Margaret Schlegel
The protagonist, a 29-year-old intellectual and idealistic woman of mixed English and German heritage. She values personal relationships and later marries Henry Wilcox, becoming the moral center of the story.

Helen Schlegel
Margaret’s younger sister, passionate and impulsive, representing the Schlegel family’s artistic and intellectual values. She has a brief affair with Leonard Bast, resulting in a child.

Henry Wilcox
The pragmatic and materialistic patriarch of the Wilcox family. He owns Howards End and marries Margaret after the death of his first wife, Ruth.

Ruth Wilcox
Henry’s first wife, a gentle and selfless woman who symbolizes England’s past. She wishes to leave Howards End to Margaret but is overruled by her family.

Leonard Bast
A poor insurance clerk striving for self-improvement through literature. His life intertwines tragically with the Schlegels and Wilcoxes, culminating in his death caused by Charles Wilcox.

Charles Wilcox
The eldest Wilcox son, aggressive and self-righteous. He kills Leonard Bast in a fit of rage and is later convicted of manslaughter.

Tibby Schlegel
Margaret and Helen’s younger brother, initially self-indulgent but showing growth by the novel’s end.

Aunt Juley Mund
The well-meaning but meddlesome aunt of the Schlegels.

Paul Wilcox
The youngest Wilcox son, who has a brief romantic entanglement with Helen before leaving for Nigeria.

Dolly Wilcox
Charles’ scatterbrained wife, often causing trouble unintentionally.

Evie Wilcox
The youngest Wilcox daughter, shallow and self-centered, who marries Percy Cahill.

Jacky Bast
Leonard’s wife and a former mistress of Henry Wilcox, adding complexity to the plot.

Miss Avery
An elderly spinster who cares for Howards End and predicts Margaret’s eventual residence there.

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