What is the significance of the friendship between Dr. Aziz and Mrs. Moore?
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
What is the significance of the friendship between Dr. Aziz and Mrs. Moore? [NU: 2018, 19, 21] ★★★
E. M. Forster’s (1879–1970) “A Passage to India” (1924) shows many relationships between the English and the Indians. The most touching is between Dr. Aziz and Mrs. Moore. Their bond begins in the mosque. It grows with honesty, respect, and deep spiritual meaning.
Beginning in the Mosque: Aziz meets Mrs. Moore one evening in the mosque. At first, he is angry. He says,
“Madam! this is a mosque.”
She replies gently,
“I have taken them [my shoes] off… God is here.”
Aziz is moved. He feels true respect. A bond begins. Unlike Mrs. Turton or Mrs. Callendar, Mrs. Moore sees Indians as human. Aziz calls her “an Oriental.” Their meeting shows that friendship across cultures is possible.
Trust and Affection: Mrs. Moore always supports Aziz. She sees his goodness. At the trial, she knows he is innocent. But she is too weak to appear in court. Aziz, however, trusts her completely. Even after her death, he remembers her words. He tells others that Mrs. Moore was his real friend. To the Indian crowd, she becomes “Esmiss Esmoor,” almost a saint. Their affection is pure and free from politics.
Symbol of Hope and Separation: The friendship between Aziz and Mrs. Moore is full of meaning. It shows love beyond race. But it also ends in sadness. Mrs. Moore dies on her way home. Aziz feels abandoned. Yet he keeps her memory alive. Their friendship becomes a symbol of what might have been: trust between East and West. It shows that true unity is possible only with honesty and respect.
The friendship of Aziz and Mrs. Moore is simple but powerful. It begins with respect in the mosque. It grows with trust and love. It ends with loss but leaves hope. Through Aziz and Mrs. Moore, Forster shows spiritual unity beyond the Raj.