Forster's principal technique in Howards End originated from the now "old-fashioned," simple, but always effective elements of personal relationships and the conflicting values that invariably arise from them. The very title of the novel stands as the signpost for a place, and the meaning behind that sign represents a search for a home. Thus, Forster sends the Schlegels, dissatisfied with imperialistic militarism and reactionism, out of Germany to search for a home. In Germany the Schlegels had met the Wilcoxes, and the relationships begin there. One discovers, however, that for Forster, those relationships create only conflict or disruption. Both families reject the notion of a union between Paul Wilcox and Helen Schlagel. Ruth Wilcox appears to have nothing in common with her husband outside of the fact that she married him, while her ties with her sons and daughter ended with the cutting of the umbilical cord. Ruth...