# Helen Schlegel — Howards End character guide > Helen Schlegel in Howards End by E. M. Forster. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mrs. Munt, Helen **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Who they are The younger Schlegel sister, all impulse and generous indignation, who flings herself at life and feels every rebuff as a moral failure. ## Relationships ### [Margaret Schlegel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/margaret_schlegel) _family_ Sisters with a deep, loving bond, though Helen's impulsiveness often clashes with Margaret's practicality. ### [Henry Wilcox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/henry_wilcox) _rivalry_ Antagonistic relationship fueled by Helen's disdain for Henry's hypocrisy and his role in Leonard Bast's ruin. ### [Charles Wilcox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/charles_wilcox) _rivalry_ Mutual hostility, with Charles viewing Helen as a disruptive force and Helen seeing him as a symbol of smug materialism. ### [Leonard Bast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/leonard_bast) _romantic_ A brief, impulsive affair born of pity and attraction, leading to pregnancy and tragedy. ### [Tibby Schlegel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/tibby_schlegel) _family_ Siblings with a warm but distant relationship, as Tibby's detached intellectualism contrasts with Helen's passionate nature. ### [Dolly Fussell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/dolly_fussell) _social_ Superficial acquaintances, with Dolly viewing Helen as eccentric and unpredictable. ### [Paul Wilcox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/paul_wilcox) _romantic_ A brief, intense flirtation that ended abruptly, leaving Helen disillusioned with the Wilcox family. ### [Aunt Juley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/aunt_juley) _family_ Aunt and niece, with Aunt Juley's anxiety over Helen's impulsive behavior creating a protective but strained dynamic. ### [Margaret Schlegel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/margaret_schlegel) _family_ Sisters with a deep, loving bond, though Helen's impulsiveness often clashes with Margaret's practicality. ### [Margaret Schlegel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/margaret_schlegel) _family_ Sisters with a deep, loving bond, though Helen's impulsiveness often clashes with Margaret's practicality. ### [Leonard Bast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/leonard_bast) _romantic_ A brief, impulsive affair born of pity and attraction, leading to pregnancy and tragedy. ### [Charles Wilcox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/charles_wilcox) _rivalry_ Mutual hostility, with Charles viewing Helen as a disruptive force and Helen seeing him as a symbol of smug materialism. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/i) Writes letters to her sister Margaret describing her visit to Howards End and her impressions of the Wilcox family. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/ii) Helen is the subject of the chapter's central crisis; her letter announces her love for a younger Wilcox son, but a later telegram declares it is 'all over.' ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/iii) Referenced through her letter and the supposed engagement to Paul. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/iv) Returns to Wickham Place in a state of collapse after her romance with Paul; reflects on her disillusionment with the Wilcox family and the intensity of her brief passion. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/v) Experiences the symphony with vivid imagery of goblins and heroes; feels shame after Leonard Bast's abrupt departure from their home. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/vi) Referenced through Leonard's thoughts; he recalls her remark about stealing an umbrella, which stung his pride. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/vii) Helen blushes when the Wilcoxes' move is mentioned, suggesting lingering feelings despite her denials. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/viii) Mentioned as having gone to Germany; her past romance with Paul is a key topic of conversation. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/ix) Mentioned as being in Germany; her absence is noted by Mrs. Wilcox. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xii) Writes from Germany about tobogganing and a marriage proposal from Herr Förstmeister; shows little emotional depth regarding Mrs. Wilcox's death. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xiii) Prepares a speech on political economy, enthusiastically recounts the visit of Mrs. Lanoline, and insists on writing to Aunt Juley about the incident. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xiv) Questions Leonard about his walk and his story, displaying youthful cruelty and curiosity. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xv) Passionately discusses Leonard Bast's situation at the dinner party and later urges Margaret to write to Bast about the Porphyrion's impending failure. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xvi) Shows sympathy for Leonard Bast, calls him 'poor dear Mr. Bast,' and tries to help him despite the awkward situation. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xvii) Referenced in conversation about auras and theosophy, and noted as not being invited to the lunch. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xviii) Helen participates in the family discussion about the house, expressing her views on their indecisiveness and reflecting on their father's ability to change countries. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xx) Briefly referenced in Margaret's thoughts about the past and in the discussion about housing arrangements. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxii) Angry and bitter about the Bast affair; confronts Henry's social Darwinism and accuses the upper classes of causing harm. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxiii) Defends her mystery about the engagement, speaks of life as puppetry, and vows to dislike Henry but love Margaret. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxv) Refuses her invitation to the wedding. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxvi) Helen brings the Basts to Oniton and argues for justice, but Margaret sends her away to avoid conflict. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxvii) Philosophizes about the 'I' and supermen, defends her sister Margaret, and tries to console Leonard Bast while grappling with her own loneliness. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxviii) Margaret writes to her about the Basts and asks her to come to the hotel; Helen is seen looking out of the coffee-room window. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxix) Has left the George early, causing Margaret concern; her whereabouts and intentions are unknown. ### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxx) Upset and seeking Tibby's advice about Henry Wilcox's behavior and the Basts' situation. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxi) Avoids meeting Henry after the marriage, retreats to Italy, and receives a letter from Margaret about charity in sexual matters. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxii) Helen is mentioned as having been away in Bavaria for eight months, causing concern among the family. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxiii) Mentioned as being abroad; her books are among the stored items. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxiv) Helen is absent but central; her erratic letters and refusal to meet her family cause alarm. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxv) Helen is discovered at Howards End, sitting in the porch, and is revealed to be pregnant. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxvi) Remains inside Howards End; Margaret opens the door to her at the end of the chapter. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxviii) The subject of the conversation; she wishes to sleep at Howards End before leaving for Munich. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxix) Discussed as the subject of Charles's suspicion; her connection to the Basts is revealed. ### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xl) Shares her feelings about Leonard Bast and her past hatred for the Wilcoxes, expressing a newfound understanding of Margaret's marriage. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xli) Referenced in Leonard's thoughts; he believes she is in trouble and remembers her love for the absolute and her flight after Oniton. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xlii) Staying at Howards End with Margaret; plans to leave for Germany after the confrontation. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xliii) Dumb with fright, trying to keep calm for her child's sake; sent to the farm to await the inquest before returning to Germany. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xliv) Returns to Howards End with her baby, reflecting on Leonard's death and her own emotional distance, but finding peace through Margaret's influence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/helen_schlegel - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters