Howards End - E.M Forster

Although A Room with a View didn’t make a lasting impression on me, I found Howards End to be much deeper and more philosophically engaging. Howards End looks at social problems and how people behave between classes, but it also goes deeper into the characters’ thoughts and feelings. The themes feel different too. The story talks about class and social differences , but it also deals with harder issues like responsibility and understanding between people during Edwardian era or early twentieth century

Howards End begins with a letter from Helen Schlegel to her sister Margaret, telling her about an impulsive romance with Paul Wilcox during Helen's visit at Howards End. However, Mr. Wilcox dismisses the relationship as unserious because Paul “hasn’t a penny” to marry. In the Wilcox family, a man must be financially independent before taking a wife, even though the family itself is wealthy.

The Schlegels live at Wickham Place in London—Margaret being the eldest, followed by Helen and their brother Tibby. The Wilcoxes live across the street for a time, and during this period Margaret becomes close to Mrs. Ruth Wilcox. Ruth sees something genuine and trustworthy in Margaret, something that reminds her of the spirit of Howards End-the property of Ruth Wilcox, and the house where she was born. This connection leads Ruth to leave Howards End to Margaret in her will—on a piece of paper written by her hand. This becomes the source of the conflict between the Wilcoxes and the Schlegels. The Wilcoxes assume that the house belongs to them and treat Ruth’s deathbed wish as sentimental nonsense rather than a real inheritance. 

Leonard Bast first meets the Schlegels when he comes to Wickham Place to retrieve his umbrella after Helen mistakenly takes it at a concert. The sisters become interested in him because he seems thoughtful and eager to improve himself. They invite him into conversations about books and life, which makes Leonard feel respected. 

The three families in Howards End, each from a different social class, really interest me because they show how people live and think in completely different ways. The Wilcox, the upper-class represent as practical, materialist, and power. Their bussines somehow is building the empire. The Schlegels,  upper-class but not as royal as Wilcoxes, they are more like bohemian, they value arts, books and philoshopy. The Bast or Leonard Bast is the lower-class, he is poor but sometimes loses himself while reading, he believe with reading he want to become "something". 

The heroine of this novel is Margaret, at the begining in the novel she 28 years old but her personality is mature, she is able to connect the people from different classes, and brave enough to confront about idealism with her husband who is very phatriach. She is contrast with Wilcoxes who think success and wealth are proof of superiority, Margaret thinks every person has value, whether rich or poor. Mr. Henry Wilcox remarks that "there are always the rich and the poor", and this reflects his worldview, believe that class divisions are natural. I think he benefits from this system, because his companies rely on lower-class workers.

This outer life, though obviously horrid, often seems the real one —there’s grit in it.

Helen Schlegel is too romanticize her life, and fancying the idealistic life where everyone is equal. Offcourse by reading books too much, we can't solve every problem in this life, but with reading we gain an educated mind, emphaty for our hearts, and appreciate the artistic in life, those are what Forster said about "the inner life" that holds our feelings. Helen insist to help Mr. Bast whatever its cost. Different from her sister, Margaret brings something new to the Wilcox family—she feeds their minds, comforts their hearts, and reminds them that life is more than just work and keep getting whealty, these are also what Forster said to us, that The Wilcoxes just have "the outer life" shaped by work, duty, and society’s expectations. Because the true harmony comes when we learn to connect the two, the inner and the outer life.

"Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer. Only connect, and the beast and the monk, robbed of the isolation that is life to either, will die."

The Schlegels’ idea of “Only Connect” suggests that people from the lower class, like Leonard Bast, can be helped through meaningful connection with those from the upper class. The rich may offer advice or guidance, but misunderstandings still happen because a real gap exists between the classes, such as different experience and practical knowledge. Leonard is intelligent, but his idealism and ambition clash with the Wilcoxes’ practicality and the realities of his own situation. The novel asks whether someone from the lower class in that era could truly “rise,” or whether the rigid social structure makes such upward movement extremely difficult. 

The novel ends at Howards End, returning to where it began. Forster wants readers to understand the philosophy of a house—not merely as a building, but as a place filled with history and meaning. Ruth and Margaret value the house because they believe it represents continuity, harmony, and connection. This contrasts with the Wilcoxes, who see the house only as a piece of property.

In the end, I find Forster’s writing  is easy to read, well structured though heavy issues and sharp social commentary. He often describes London in 1910 as cloudy and polluted because of motor-car smoke, which makes the city feel busy and heavy. In contrast, he shows the English countryside as calm, relaxing, and peaceful. This difference highlights how Forster sees the countryside as a place where people can find clarity and connection.

Ruang Buku Megga Rated : ✬✬✬✬(4/5)
Title : Howards End
Author : E. M Forster
Publisher : Penguin English Library
Year : 2012 (First Published in 1910)
Format / Pages : Softcover / 382 pages
ISBN : 978-0141199405

The House of Mirth - Edith Wharton

Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth moved me profoundly. Ever since I finished the novel a few days ago, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it as I try to make sense of my feelings. There is no doubt that I was captivated by it—so much so that my thoughts have been entirely absorbed in trying to understand it. To truly comprehend its depth and to fully grasp it I could not do without cliffnotes, literary charts or watch the biography of Edith Wharton from historical channel for masterful help.

The complexity of Lily Bart

Gillian Anderson as Lily Bart,
The House of Mirth (2000)

“She was so evidently the victim of the civilization which had produced her, that the links of her bracelet seemed like manacles chaining her to her fate.” (Book I, Chapter 6)

Lily Bart, 29 years old is looking for a husband. She is trapped by the very society that made her. The bracelet, a symbol of beauty and wealth, becomes a chain that holds her down. Lily wants to live honestly and be free from society’s pressure, but she depends on it at the same time. She knows what is wrong with the world she lives in, but she cannot escape it. It is complex, because she lives between what she wants and what she believes is right. 

“She had learned that a woman’s dignity may cost her all she has; but that the absence of it is the costlier thing.”  (Book II, Chapter 7)

In the begining of the novel, Lliy is on the way to attend a house party which her friends, Judy Trenor as a hostes. In this occasion, it is a sadly normal things that a woman in the society like her to seduce a whealty men for a husband, not actually 'sex seduction', but a social performence, expected to marry well. Lily want to attract Percy Gryce, she meet him in a train, but her conversation interupted by Bertha Doreset, one of Lily's friends in her socilite circle who wants to keep Lily from rising higher.

Lily Bart and Lawrence Selden

On the same day, before taking the train to Bellomont, Lily meets Lawrence Selden. She is waiting at the station after visiting her aunt, Mrs. Peniston, when she suddenly spots him among the crowd. Selden invites her to his nearby flat for a cup of tea, and because she doesn’t want anyone to see them together.

“Isn’t marriage your vocation? Isn’t it what you’re all brought up for?”

 (Selden, Book I, Chapter )

“Ah, there’s the difference—a girl must, a man may if he chooses.”She surveyed him critically. “Your coat’s a little shabby—but who cares? It doesn’t keep people from asking you to dine. If I were shabby no one would have me: a woman is asked out as much for her clothes as for herself. The clothes are the background, the frame, if you like: they don’t make success, but they are a part of it. Who wants a dingy woman? We are expected to be pretty and well-dressed till we drop—and if we can’t keep it up alone, we have to go into partnership.” (Lily, Book I, Chapter)

The conversations between Lily Bart and Lawrence Selden are among the most fascinating parts of The House of Mirth. Besides providing an overview of the double standards in the early twentieth century, through their dialogue, Edith Wharton emphasizes the contrast between individual ideals and the corrupt social system that shapes their lives.

He sat up with sudden energy, resting his elbows on his knees and staring out upon the mellow fields. “My idea of success,” he said, “is personal freedom."

“Freedom? Freedom from worries?"
"From everything—from money, from poverty, from ease and anxiety, from all the material accidents. To keep a kind of republic of the spirit— that’s what I call success."

It is clear that Lily and Selden stand on opposite sides of that world: while Lily is trapped within the glittering but merciless society she depends on, Selden remains outside, observing and judging it with moral detachment. Selden’s belief in a “republic of the spirit” represents a vision of freedom based on integrity and inner worth rather than wealth. Yet tragically, Lily cannot fully embrace that ideal—she knows that Selden is not wealthy enough to sustain the luxurious life her upper-class world demands. So, they are intellectually and emotionally equal, but unequal socially and  freedom.

The Character's mirror  and The Social Game

In The House of Mirth show that not everyone who looks kind really is. People in Lily's world care more about gossip and appearance than honesty or friendship. Everything around her feels like a masked ball, where everyone wears smiles to cover their true faces, that the beautiful world of the rich is often just a disguise for greed and competition.

“It was one of the laws of Lily’s world that she must amuse her friends, but never let them see that they amused her.”

Edith Wharton uses Bertha Dorset, Carry Fisher, and Gerty Farish as three different paths that Lily Bart could take — like multiple choices offered by society. Each woman represents a possible way for Lily's future. Bertha chooses wealth and power through lies and manipulation. Gerty chooses honesty and kindness, but lives a poor and lonely life. Carry learns how to adapt — she is not cruel, but she plays the social game just enough to live comfortably. Wharton shows that for women like Lily, every choice leads to loss: if she chooses goodness, she loses comfort; if she chooses wealth, she loses freedom. None of the options offer real happiness. In this world, beauty and charm are social currency, and one misstep leads to ruin. Lily begins as a skilled player but gradually realizes that the game itself is corrupt.

Conclusion:

In the end, The House of Mirth is not merely the story of one woman, but also a reflection of the world and circumstances she navigates. Through Lily Bart’s experiences, Wharton critiques the shallow values of the society she once belonged to. She also gives readers plenty of room to imagine, using subtlety and ambiguity, especially in the ending, which invites interpretation. Her elegant, suggestive style makes readers active participants in understanding the story. This is what gives her writing enduring power, allowing it to remain relevant and widely discussed more than a century later. 

Ruang Buku Megga Rated : ✬✬✬✬✬(5/5)
Title : The House of Mirth
Author : Edith Wharton
Publisher : Penguin English Library
Year : 2012 (First Published in 1905)
Format / Pages : Softcover / 400 pages
ISBN : 9780141199023

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Wuthering Heights - Emily Brontë

Wuthering Heights  is the only novel written by Emily Brontë. Considered a masterpiece of Gothic fiction, it centers on the intense and tragic love between Heathcliff and Catherine, a passion that transforms into hatred and revenge. The story told by Nelly Dean, former servant of Wuthering Heights and later become the servant of Thrushcross Grange rented by Mr. Lockwood in the present time of this book. 

Wuthering Heights is a house on the top of the moor, stormy and windy, which fits the wild weather that often surrounds the house. The atmosphere is dark, cold, and rough. The house is built strong to face the violent storms, but inside it feels gloomy and harsh. Mr. Earnshaw, the mister of this house, has brought  neglected orphan boy, later named Heatcliff, when he's come back from Liverpool. Heathcliff has dark-skinned, dirty, and poor, black hair, black eyes, and a gypsy-like appearance that makes him look very different from the Earnshaw family. After Mr. Earnshaw died; Heathcliff was often treated as a servant by Hindley, he found pleasure and happiness when playing with Catherine who thought of her as a friend and play together. Times flies, this friendship soon become  lover.

The Karamazov Brothers - Fyodor Dostoevsky

In The Karamazov Brothers, Dostoevsky employs four main characters to weave his story and express his philosophical vision. First is Fyodor Karamazov, a corrupt and selfish father who neglects his three sons. His eldest, Dmitry, born from his first wife, is passionate and impulsive; Ivan, the second son from his second wife, is an intellectual skeptic who struggles with faith; and the youngest, Alyosha, is gentle and spiritual, embodying Christian love. Though the brothers share the same blood, they do not share the same beliefs or values.

Alyosha is the chosen hero of the story—handsome, kind-hearted, and deeply spiritual. Dostoevsky introduces Father Zosima as a revered elder monk, believed by many to perform miracles. The plot begins with the Karamazov family meeting Father Zosima, who serves as both witness and counselor in a scandal involving Fyodor and Dmitry. The scandal centers on their rivalry over the same woman, Grushenka, whose beauty and charm ignite jealousy, lust, and resentment between father and son. This moral and emotional conflict becomes the foundation of the novel’s tragedy. 

Jane Eyre - Charlotte Brontë

Charlotte Brontë only written four great books. But if she ever wrote a book with her passion and spirit, it is Jane Eyre. I haven't read all his books, but enough to be assured that it is so. Charlotte Brontë is well-known for her gender roles and feminism writing and satirical social class and Inequality. But in Jane Eyre, her writing is beautiful, passionate, and sincere. She blends romance, gothic mystery and social criticsm making it both personal revolutionary work.

The story of Jane Eyre tells about Jane’s life from her hard childhood until she becomes an independent woman. She faces many struggles, learns about love and self-respect, and always tries to stay true to her own values. The novel is told by Jane herself, so we can really feel her thoughts and emotions. The book also tells about other people around Jane, which helps us see what life was like in the Victorian time. We can see the difference between rich and poor, how women were treated unfairly, and how hard life was for many people. It also talks about family, love, and morals, which makes Jane Eyre feel like a complete story about life.

Review : The Return of The Native - Thomas Hardy

In The Return of the Native, the reader is introduced to Egdon Heath, a dry and isolated land where the characters live. The soil is poor and farming is hard, so many people make a living by cutting furze, a tough shrub used for fuel. This simple, difficult work shows how closely their lives depend on the heath. 

Eustacia Vye lives with her grandfather, Captain Vye, in a cottage on Egdon Heath. Because she is different from the other villagers—beautiful, proud, and mysterious—people gossip about her and even say she is a witch. This shows how she does not fit in with the simple life of the heath and why she dreams of escaping it. Eustacia longs to go to Paris, dreaming of a brighter and more exciting life than the lonely heath can offer. But she cannot go on her own—her future depends on finding a man who will marry her and take her there. For her, love is not just about romance, but also a way to escape and reach the life she desires.

The title The Return of the Native mainly refers to Clym Yeobright, whose return brings a fresh breeze to the dry and lonely heath. After spending years in Paris, he comes back with new ideas and energy, raising hopes and stirring changes in the quiet life of Egdon. Eustacia uses her charm and beauty to draw Clym closer, hoping to shape his path toward her own desires. She sees him as the one who could take her away from the heath, and with her seductive presence she tries to guide him, like stepping stones, toward the dream she longs for.

Lady Chatterley's Lover - D.H. Lawrence

Connie’s marriage to Clifford was shaped more by social expectation than true love. At first, she tried to be a loyal and supportive wife, unfortunately Clifford returned from the war, paralyzed. Their relationship lacked physical intimacy as Clifford became more absorbed in his writing and intellectual world. Connie still young and full of life, began to feel lonely and invisible till Connie met Mellors, the gamekeeper of Wragby and Clifford’s servant, and over time, their quiet understanding grew into a deep and unexpected love.

It’s like—I don’t fully agree with what Connie to Clifford. I feel pity for Clifford—a  but is crippled, powerless, and impotent. He’s trapped in his own pride and intellect, unable to truly connect with Connie emotionally or physically. On the other hand, I also sympathize with Connie, who feels no joy or warmth at Wragby. It’s not entirely her fault; a man like Clifford never truly tried to understand her needs as a woman. Connie longs for freedom—to live by her own choices rather than stay imprisoned in an unhappy marriage. True love rarely comes in a lifetime, and when she found it in Mellors, she felt lucky. She surrendered to it, even if it meant giving up her social status, because for the first time, she truly felt alive.

Connie was raised with a sense of freedom, nothing could stop her from choosing her own happiness. She decided to follow her heart and trust in Mellors, the only man she truly loved. Some might say this is selfish in a world led by men, but the truth is, we women also have a choice—to live fully, not just to endure.

Lady Chaterley's Lover is not only about adultery and intimacy; it also serves as proof that Connie and Mellors relationship becomes a lens that subtly explores issues of class difference, economic disparity, the changing geographical landscape of old England, and the emotional damage caused by industrialization and social expectation. They reach a kind of primordial happiness—simple, natural, and deeply human. Away from the noise of society and industrial life, they find joy in each other’s presence, both physical and emotional bond.

Okay, maybe I’m a bit weird for liking this scandalous author, and I feel a little ashamed for reading this book. But somehow, despite the controversy, the story speaks to something real. I think, the readers in the early 20th century were not ready for Lady Chatterley's Lover because social and moral values at that time were much more conservative, especially involving a married woman and a working-class man, and were considered inappropriate and even scandalous. I don't know in this century, book like this become a common though I rarely read contemporer fiction, but the question is "why" ? people nowdays is more liberal to express their art and tought,  and the publisher does not censor strictly and basicly sales the book based on provit oriented. Nevertheless, classic authors stand out not just for their breakthroughs in literature, but also for their courage to speak about taboo subjects that reflect real human experiences. The more controversial, the more interesting for me, and the more forbidden the more I want to read. This is the second reading from D.H Lawrence, I would like to read more books from him. I also curious with The Rainbow.

"One may go against convention, but one must keep up tradition.”

Ruang Buku Megga Rated : ✬✬✬✬(4/5)

Title : Lady Chatterley's Lover

Author : D.H Lawrence
Publisher : Signet Classics

Year : 2011 (First Published in 1928)
Format / Pages : Softcover /368 pages
ISBN :  9780451531957

Bleak House - Charles Dickens

I pledge to read at least one Dickens novel each year, as a way to stay connected with the richness of classic literature. When I came across Bleak House, I didn’t expect much—until I found myself completely absorbed into the world Dickens created. His words drew me in so deeply that it felt like I was living alongside the characters, wandering through the fog of London, feeling their struggles and hopes. It was an unforgettable, immersive reading experience—one that reminded me why Dickens remains timeless.

The case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce is a very old and confusing court. It is about a group of people fighting over a large amount of money left in a will. The case had been going on for many years, so long that even the people involved didn’t fully understand it anymore. It wasted everyone’s time and money, and many people’s lives were ruined while waiting for the result. 

Esther Summerson, Richard Carstone, and Ada Clare are closely connected to each other through both personal relationships and the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case. Esther is the kind and humble narrator of the story, who becomes a companion and guardian to Ada. Ada and Richard are young cousins who fall in love, and both are wards in the Jarndyce case, meaning their futures depend on the outcome of the lawsuit. They all live together at Bleak House under the care of Mr. John Jarndyce, who acts as a father figure. While Esther tries to keep peace and offer wisdom, Richard becomes obsessed with the court case, which causes tension and worry, especially for Ada. Their lives become more complicated and emotional as they try to support each other while dealing with the harmful effects of the endless lawsuit.

Bleak House has many mysteries, many subplot are conected to each other, at first, the novel seems to have many separate storylines, but as the story goes on, Dickens slowly shows that all these plots are interwoven. The mysteries about Lady Dedlock's past become a central of the story, is about where she really comes from and the secret she hides. Mr. Tulkinghorn, her husband's serious and cold lawyer, becomes suspicious and starts watching her closely. He tries to find out the truth, like a cat chasing a mouse. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a hidden connection between Lady Dedlock and Esther Summerson. Their pasts are secretly tied together, and this mystery becomes one of the most important parts of the story.

In this novel, Dickens shows how the law system is full of problems and corruption. The lawyers make the case go on for many years without ending it, just so they can keep getting paid. They do not really care about helping people, but only about making money. This makes the people suffer while the lawyers and the court waste time and money. 

Dickens made Esther’s character is truly angelic, she is kind, patient, humble, and always puts others before herself. Esther was admired by several gentlemen, including the clerk law clerk at Kenge and Carboy, William Guppy and the surgeon Allan Woodcourt.

I like the character of Lady Dedlock, she is truly a noble lady. She remains strong, elegant, and graceful even when facing difficult and painful situations. Despite the secrets and dangers around her, she keeps her dignity and never loses her composure, she shouldering the flawless future of the Deadlock family.

Afterwhile, we see that Bleak House has so many characters, too many to mention. Many of them are "devil-like" figures, such as Mr. Tulkinghorn and Mr. Vholes, the sly lawyer who drags out Richard Carstone’s case just to make money. There are also disgusting and selfish characters like Mr. Skimpole, who pretends to be innocent while taking advantage of others. But the most devil-like figures is the Chancery Court itself, because its broken system creates suffering without responsibility. 

I almost forget to mention Mr. Bucket ! 

The character of Mr. Bucket is a pioneer of the modern detective, as he shows sharp observation, calm thinking, and clever methods long before the classic detectives of later fiction. Mr. Bucket solved the central case of this novel.

Though it is long, every page builds a rich world filled with mystery, emotion, and unforgettable characters.  His writing may take time, but it rewards the reader with wisdom, beauty, and truth that still matter today. 5 stars for Bleak House.

Ruang Buku Megga Rated : ✬✬✬✬✬(5/5)

Title : Bleak House

Author : Charles Dickens
Publisher : Penguin Classics (black spine)

Year : 2003 (First Published in 1853)

Format / Pages : Softcover / 989 pages

Review Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoevsky

“Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth.”

I have never actualy read russian classics or anything like this book in my entire life till in 2024 I got acquainted with Leo Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, and from now on russian classics may have the big impact for my own. My first impression when reading The Crime and Punishment was how gloomy it was, how squalid at some place at St. Petersburg was when this book really invited me to dive into it, and we are also taken in depth into the depths of Raskolnikov's thoughts.

"it's better to face your demons instead of perpetually running away from them."

Crime and Punishment is told by a third-person narrator and follows a young student named Rodion Raskolnikov. He lives in St. Petersburg and comes from a poor and troubled family. His family cannot afford to pay for his school anymore, which makes him feel hopeless. He also becomes very upset when he finds out that his sister, Dunya (Ducheka), is being forced to marry a rich man just for money, to help the family. This makes Raskolnikov feel angry and lost, and it leads him to make difficult and dangerous choices in the story.

Review The Mill on The Floss by George Eliot

St. Ogg's is a small, old town in England by the River Floss. It has green fields, farms, and countryside all around it. The town has small streets, old buildings, and a close tie to the river, which is very important to the people who live there. Dorlcote Mill is just outside the town, close to the river, and the water powers the mill. The river is both pretty and risky, especially when it floods. The calm but changing scenery near St. Ogg's shows the lives and problems of the characters in The Mill on the Floss.

The Tullivers own Dorlcote Mill. The Tulliver family has owned the mill for many years. The mill is their home and how they make money. The Tullivers feel strongly about Dorlcote Mill, showing how important it is to their family and culture.

The main character is Maggie Tulliver, who had a childhood with strong emotions and big hopes. Many critics think she represents the author herself (George Eliot's real name was Mary Ann Evans). She was a smart and eager girl who loved to read and learn, and she often felt like she didn't fit in. Her brother, Tom Tulliver, was stubborn and didn't like new ideas, and he never understood Maggie. Maggie was very close to her brother Tom, and she was often compared to her cousin from her mother's side, Lucy Deane. Lucy's role in the story shows the contrast between people who easily fit into society, like her, and Maggie, who always struggled because she was different from what people expected of young women in the 19th century.

The story goes on from when they were kids to when they were adults. The Tulliver family's troubles begin when her father loses their mill, causing them shame and difficulty. Mr. Tulliver, Maggie’s father, gets into a fight with a man named Mr. Wakem. Mr. Tulliver borrows money to pay for a lawsuit against Wakem, but he loses the case. After that, he is unable to pay back the money he owes. Because of this, he has to sell the mill and everything he owns to pay his debts. This brings much sadness and trouble to the Tulliver family. This causes the Tulliver hated Wakem family, the hatred itself passed down to their next generations.