Character Analysis Of The Schlegel Sisters In Howards End

Sister literature, if viewed from the early nineteenth century up until now, can be observed to be a special sphere of English literature. The writer would usually mould a pair of sisters with differentiated characters, with the hope to reveal their varied attitudes and values towards important matters in life as the plot unfolds. What is remarkable is the fact that the sisters would be propelled to make different decisions about life models at the latter part of the story. This kind of differences can be traced back to the root in their disparate characters. The theory of character determining life is fully demonstrated in this best exemplification. This thesis will focus on the Schlegel sisters of Howards End by E. M. Forster and adopt the approach of discourse analysis to conduct a comprehensive and meticulous examination of all the aspects of their characters. The thesis is comprised of 6 chapters. Chapter 2 elaborates on character similarities between the Schlegel sisters while their character differences are illustrated in chapter 3. In the former chapter, similarities are mainly represented from three aspects---personal independence, keen perception and eagerness"to connect"."To connect"is a vital motif running through the whole work and designating multiple layers of meaning. It not only includes the meaning of the sisters reaching out to connect with Leonard and Mr Wilcox, both of whom are representatives of disparate social classes; but also embodies the meaning of the intellectual sisters who are not content with confining themselves to the highbrow circle and therefore try to get in touch with the real life of the outer world. In the latter chapter, character differences are brought forth through four pairs of binary opposites existing in their characters, that is, rational vs sensible, realistic vs romantic, moderate vs extreme and flexible vs obstinate. Of course, there are certain characters that are unique to the Schlegel sisters respectively and these aspects will be provided with a separate chapter to expound. For Margaret, it is well worth notifying her capability to deal with crisis as well as her philosophical reflections on abstract matters in life such as death, work, culture and sex. In addition, details might be underlined for us to draw attention to her occasional radiations of sensibility which are easy to neglect. As for Helen, her figure is rendered more impressive by her actions of chivalry and her pure idealism. In these three chapters, scrupulous analysis will be given to show how their dissimilar characters have led them to set on different life paths. But a competent reader will perceive a spiritual reunion of the Schlegel sisters who are drawn together in the spiritual sanctuary of Howards End in the end of the book. This is considered as a special arrangement by E. M. Forster who endows this ending with symbolic meanings. In correspondence with this arrangement, another chapter needs to be put forward to elaborate on the final reunion of the Schlegel sisters. In this chapter, their characters will be re-examined to show how they have made adjustments to their characters in order to pursue a best ending for themselves. All in all, this thesis spares no effort to present the reader with an extensive and profound analysis of the characters of the Schlegel sisters with the hope of making contributions to the research of the sphere of sister literature.