Half a century after his demise, and over a century after the publication of his first novel Where Angels Fear to Tread in 1905, E. M. Forster still remains within the scope of interest of readers and critics. His life and his works continue to stir emotions and raise questions concerning humanity, nationality, and world culture(s). However, the opinions vary as to the continuation of the interest in the writer and his works. Some see him and his novels as old-fashioned, while others, like Zadie Smith, find Forster inspiring and the ‘muddled’ protagonists of his books fascinating. Is the interest in this writer to continue, or is it doomed to gradual oblivion? What is there in his life and his stories that can make new generations want to reach out for his works and writings? To understand the place of the writer in the present world, one must look back to the beginnings of Forster’s career, as well as to the times in which he lived, commented on, and created in. This book discusses the presence and legacy of Forster in English literature and social history. Its double title reflects the duality of its content, with the book exploring Forster’s own works as well as the position of Forster and his oeuvre and the values he stood for within British and world culture(s). The book offers, therefore, a variety of new interpretations of a selection of well-known and culturally established works of the writer viewed against the findings of contemporary perspectives. It demonstrates how Forster’s novel, short stories, and non-fictional writings interfuse, affect, and re-shape the literary pieces of other writers.

While meaning and purpose are often seen as synonymous, this book argues that they sometimes are in opposition, the search for meaning at times suicidal, and living with purpose life-enhancing and invigorating. No people seemed to search for meaning in their lives more than did the ancient and classical Greeks. They were not content with living simple lives but oftentimes took on gargantuan tasks which resulted in a great deal of upheaval and unpleasantness in their everyday lives, and oftentimes to disaster, indeed suicide. The biblical human being, in contrast, is not driven to search for meaning in this way. One’s purpose is inherent in daily life. He does not need to search for it. The God of the Hebrew Bible makes the human being, man and woman, in His own image. He then breathes life into man. Life has an inherent purpose. Man must be a steward of God’s creation.