E. M. Forster’s novel
of 1924 is fundamentally a zeitgeist, depicting the tension of the British Raj during
the early twentieth century. Exploring relations between the British and their
Indian subjects, A Passage to India is
a masterly portrait of a society caught between conflicts of an imperialist
regime and the ripple effects of these engrained biases upon political,
cultural, social and economical interactions of the two racial classifications.
The
plot focuses upon three leading characters: Adela Quested, Cyril Fielding and
Dr Aziz. When British-born Adela Quested and Mrs Moore arrive in the Indian
town of Chandrapore, they are each ‘desirous of seeing the real India’ (p. 18),
frequently denied to them due to the insular prejudice of the English
ex-patriots residing in India. Upon meeting Mrs Moore in a mosque, Dr Aziz, a
cultivated Indian Muslim, becomes a figure of intrigue for the women; he agrees
to guide the women around the “real India” they seek. However, during an
excursion to the Marabar Caves, a mysterious incident occurs which results in
an ensuing scandal involving Dr Aziz. This scandal rouses the violent passions
and bigotry amongst both the local English and indigenous Indian communities of
the Chandrapore region. This event becomes a subject of huge contention between
two tribes of people residing in India under the British Raj.
Forster’s
novel is quite literally a snapshot of British-Indo relations in the past. Forster
based the text
upon his own travelling experiences across India, and therefore is
his own experience of India under the British Raj. Relations between the
British and Indians are under a lot of strain within this text, there is a huge
amount of prejudice, distrust, condescension and blame. Each race believes
themselves superior. There are few exceptions to that judgmental perspective:
for instance, each of the protagonists appears to openly defy these naturalised
views, at least in the beginning of the novel. However, over the course of a
life-changing event involving violation and accusations, stereotypes and racial
preconceptions are reinforced.
Perhaps
what strikes me most in A Passage to
India is that the reader becomes acclimated to the slow unfolding nature of
the knitted quilt of life in Chandrapore. Then, in a sudden, intellectually
technical and thrilling move, Forster quite literally pulls apart this quilt fragmenting
the reality the reader has come to know. The mastery of this storytelling
technique is to admired. One could liken the experience of reading to that of
skiing – the first half is climbing the slope in the ski lift and viewing the
stunning landscapes around you, but suddenly as you embark down the cliff, you
realise you’re on a black slope and all sense of security is thrown out the
window.
I
think the text is successive in a number of ways; it is stylistically and
mechanically beautiful, the writing style is thrilling and compelling to read;
and yet I believe there are certain elements that prevent a five star rating.
In my opinion, the ending of the novel felt rushed and in a sense
“Disney-ified” – everyone reached a moralistic ending, despite the harsh
realities each had endured in their pasts. It seemed as if Forster wanted all
of the characters to have a happy ending to reinforce his
overarching message,
but this then detracts from the fictional diegesis he has presented. He wanted
to educate his readers about the difficult relationships between racial groups
in India, to establish the major issues to enable greater understanding and
implement change. The argument presented is that redemption and friendship are
possible after the tirades of a colonial agenda, demonstrating that power
imbalances fuelled by racial profiling hinder noble relations. Whilst this is
an inspiringly optimistic message, I think interactions between an oppressed
and oppressing class are not so simplistically intersecting and forgiven. There
is great tension prevalent in these associations, which include immense baggage
that Forster is sweeping under the carpet.
I think for me, this forgiveness was too much to expect from any
oppressed person, there was too much of the “happily ever after” sentiment, but
I do respect Forester’s theory and attempt to break down colonial boundaries.
In
conclusion, I think that this is a text that everyone should read. In light of
the current post-Brexit, Trump-ruling world; this is a text that asks readers
to challenge racial preconceptions and notions of ruling colonial influences
over the native underdog. This is an incredible lesson to provide and that is
why I would recommend all read this and ready themselves for the rollercoaster ride
of emotions occurring at the crux of the text.
★★★★
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