Forster’s depiction of the Anglo-Indian community in Chandrapore.
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, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of A Passage to India.
Answer
Critically examine Forster’s depiction of the Anglo-Indian community in Chandrapore. [NU: 2019, 21]
E. M. Forster’s (1879-1970) “A Passage to India” (1924) shows life under the Raj. The Anglo-Indian community in Chandrapore plays a central role. They are the rulers of India. They claim superiority over the natives. Through Ronny Heaslop, Mr. Turton, Mrs. Turton, Major Callendar, and Mrs. Callendar, Forster presents arrogance, prejudice, and fear. Their actions create division and show the flaws of the empire.
Social Superiority and Division: The Anglo-Indians live in the civil station. Forster writes about the civil station that,
“Shares nothing with the city except the overarching sky.”
Ronny (City Magistrate), Turton (Collector), Mrs. Turton, Callendar, and Mrs. Callendar live on the hill. Indians like Aziz, Hamidullah, and Mahmoud Ali live in the bazaar. The club of Chandrapore is the center of Anglo-Indian pride. Indians are excluded. Adela mixes politely with Indian ladies at the Bridge Party. Mrs. Turton tells Adela,
“You’re superior to them, anyway. Don’t forget that.”
This shows their belief in racial superiority. The Anglo-Indian community separates itself from the city and from its people.
Arrogance and Rudeness: Forster shows arrogance in daily life. Major Callendar orders Aziz rudely to come. When Aziz arrives, Callendar is not there. Mrs. Callendar and Mrs. Lesley take Aziz’s tonga (two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage) without permission. They insult him openly. At the club, the English gossip about Indians. Mrs. Turton and Mrs. Callendar insult purdah women at the Bridge Party. They show no respect for Indian customs. This arrogance creates hostility. The Anglo-Indian community sees Indians as inferior, not as equals.
The Bridge Party – False Goodwill: Mr. Turton, the Collector, arranges a Bridge Party. He says it will connect East and West. Nawab Bahadur, Aziz, Hamidullah, and Mahmoud Ali attend. Mrs. Turton and Mrs. Callendar are asked to welcome Indian ladies. But the party fails. Indians stand on one side. The English stand on the other. Ronny Heaslop mocks Adela’s wish to see India. He says,
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