"In Passage to India" Foster's intention is to present the Western civilization in collision with the Eastern, the imperial with the colonial, the human heart in conflict with the machinery of government, class and race"___Comments
A Passage to India
A Passage to India by E. M. Forster is a novel that presents the complexities of interaction between Western and Eastern civilizations. The novel emphasizes cultural differences, imperialism, colonialism, and conflicts between the human heart and the government machine. In this essay, we will analyze Forster's intentions in the novel and evaluate his portrayal of conflicts in a broader sense.
One of Forster's main intentions in the novel is to show the clash of Western and Eastern civilizations. Forster portrays Western civilization as materialistic, self-centered, and ignorant of Eastern culture. On the other hand, he portrays Eastern civilization as spiritual, traditional, and proud of its cultural heritage. The interaction between the two cultures generates misunderstandings, misinterpretations and conflicts. The English characters in the novel, such as Mrs. Moore, Adela Quested, and Cyril Fielding, fail to understand Indian culture and its people. They consider the Indians inferior, uncivilized and primitive. Forster highlights this conflict by showing the characters' different points of view and how their views influence their actions. For example, Adele's inability to understand Indian culture leads her to accuse Dr. Aziz of attempted rape, and Dr. Aziz's lack of understanding of English culture leads him to believe that all English people are the same.
Another of Forster's intentions in the novel is to represent the imperialism and colonialism of the British Empire. Forster portrays the British as arrogant, despotic and unfair towards the Indians. The British imperialists believe that they are superior to the Indians and have the right to dominate and control them. Forster highlights the negative impact of imperialism on Indian society and culture. The British are shown to be insensitive to Indian customs and traditions and are shown to be responsible for the economic and social problems that Indians face. For example, the construction of the Marabar Caves by the British destroyed the natural beauty of the landscape, and British economic policies led to poverty and starvation among the Indian population.
In addition, Forster intends to emphasize the conflict between the human heart and the government apparatus. Forster portrays the British government as bureaucratic, corrupt and indifferent to the needs and aspirations of the Indian people. British officials care more about maintaining their power and authority than about the well-being of the Indians. Forster emphasizes the conflict between the individual and the state, as well as the struggle of the characters to assert their identity and independence. For example, the trial of Dr. Aziz is a symbol of the conflict between the individual and the state. Dr. Aziz is falsely accused of a crime he did not commit and is pursued by the British authorities. His trial exposes the injustice and corruption of the British legal system, as well as the conflict between the rights of the individual and the power of the state.
Forster also intends to highlight class and racial conflicts in the novel. It is shown that the British are divided into different social classes depending on their wealth, education and social status. It is also shown that Indians are divided into different castes depending on their origin, occupation and religion. Forster depicts the conflict between different social groups and the prejudice and discrimination they face. For example, British officials are shown to be prejudiced against Indians and view them as inferior and uncivilized. The Indian characters are also shown to treat each other with prejudice due to their caste and religion.
A Passage to India
In conclusion, A Trip to India by E. M. Forster is a novel that tells the story of the clash of Western and Eastern civilizations, imperialism and colonialism of the British Empire, the conflict between the human heart and the government machine and
No comments:
Post a Comment