Why did the ‘Bridge Party’ fail to bridge the gap between the English and the Indians in “A Passage to India?”

Answer

Why did the ‘Bridge Party’ fail to bridge the gap between the English and the Indians in “A Passage to India?” [NU: 2017, 22] ★★★

E. M. Forster’s (1879–1970) “A Passage to India” (1924) shows division under the Raj. The Bridge Party in Chandrapore was meant to unite East and West. But it failed badly. Through Ronny, Turton, Mrs. Turton, Mrs. Moore, Adela, Aziz, and others, Forster shows arrogance and mistrust.

Physical and Social Division: Mr. Turton, the Collector, arranges the Bridge Party. He says it will bring the English and Indians closer. But division is clear. Indians like Aziz, Hamidullah, and Mahmoud Ali stand on one side. English like Ronny Heaslop (City Magistrate), Mrs. Turton, and Mrs. Callendar stand on the other side. Forster writes about the civil station that, 

“Shares nothing with the city except the overarching sky.”

This shows separation, not unity.

Racial Arrogance of the English: The Anglo-Indians treat the party as duty, not friendship. Adela mixes politely with Indian ladies at the Bridge Party. Mrs. Turton tells Adela, 

“You’re superior to them, anyway. Don’t forget that.”

Mrs. Callendar insults Indians openly. Ronny Heaslop mocks educated Indians. He says, 

“The educated Indians will be no good to us if there’s a row… they don’t matter.”

Such words show arrogance. Indians feel humiliated.

Failure of Goodwill: Mrs. Moore and Adela Quested try sincerely. They wish to meet purdah women. They want to see the “real India.” But the pride and prejudice of others ruin it. Aziz and Nawab Bahadur attend politely. Yet they see no respect. The Bridge Party becomes a symbol of false goodwill.

The Bridge Party fails because separation is too strong. The English act superior. Indians feel insulted. Characters like Ronny, Turton, Mrs. Turton, Mrs. Callendar, Mrs. Moore, Adela, Aziz, Hamidullah, and Nawab Bahadur all show that real unity is impossible under the Raj.