A Passage to India is a notable literary work by E. M. Forster. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts,
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Comment on the British Raj in India in the novel “A Passage to India.” [NU: 2013, 16]
E. M. Forster (1879-1970) published “A Passage to India” in 1924. The novel shows the British Raj in Chandrapore. It is about rulers and ruled. It is about division, arrogance, and misunderstanding. Characters like Dr. Aziz, Mrs. Moore, Adela Quested, Ronny Heaslop, Fielding, and Turton show how colonial rule divided people. Forster tells the truth about the empire.
Division in Chandrapore: Chandrapore is divided. The Indian town is dirty. Forster says,
“The inhabitants of mud moving”.
The civil station is clean. English people live there. Aziz, Hamidullah, and Mahmoud Ali live in the bazaar. Ronny Heaslop, Mr. Turton, Mrs. Turton, Major Callendar, and Mrs. Callendar live on the hill. They do not mix. Mrs. Moore and Adela Quested want to see the “real India.” But walls already exist. Raj separates people by place and power.
The Bridge Party and Fake Goodwill: Mr. Turton is the Collector of Chandrapore. He arranges a Bridge Party. He says it will join East and West. Aziz, Hamidullah, Mahmoud Ali, and Nawab Bahadur attend. Mrs. Turton and Mrs. Callendar are asked to welcome purdah women. But the party fails. Indians stand on one side. English stands the other. Mrs. Moore and Adela Quested sincerely try to talk. Adela’s wish to see the real India. But the City Magistrate, Ronny Heaslop, mocks. He says,
“The educated Indians will be no good to us if there’s a row… they don’t matter”.
Mrs. Turton insults women. Mrs. Callendar earlier insulted Aziz by taking his tonga. This shows fake goodwill. The Raj pretends friendship. But pride and insult remain.
Racial Arrogance and Injustice: The Raj shows arrogance. Major Callendar rudely orders Aziz to come. But Callendar is not there. Mrs. Callendar and Mrs. Lesley take Aziz’s carriage without permission and insult him. Indians are not allowed at the club. Fielding is kind. But Ronny, Mr. Turton, and Mrs. Turton see Indians as inferior. NawabUnlock this study guide now