Date of Award
5-2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
College/School
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department/Program
English
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Jonathan D. Greenberg
Committee Member
Monika Elbert
Committee Member
Wendy C. Nielsen
Abstract
E. M. Forster’s novel Howards End explores transitions within early twentieth century London society’s morals, values, and class divisions. I track the progression from excess and affluence to rural, pastoral simplification within the characters’ lives and lifestyles. The first chapter examines class relations and social expectations, including a focus on consumerism, accumulation, and inheritance. Character and critics discussions in reference to class, poverty, and accumulation are reviewed. The second chapter connects Howards End to utopian communes, the dystopian society in Forster s The Machine Stops,” and examines Howards End as a site for a potential utopia. Howards End as a utopian text acts as a model or example for the rest of society. At Howards End, peace, happiness, and cooperation can be achieved, transcending class distinction and the unequal distribution of wealth.
File Format
Recommended Citation
Rettino, Danielle Marie, "The Struggle to Utopia : Social Reform, Accumulation, and Transformation in Howards End" (2014). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 581.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/581