supporting

  A wealthy, conservative businessman and Ruth Wilcox's widower. He marries Margaret, gives damaging advice about Leonard's employment, refuses to help the Basts, and later faces the consequences of Cha...

• Leonard Bast (played by Samuel West) — supporting

  A poor, self-improving young clerk whose employment is disrupted after following incorrect advice. He lives unhappily with Jackie, loves Helen, returns to Howards End, and dies after being assaulted a...

• Evie Wilcox (played by Jemma Redgrave) — supporting

  Henry's daughter whose wedding is hosted by Henry and Margaret at the Wilcox estate in Shropshire. She later gathers at Howards End with other members of the family.

• Ruth Wilcox (played by Vanessa Redgrave) — supporting

  Henry's wife and the beloved owner of Howards End, which she inherited from her family. She becomes close to Margaret and secretly bequeaths the house to her before dying.

• Tibby Schlegel (played by Adrian Ross Magenty) — supporting

  Helen's brother, whom Helen instructs to give the Basts more than £5000 from her money. Leonard returns the cheque uncashed.

• Dolly Wilcox (played by Susie Lindeman) — minor

  A member of the Wilcox family who gathers at Howards End a year later. She points out the irony that Margaret will inherit the house, revealing knowledge of Ruth's dying wish.

• Aunt Juley (played by Prunella Scales) — supporting

  The Schlegel sisters' aunt who arrives after receiving Margaret's telegram about Helen's engagement and causes an uproar. Her later illness helps bring Helen back to England.

• Charles Wilcox (played by James Wilby) — supporting

  Henry's brutish eldest son. At Howards End, he assaults Leonard for dishonouring Helen, and Leonard dies when a bookcase collapses during the confrontation. Henry says Charles will face a manslaughter...

• Paul Wilcox (played by Joseph Bennett) — supporting

  Ruth and Henry Wilcox's son, who becomes briefly engaged to Helen during a passionate encounter at Howards End. The engagement is quickly abandoned.

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Tibby Schlegel → Leonard Bast (Professional Financial Intermediary) — Tibby carries out the attempted financial rescue.

  Helen tells Tibby to give Leonard more than £5000, and Leonard returns the cheque uncashed.

• Henry J. Wilcox → Leonard Bast (Professional Adviser And Recipient) — Henry's inaccurate advice helps destroy Leonard's employment prospects.

  The Schlegels pass along Henry's advice that Leonard's insurance company is heading for bankruptcy, causing Leonard to quit.

• Helen Schlegel → Leonard Bast (Romantic Lovers) — Their encounter creates the final personal crisis.

  Helen gives in to her attraction for Leonard and has sex with him while boating; she later returns pregnant with his child.

• Margaret Schlegel → Henry J. Wilcox (Romantic Spouses) — Their marriage connects the Schlegel and Wilcox families.

  Henry develops an attraction to Margaret, proposes marriage, and eventually marries her.

• Helen Schlegel → Paul Wilcox (Romantic Former Fiances) — Their brief engagement triggers the opening family uproar.

  Helen becomes engaged to Paul during a moment of passion, but they quickly decide against the engagement.

• Charles Wilcox → Dolly Wilcox (Family Spouses) — Dolly belongs to Charles's branch of the Wilcox family.

  Dolly is explicitly identified as Charles's wife at the final gathering at Howards End.

• Henry J. Wilcox → Charles Wilcox (Family Father) — Their father-son relationship becomes crucial after Leonard's death.

  Charles is identified as Henry's brutish eldest son.

• Henry J. Wilcox → Evie Wilcox (Family Father) — Evie's wedding places Henry's family conflict in public view.

  The plot calls Evie Henry's daughter and describes Henry and Margaret hosting Evie's wedding.

• Henry J. Wilcox → Ruth Wilcox (Family Spouses) — Their marriage links Henry to Howards End and its inheritance dispute.

  Ruth is described as Henry's wife, and the Wilcox family deals with her death and her informal directions.

• Helen Schlegel → Aunt Juley (Family Niece And Aunt) — Aunt Juley's illness affects Helen's movements.

  Helen returns to England when Aunt Juley falls ill.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Margaret Schlegel → Charles Wilcox (Conflict Opposing Family Members) — Charles's violence separates Margaret's moral position from the Wilcox patriarchal order.

  After Charles attacks Leonard, Margaret tells Henry that she is leaving him to help Helen raise her baby.

• Charles Wilcox → Leonard Bast (Conflict Antagonists) — Charles's violence causes the fatal climax.

  At Howards End, Charles assaults Leonard for dishonouring Helen, and a bookcase collapses on Leonard during the confrontation.

• Helen Schlegel → Henry J. Wilcox (Conflict Moral Opponents) — Helen directly challenges Henry's conduct toward Leonard.

  Helen demands Henry help the impoverished Basts and is enraged when she considers him responsible for their situation.

• Margaret Schlegel → Leonard Bast (Social Acquaintances) — Margaret's social connection to Leonard exposes class and economic tensions.

  The Schlegel sisters befriend Leonard and pass along advice concerning his insurance company.

• Margaret Schlegel → Ruth Wilcox (Social Friends) — Their friendship leads to Ruth's intended gift of Howards End.

  Margaret resumes her acquaintance with Ruth, and the two women grow close as Ruth's health declines.

Story Analysis

The story examines how family, class, inheritance, and moral responsibility collide around one country house.

Plot Progression

1. An Unwanted Engagement — Helen and Paul briefly become engaged at Howards End, then reject the match after Margaret receives the alarming telegram. The Wilcox family's social conflict with the Schlegels begins.
2. The House And The Heir — Margaret renews her friendship with Ruth as the Wilcoxes move across from the Schlegels. Ruth intends to leave Howards End to Margaret, but her family destroys the informal directions.
3. Class And Consequence — The Schlegels meet Leonard Bast and pass along Henry's disastrous employment advice. Leonard loses his security, while Henry's attraction to Margaret leads toward marriage.
4. Scandal And Separation — At Evie's wedding, Jacky's revelation exposes Henry's past affair and Helen leaves for Germany. Helen's encounter with Leonard creates a pregnancy and separates her from Margaret.
5. Death At Howards End — Helen returns pregnant and Henry refuses her shelter, leading to a final confrontation with Charles and Leonard. After Leonard's death, Margaret chooses Helen, and Ruth's inheritance wish is finally a...