A Passage to India
by E.M. Forster
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Book Summary Information
Author: E.M. ForsterEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Format: Bargain Price
Published: 1965-03-17
ISBN: 0156711427
Number of pages: 368
Publisher: Mariner Books
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780156711425
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of A Passage to India
Book Review: A Passage to India Review--Adrienne L.
Summary: 5 Stars
The book I chose was A Passage to India by E.M. Forster. The book was based off of the author's own experiences in India. Forster is able to tell the tale of an attempted friendship between a an Englishman and an Indian. The Englishman (Fielding) and the Indian (Aziz) are constantly stuck with having problems trusting one another making the friendship a very difficult one to have. The book shows us about the interactions between different cultures and it gives us a greater understanding of human feelings and emotions. Forster is able to tell the reader a lot about India through this book. The novel takes place primarily in Chandrapore. The main character of the novel is Aziz. He is a Muslim doctor and a widow. Aziz meets Mrs. Moore, (a British woman), at at a local Islamic temple. Mrs. Moore is visiting her son, who is the City Magistrate. They find that they have much in common. Aziz brings Mrs. Moore to find her friend Adela. Mrs. Moore and Adela go to a bridge party. For Adela and Mrs. Moore, the party is a failure because only a few of the English guests behave kindly towards the Indians. One of these guests is Fielding, who suggests that Adela meet Aziz. Mrs. Moore scolds her son because he is impolite to the Indians, but Ronny feels that he is not there to be kind because there are more important things to do. Mrs Moore is offended by this. Aziz has tea with Fielding, Adela, Mrs. Moore and Professor Narayan Godbole. During tea they discuss the Marabar Caves. Aziz plans a picnic at the Marabar Caves for Miss Quested and Mrs. Moore. Adela tells Ronny that she will not marry him, but he nevertheless suggests that they take a car trip to see Chandrapore. During the trip, Adela speaks to Ronny, and tells him that she was foolish to say that they should not be married. Both Aziz and Godbole fall sick after the party at Mr. Fielding's home, so Fielding visits Aziz and they discuss the state of politics in India. Aziz shows Fielding a picture of his wife, a significant event considering his Islamic background and an important demonstration of their friendship. Again, we see the friendship developing between Fielding and Aziz, despite the forces that are against them at the time. They are able to develop this friendship even though there are large differences in their cultures. Aziz plans an expedition to the Marabar Caves. During the day when they are to leave, a friend of Aziz's, bribes Adela's servant not to go on the expedition because he is a spy for Ronny. Although Aziz, Adela and Mrs. Moore arrive to the train station on time, Fielding and Godbole miss the train. Adela and Aziz discuss Adela's marriage, and she fears she will become narrow-minded. When they reach the caves, an echo in one of them frightens Mrs. Moore, who decides she must leave immediately. The echo terrifies her. Aziz and Adela continue to explore the caves, and Adela realizes that she does not love Ronny. However, she does not think that this is reason enough to break off her engagement. When the group returns to Chandrapore, Aziz is arrested for assaulting Adela. Fielding speaks about this charge, and says that Aziz is innocent. The Collector feels that this is true because disaster always happens when the English and Indians interact socially. Fielding requests that he see Adela, but he is denied this request. Aziz hires a Hindu as his lawyer who is notoriously anti-British. Godbole leaves Chandrapore to start a high school in Central India. The Anglo-Indians are on Adela's side and call a meeting to discuss the trial. Fielding attends, and makes the mistake of actually referring to her by name. The Collector advises all to behave cautiously. Adela wishes to see Mrs. Moore, who kept away. Ronny tells her that Fielding wrote her a letter to her pleading Aziz's case. Adela admits to Ronny that she has made a mistake and that Aziz is innocent. Mrs. Moore wishes to leave India, and Ronny agrees, for she is doing no one any good by remaining. Lady Mellanby, the wife of the Lieutenant-Governor, secures Mrs. Moore quick passage out of India. Adela admits that she made a mistake about Aziz. The judge releases Aziz. Adela is asked why she made this charge, but she cannot answer. Adela seems to believe that she had a hallucination because she thinks she hallucinated getting a marriage proposal when there was none. Fielding asks Aziz not to sue Adela, for it will show that he is a gentleman, but Aziz claims that he is fully anti-British now. Fielding reminds Aziz what a momentous sacrifice Adela. Adela decides to leave India and not marry Ronny. Fielding gains new respect for Adela. Adela leaves India. Aziz thinks that Fielding and Adela had an affair and the friendship between Aziz and Fielding hits a rough spot. Forster presents us with the setting of the town of Mau. Fielding visits Mau after he gets married. Aziz believes he married Adela. Fielding married Mrs. Moore's daughter. They resolve their dispute, but they realize that because of their different cultures they cannot remain friends and leave each other cordially. There is a question about what happened in the Marabar caves when Adela and Aziz are together. Forster shows that it is not really an issue because it outcomes of what did or didn't happen that are important. The trip to the caves made the emotions that the characters had even stronger. The proceding events following the trip to the cave are direct outcomes of this trip. This book deals with the relations between the English and the native population of India during the colonial period in which Britain ruled India. The idea of friendship between the English and Indians was radical at Forster's time. Forster is able to show just how radical this is by presenting the reader with the reactions of both the Indians and the English to the friendship between Fielding and Aziz. He does not pretend to understand India. He believes that it is a 'muddle', which is a theme here, just as it is in Forster's A Room with A View. With this book, however; Forster is able to bring some aspects of India to life to give us a greater understanding of the differences in culture.
Summary of A Passage to India
Among the greatest novels of the twentieth century and the basis for director David Lean?s Academy Award-winning film, A Passage to India tells of the clash of cultures in British India after the turn of the century. In exquisite prose, Forster reveals the menace that lurks just beneath the surface of ordinary life, as a common misunderstanding erupts into a devastating affair.
What really happened in the Marabar caves? This is the mystery at the heart of E.M. Forster's 1924 novel, A Passage to India, the puzzle that sets in motion events highlighting an even larger question: Can an Englishman and an Indian be friends?
"It is impossible here," an Indian character tells his friend, Dr. Aziz, early in the novel.
"They come out intending to be gentlemen, and are told it will not do.... Why, I remember when Turton came out first. It was in another part of the Province. You fellows will not believe me, but I have driven with Turton in his carriage--Turton! Oh yes, we were once quite intimate. He has shown me his stamp collection.Written while England was still firmly in control of India, Forster's novel follows the fortunes of three English newcomers to India--Miss Adela Quested, Mrs. Moore, and Cyril Fielding--and the Indian, Dr. Aziz, with whom they cross destinies. The idea of true friendship between the races was a radical one in Forster's time, and he makes it abundantly clear that it was not one that either side welcomed. If Aziz's friend, Hamidullah, believed it impossible, the British representatives of the Raj were equally discouraging."He would expect you to steal it now. Turton! But red-nosed boy will be far worse than Turton!
"I do not think so. They all become exactly the same, not worse, not better. I give any Englishman two years, be he Turton or Burton. It is only the difference of a letter. And I give any Englishwoman six months. All are exactly alike."
"Why, the kindest thing one can do to a native is to let him die," said Mrs. Callendar.Despite their countrymen's disapproval, Miss Quested, Mrs. Moore, and Mr. Fielding are all eager to meet Indians, and in Dr. Aziz they find a perfect companion: educated, westernized, and open-minded. Slowly, the friendships ripen, especially between Aziz and Fielding. Having created the possibility of esteem based on trust and mutual affection, Forster then subjects it to the crucible of racial hatred: during a visit to the famed Marabar caves, Miss Quested accuses Dr. Aziz of sexually assaulting her, then later recants during the frenzied trial that follows. Under such circumstances, affection proves to be a very fragile commodity indeed.
"How if he went to heaven?" asked Mrs. Moore, with a gentle but crooked smile.
"He can go where he likes as long as he doesn't come near me. They give me the creeps."
Arguably Forster's greatest novel, A Passage to India limns a troubling portrait of colonialism at its worst, and is remarkable for the complexity of its characters. Here the personal becomes the political and in the breach between Aziz and his English "friends," Forster foreshadows the eventual end of the Raj. --Alix Wilber
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