Howard Manor · Bed Lamp. 4: English Learning Reader

Author: Wang Ruoping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: This series of readers is written by American authors and composed of 3,300 of the most commonly used words. The language is modern, authentic, and standard. It is pure and easy to understand. You can learn English deliciously without flipping through a dictionary while lying in bed. The novels feature people, their eating, drinking, sleeping, and daily activities, as well as their emotions, desires, complex relationships with others, and conflicts and harmonies with nature and society. This series selects 50 outstanding literary works from abroad that are worth reading in your lifetime. Reading these works not only helps you master English but also accumulates Western culture and enhances your personal taste and cultivation. Howards End is one of the important works of the British author Edward Morgan Forster (1879-1970) and is generally regarded as his most mature and outstanding early work. The plot summary is as follows: After the death of their parents, the Schlegel sisters live a comfortable life. While Helen, the younger sister, is a guest at Howards End, she falls in love with Paul at first sight, but their feelings are quickly suppressed, and the two families develop resentment. After several twists and turns, Margaret and Mrs. Wilcox's friendship deepens. On her deathbed, Mrs. Wilcox writes a short letter to her husband, leaving Howards End to Margaret. However, her will angers her husband and children, who destroy the letter. Margaret and her sister unexpectedly meet Leonard Bast, a poor but determined to be a gentleman. Later, they listen to Mr. Wilcox's careless words and persuade Bast to quit his insurance job, which only makes his situation worse. As time passes, Henry's fondness for Margaret grows, and he proposes to her, offering her a place to stay as a pretext. Helen takes Leonard and his wife to seek help from Henry, but it accidentally causes a major stir. Helen leaves without saying goodbye and goes to Germany. Margaret unexpectedly learns that Bast's wife, Jacky, is Henry's mistress from ten years ago. After painful reflection, Margaret makes peace with Henry and marries him as planned. Meanwhile, the furniture from Wilcox House is temporarily stored at Howards End. Helen has always refused to return, which worries Margaret greatly. Eventually, she follows Henry's advice and decides to "capture" Helen. Just as the plan is about to be carried out, Margaret suddenly discovers that Helen is pregnant. Helen, moved by the circumstances, asks to stay at Howards End with Margaret for one night. The next morning, Charles, obeying his father's orders, goes to Howards End to drive them away and encounters Mr. Bast, who has gone through great trouble to apologize. In a fit of rage, Charles kills Bast and is sent to prison. Margaret stays at Howards End to take care of Henry and Helen's child. After experiencing various changes and setbacks, Henry grows tired of his struggles and decides to leave the house to Margaret, who truly appreciates its value, and tells her about his former wife Lucy's will. The story ends with a scene of mowing the grass, and Howards End returns to its quietude, "both embodying the past and representing the future."