# XXVII explained — Howards End

> Chapter companion for Howards End by E. M. Forster.

## What happens

Helen Schlegel, having spent money to bring the Basts to a Shropshire hotel, reflects on her actions and discusses philosophy with Leonard Bast. She contrasts those who can say 'I' (like herself and Margaret) with the 'supermen' like the Wilcoxes who lack this inner self. Leonard reveals his family background and the shame of his wife Jacky's past, while concealing his knowledge of Mr. Wilcox's involvement with her. Helen argues that Death gives meaning to life and undermines the power of Money, but Leonard remains focused on his practical need for work.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Inequality

Leonard's shame about his grandparents being agricultural labourers and his focus on money as the 'real thing' underscore the class divide and the struggle for economic survival.

### Death, Mortality, and Legacy

Helen argues that Death is the ultimate equalizer, rendering money and materialism meaningless, and that the idea of Death saves a person by giving life deeper meaning.

### Materialism vs. Idealism

Leonard's pragmatic view that 'the real thing's money, and all the rest is a dream' clashes with Helen's idealistic belief in the importance of the inner self and the invisible.

## Character check-ins

### Helen Schlegel

Philosophizes about the 'I' and supermen, defends her sister Margaret, and tries to console Leonard Bast while grappling with her own loneliness.

### Leonard Bast

Shares his family history and shame about Jacky's past, conceals his knowledge of Mr. Wilcox's affair with Jacky, and expresses his materialist view of life.

### Margaret Schlegel

Mentioned as Helen's sister, about to be married, and the recipient of a letter sent to Helen at the hotel.

### Jacky Bast

Leonard's wife, who is resting in her room after the journey; her past and her discovery about Mr. Wilcox are alluded to.

### Henry Wilcox

Discussed by Helen as an example of a 'superman' lacking the 'I'; Leonard conceals his knowledge of Henry's involvement with Jacky.

## Key lines

> There are two kinds of people—our kind, who live straight from the middle of their heads, and the other kind who can't, because their heads have no middle? They can't say 'I.' They aren't in fact, and so they're supermen.

Helen divides humanity into those who possess a true inner self (the 'I') and those who lack it, calling the latter 'supermen' who act without self-awareness.

_Helen articulates her philosophical distinction between authentic individuals and the Wilcox-like 'supermen'._

> Death destroys a man: the idea of Death saves him.

While physical death ends a person's life, the concept of mortality gives life meaning and liberates one from the tyranny of materialism.

_Helen's central argument that awareness of death is a source of salvation and perspective._

> The real thing's money, and all the rest is a dream.

Leonard asserts that money is the only genuine reality, and everything else—art, nature, ideals—is illusory.

_Leonard's materialist worldview, shaped by his experience of poverty and a bailiff seizing his books._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/howards_end_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/howards_end_se/chapters