Howards End · Chapter
XXXIII explained
Margaret visits Howards End to find that Miss Avery has unpacked and arranged all the furniture from Wickham Place throughout the house, despite Margaret and Henry's plans to build a new home in Sussex.
What happens
Margaret visits Howards End to find that Miss Avery has unpacked and arranged all the furniture from Wickham Place throughout the house, despite Margaret and Henry's plans to build a new home in Sussex. Miss Avery insists that Margaret will eventually live at Howards End. Margaret reflects on the beauty of the countryside and the deep, quiet sadness of rural life.
Themes in this chapter
The Meaning of Home and Heritage
Margaret's furniture from Wickham Place is installed at Howards End, symbolizing the merging of past and future homes.
Connection vs. Isolation
Margaret feels a sense of completeness and connection to the rural landscape and its deep, quiet sadness.
Characters to notice
- Margaret Schlegel
Visits Howards End, discovers Miss Avery has unpacked all her furniture, and insists she and Henry will not live there.
- Miss Avery
Has unpacked and arranged the Schlegel furniture at Howards End, insists Margaret will eventually live there.
- Henry Wilcox
Mentioned as Margaret's husband; they plan to build a new home in Sussex.
- Helen Schlegel
Mentioned as being abroad; her books are among the stored items.
- Tibby Schlegel
His old bassinette is placed in the nursery by Miss Avery.
- Evie Wilcox
Her rockery is overgrown; her silly letter may have irritated Miss Avery.
Key passages
“Come right into the hall first”
Miss Avery invites Margaret into the hall to show the rearranged furniture.
Margaret is shocked to find her belongings unpacked and arranged.
“It has been a mistake, and very likely our mistake.”
Margaret politely suggests that the misunderstanding is partly their fault.
Margaret tries to handle the situation diplomatically.
“You are living here now.”
Miss Avery insists that Margaret is already living at Howards End.
Miss Avery's prophetic statement about Margaret's future.
“Why has not England a great mythology?”
Margaret muses on the lack of a grand native mythology in England.
Reflects Margaret's contemplative mood and love of the countryside.
“The comradeship, not passionate, that is our highest gift as a nation, was promised by it”
Margaret feels the landscape promises a calm, unpassionate sense of national fellowship.
Highlights the theme of connection and national identity.