Katie

Nolt

British Literature 2

Dr. McCully

May 9, 2013


A Passage to India

On the surface, A Passage to India is a straightforward novel about two

English women who travel to India to visit friends and family. It describes their
experiences and relationships with fellow English men and women, as well as native
Indians. However, these interactions and details are only part of the overall theme
of the novel. There are undercurrents of political, religious, and social criticism.
The majority of the criticism is centered on the topic of imperialism. Forster uses
the experiences and relationships of the main characters to show the impact of
imperialism on the English peoples ability to connect with the native population as
well as their ability to connect with each other.

Miss Quested arrives in India with hopes and aspirations to see the real

India. She wants to connect with the native people and understand their culture.
However, she quickly realizes that her perspective is not accepted or shared by
fellow English men and women. When given the chance to interact with Indians at a
bridge party, Miss Quested is very disappointed with the results. The English people
and the Indians are segregated throughout the party. Adela and Mrs. Moore
eventually interact with some Indian women, however it ends in a cultural
miscommunication and her attempt to connect with the natives is unsuccessful.

Katie Nolt 12/10/14 10:59 AM

Comment [1]: The critical analysis of this
text shows that I have fulfilled NCTE
Standards 3.1 Knows skills of English
Language and 3.3 Knows reading process
and

Miss Questeds inability to connect with the Indians is partially due to the fact that
she is nave about her situation. Entering into a society where race and nationality
are the sole basis for ones status, it is not realistic that she, being a part of the
controlling race, is able to connect with the persecuted people. Although her
motives are sincere her expectations are not realistic.

On the contrary, Mr. Fielding is completely aware of the social prejudices at

work in colonial India. He recognizes that in order for his fellow Englishmen to
maintain control in India, they must put themselves on a higher social level than the
native Indians. They must separate and sever social and human connections with
the native population for their lifestyle to continue. Even though Fielding strongly
disagrees with this mindset, he is unable to change the social environment around
him. He attempts, throughout the novel, to connect with the natives, especially Aziz,
but ends up just as unsuccessful as Miss Quested. For example, in the closing lines of
the novel, Aziz and Fielding are taking their last ride together and they bemoan the
fact that despite their desire to be friends, they cannot be.
Both Adela and Mr. Fieldings attempts to connect with the Indian population
reveal the human desire to connect with and understand others. However, in the
context of imperialism and prejudice, this is not possible. In order to truly connect
with another person, one must view that person as an equal. It is clear through the
dialogues and attitudes of characters like the Turtons, that the English do not view
the Indians as equals. For example at the bridge party Mrs. Turton tells Adela,
Youre superior to them, anyway. Dont forget that. Youre superior to everyone in
India. This example shows that the English viewed themselves above the Indians,

both intellectually and socially. This attitude is mandatory to retain order and
control over a group of people. The English officials are bothered by Fieldings
views on, and interactions with, the Indian population because it could threaten
their stability. Although Miss Quested and Mr. Fielding do not necessarily share this
mindset, they are indirectly supporting this system merely by their presence in
India.
Foresters attention to detail when describing the Hindu and Moslem
traditions, emphasize the individuality of the Indian population. Recognition of
individuality is an additional aspect necessary for social connection. However, in a
society where imperialism is present, there is often an us versus them attitude.
The individual person is ignored and diversity is seen as irrelevant. This theme is
especially present leading up to the trial scene. For example, Mr. McBryde shares
his philosophy and lack of surprise at the arrest of Aziz, All unfortunate natives are
criminals at heart, for the simple reason that they live south of latitude 30. This
statement is not only prejudice, but it also shows McBrydes inability to see the
Indian people as individual people. He views all of them on the same denigrating
level rather than as diverse people of different cultural, religious, and moral
backgrounds.
This us versus them attitude not only impairs the English peoples ability to
connect with the native population, it also cripples them from really connecting with
each other. After the incident at the caves, Adela loses her identity. She is simply
seen as the poor girl who was attacked by an Indian. The Turtons who were cruel
and unkind to her leading up to the trial, fight hard for her case. It is clear though

Katie Nolt 12/10/14 11:40 AM

Comment [2]: My analysis and
interpretation of this complex text shows
that I have fulfilled the English
Departments Outcome 2

that they dont care about her as a person, she is simply a pawn in their power
struggle with the native population. Reveling after Aziz is arrested, All over
Chandrapore that day the Europeans were putting aside their normal personalities
and sinking themselves in their community. The English are forced to sacrifice
their own personalities and their individuality to fight for the cause. Although on
the surface they are unified, this unity is superficial. This superficiality is especially
apparent during the events following the trial. After Adela retracts her accusation of
Aziz, everyone abandons her except for Fielding. This shows that she was only
accepted and valued when she was useful to meeting the communitys agenda.
An additional example of the detrimental affects of imperialism on social
relationships is found when looking at the emotional state of Mrs. Moore near the
end of the novel. At the beginning of their journey to India, Mrs. Moore is portrayed
as a caring, compassionate, and faithful woman. She is open to the Indian people
and their culture. During one of the opening scenes of the novel she is able to
connect with Aziz at a mosque, they talk about parenting and Mrs. Moores trip.
Unlike many of the other English people, Mrs. Moore is able to connect with the
natives on a very basic human level. In some ways she is raised up to symbolize a
goddess-like figure as the novel progresses. However, her experiences in India are
far from picturesque. She arrives in India full of faith in God and faith in humanity,
but leaves full of bitterness and confusion. A pivotal change occurs during her trip
to the caves. After being inside the cave, she is emotionally affected. The experience
in the cave makes her feel as though nothing in the world has meaning and she is
faced with the misery and pain of the Indian people. In a way she is experiencing

the real India when she comes to terms with the suffering and evil in the world.
After this revelation, she is left faithless and unable to connect with other people.
When talking with Adela before the trial Forster describes her demeanor, her
Christian tenderness had gone, or had developed into hardness, a just irritation
against the human race. This description shows her complete change in attitude
and demeanor. The use of the word just also implies that her loss of faith in
humanity is warranted. Her inability to reconnect with Adela and Ronny after the
incident in the cave, supports the claim that once faced with the cruelty of humanity,
one can not truly connect with others. Mrs. Moore leaves India dejected and
separated from humanity.
In conclusion, the suffering and negative effects that imperialism has on the
native Indians, is apparent throughout the novel. However, Forster goes a step
further and expands upon the effects that it has on the imperialists. One of the most
apparent consequences is the effect that it has on their abilities to connect with
other human beings. In order for imperialist government to function, officials must
ignore the individuality and identities of the native population as well as their own
identities. Forster uses the relationships and attitudes of the characters to express
this theme.

Katie Nolt 12/10/14 11:03 AM

Comment [3]: My ability to make a claim
and support it using textual evidence shows
that I have fulfilled Outcome 3 of the
English Departments Requirements