A Passage to India

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Description: 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. "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." 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. "Why, the kindest thing one can do to a native is to let him die," said Mrs. Callendar. "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." 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. 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

Genre: Political fiction; India; Literature - Classics / Criticism; Literature: Classics; Race relations; Classics; Fiction / Classics; Fiction; British;

Average Review: 3.5 stars

Review: Fine Characterization of British India, But Dated and Not Much of a Story : Set in the fictional northern India city of Chandrapore, E.M. Forster's 'Passage to India', widely regarded as an early 20th century classic, tells the tale of the troubled interactions between British India and the country's Indian inhabitants. Forster's message seems to be that the white British and the native Indians should not have tried to interact socially outside of the accepted forms because it always ended badly for all concerned. Rating this book is difficult. On the one hand, the characters are exceptionally well drawn as is life in British India (especially the British side). And the theme is undoubtedly largely correct that when British tried to befriend Indians in this colonial setting it usually went badly. At the same time, I found myself disliking the major characters, and particularly found young Dr. Aziz to be annoyingly flighty and over-wrought as he quickly jumped to conclusions over and over again. The story meanders, to put it kindly, until Part 2 when the 'event' occurs at the also-fictional Marabar Caves and Forster breathes some life into the tale. Yet, while the confusion over what really happened at the caves is the focus of much of the second part of the book and the characters think they know at least what did NOT happen, Forster never does really explore what did in fact happen. And while there is clearly much fallout over the accusations Forster again does not explore how the fallout occurs. An interesting aspect for the modern reader is the predominance of Muslim characters on the Indian side of the tale. Hindus play only a small role. This detail marks the book as predating the Partition of India that accompanied Indian independence and the establishment of India and Pakistan on the basis of religion. The Partition created millions of refugees flowing to their new country based on their religion and fostered tremendous violence and division. Hindus reasserted authority in India after the partition in place of the Muslims. If you have an interest in British colonialism, India, or English Literature or all three, by all means read the book. Don't expect a sparkling story to go along with the fine characterizations and be ready for a dated view.