Howards End Wealth Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

"When your Socialism comes it may be different, and we may think in terms of commodities instead of cash. Till it comes give people cash, for it is the warp of civilization, whatever the woof may be. The imagination ought to play upon money and realize it vividly, for it's the--the second most important thing in the world. It is so slurred over and hushed up, there is so little clear thinking--oh, political economy, of course, but so few of us think clearly about our own private incomes, and admit that independent thoughts are in nine cases out of ten the result of independent means. Money: give Mr. Bast money, and don't bother about his ideals. He'll pick up those for himself." (15.3)

Yet again, Margaret comes out and stands up against what she perceives to be the naively idealistic notions of her sister and their friends, saying that if you really want to help a man pull himself up in the world (for example, Leonard), the only thing to do is give him cold, hard cash – it's enough to purchase things like ideas eventually.

Quote #5

"Helen wouldn't agree with me here," [Margaret] continued. "Helen daren't slang the rich, being rich herself, but she would like to. There's an odd notion, that I haven't yet got hold of, running about at the back of her brain, that poverty is somehow 'real.' She dislikes all organization, and probably confuses wealth with the technique of wealth. Sovereigns in a stocking wouldn't bother her; cheques do. Helen is too relentless. One can't deal in her high-handed manner with the world." (20.8)

Again, we see the difference between worldly Margaret and high-minded Helen – the younger sister fails to recognize the practical uses of wealth, even though she can only truly be herself because she's wealthy. It's a quietly elitist attitude.

Quote #6

"There always have been rich and poor. I'm no fatalist. Heaven forbid! But our civilization is moulded by great impersonal forces" (his voice grew complacent; it always did when he eliminated the personal), "and there always will be rich and poor. You can't deny it" (and now it was a respectful voice)--"and you can't deny that, in spite of all, the tendency of civilization has on the whole been upward." (22.15)

Henry's opinion is, once again, in opposition to the Schlegel perspective. He argues against Helen that disparity in wealth is inevitable – and, furthermore, that the world requires it to make progress.