In E. M. Forster's Howards End, what does the epigraph "Only connect…" mean?

You can find plenty of examples to justify your reading. It certainly applies to the character of Henry Wilcox, who could be a better person if he listened to the passions that he has inside rather than focussing only to materialist and economic concerns.

I would also interpret the epigraph as an invitation to connect with all types of people, regardless of social class and social conventions. The story of the artistic and idealist Schlegels siblings and the Wilcoxes, a capitalist British family, points out the hypocrisy of social conventions. Forster does not achieve this critique through direct attacks and ridicule. He rather opts for a psychological novel, where he makes a firm appeal for the necessity to bridge social differences to avoid tragedy. The death of Leonard Bast and the consequent imprisonment of Charles Wilcox are results of sharp social divisions. On the contrary, the marriage between Margaret and Henry, their reconciliation after Bast's death and Helen's decision to raise her son (whose father is Bast) at Howard's End (which he will inherit after Margaret's death) show that different parts of British society can learn to coexist. This reading complements your own. In fact, the Wilcoxes can stand for outer life and for material everyday life, while the Schlegels represent inner life and a more idealist dimension to our existences.

What is the significance of the epigraph "only connect" in Howards End and its relation to Tom Howard?

Howards End is really a story about the social, economic and philosophical forces that were at work during this time in England. It was right after WWI and people were so focused on what they could get and what status they were in.

Margaret Schlegel is the main protagonist in the novel. She is the sister to Helen and Tibby and eventually becomes the wife of Henry Wilcox. She is twenty nine years old and living in London in the early years of the 20th century. She cares very much about personal relations. She wants people to overlook "class" and just treat each other with dignity. She is quoted throughout the book as saying "only connect". She longs for people to be able to reach out to each other. She wants people to truly communicate with each other and look beyond the superficial barriers, such as class and gender. She believes it is a philosophical answer to the behavior of people. There needs to be a human connection with no boundaries of prejudice. If people would only connect with each other, then the world would be such a better place. This is the way Margaret thinks and believes. She is a remarkable character.

If everyone would truly reach out and connect with each other, then things would be so much better. In this way of thinking, we need to overlook anything we consider as not worthy, and just treat each other with the respect and dignity we all deserve.

What is the main idea behind the epigraph "Only connect ..." in Howards End?

In Howards End, Margaret’s character upholds the epigraph’s message to “Only connect ...” as a moral concept that serves to transcend social rank, gender, and indoctrinated prejudice in early twentieth-century England. This idealistic message means we should strive for personal connection with all people, despite the differences in our beliefs and backgrounds. The novel explores the ongoing contrast and turmoil between the Schlegel and Wilcox families: the Schlegel family represents intellectual and humanistic values, and the Wilcox family symbolizes capitalistic and enterprise-driven principles.

The unlikely union of Margaret Schlegel and Henry Wilcox operates as a unifying device to dispel the differences between the families and to promote harmony amid class differences. Throughout the course of the novel, Margaret connects the concepts of business and art, realizing that art’s impact would not exist without financial support. This attempt at “connecting” two opposing forces is also embodied in the Howards End estate. This house was initially bequeathed to Margaret after Ruth Wilcox’s passing, since the two shared a deep admiration for Howards End and the way the idyllic property promotes returning to nature despite urban modernization.

The importance of Howards End and the unity it represents is ultimately conveyed when the property is willed to Helen and Leonard’s illegitimate child, once Margaret passes away. This gesture by Henry shows the barriers of intolerance dissolving and how love can prevail and “connect” people amid societal constructs.