Chapter 1 Summary

Howards End begins with three letters written by Helen to her sister Meg. She tells of how different the house is from what she expected, but that it really is quite lovely. Wonderful trees and all sorts of flowers surround it, and it seems to be covered in vines. The people of the house, the Wilcox family, are described as being most delightful and accommodating. Many of the folks there seem to have hay fever, though. Helen says that the way the Wilcox men manage through the hay fever could teach their brother, Tibby, a lot. Helen is having a glorious time and admits being in love with Paul, the Wilcox's younger son who had just arrived a few days before.

Chapter 1 Analysis

The locale Helen describes in her letters to Meg seems to be idyllic, and even the people are delightful. The...