Discuss the relationship between Adela and Dr. Aziz in the novel A Passage to India.

Answer

Discuss the relationship between Adela and Dr. Aziz in the novel A Passage to India.

M. Forster’s (1879-1970) novel A Passage to India (1924) is about friendship and misunderstanding between the British and the Indians during British rule. The relationship between Adela Quested and Dr. Aziz is one of the most important parts of the story. Their friendship begins with hope but ends in confusion and pain. Through their relationship, Forster shows the barriers between two cultures.

A Meeting Full of Curiosity and Kindness: Adela comes to India with Mrs. Moore to see if she should marry Ronny Heaslop, the city magistrate of Chandrapore. She is curious about the “real India.” She says:

“I want to see the real India.”

She wants to meet Indians freely, not just through British parties. Dr. Aziz, a young Muslim doctor, is kind, lively, and emotional. He meets Mrs. Moore by chance in a mosque. Their friendly talk opens his heart. When Adela meets Aziz later, she also feels friendly and simple toward him. She says she wants to see the “true India,” and Aziz feels happy that an English lady wants to understand his country. Their first meetings show hope for friendship and understanding between East and West.

The Picnic to the Marabar Caves: The turning point in their relationship happens during the picnic to the Marabar Caves. Aziz arranges this trip to please Adela and Mrs. Moore. He works very hard to make everything perfect. He hires servants and brings food. He even arranges elephants for the guests. At first, the trip goes well. Adela and Aziz talk about his family, marriage, and Indian life. But inside the caves, something strange happens. The echo inside the cave confuses and frightens Adela. She suddenly feels lost. She thinks Aziz has attacked her. She runs out in shock and confusion. The misunderstanding in the cave becomes a picture of how little the British really understand India or its people. Aziz, unaware of what happened, goes to look for her. He later finds