The dying Ruth Wilcox (Vanessa Redgrave) wishes to leave her country home Howards End to Margaret Schlegel (Emma Thompson in an Academy Award-winning role) a modest woman of little means who will soon be forced out of her own home in London. But Ruth's husband Henry (Anthony Hopkins) an upper middle class businessman keeps secret her desire even after he and Margaret become friends. However after Henry and Margaret marry their class differences and philosophies threaten to cause them unhappiness.