Relationship between the Colonizer and the Colonized - Book Report/Review Example

A passage to India Imperialism always covers the enormous preface of foreign capital countries for the target of achievement and bossy both their effort compels and their markets. Imperialism, the highest form of capitalism, demonstrates the steps in which the consumers of a country cannot deal all the results. The controlling characteristic of imperialism is the repatriation of developed capital. Europe’s extension into regional imperialism had much to do with major economic support from gathering colonial resources through military funds. This paper aims to discuss the relationship between the colonizer and the colonized, which has never been a simple relationship, particularly when it is through the colonial period. E.M. Forster is one of the writers who surveyed the relationship between Indians and Britons. Forster examined the partition in the path of friendly communication between the English and Indians. A Passage to India portrayed a picture of the Indian society under the British rule. This paper illustrates that imperialism prohibits personal relationships. In addition, this article demonstrates how Forster has dealt with the economic and political requisition of India by the British colonizers. The novel also transacts openly with colonialism and more particularly, imperialism. Aside from illustrating that imperialism is a tragedy for the colonized country, I will also establish that imperialism affects the colonizers as much as it influences its colony. Summary A Passage to India, which is considered one of the paramount novels of the twentieth century, was among Forster’s last novels. In fact, A Passage to India has been praised for its format invention and good tragedy. Moreover, the novel displayed a trend of reflection about the relationship to the world and provided a great example of postcolonial studies. Froster is regarded one of the special novelist both in modern English and World literature history. He published six novels and two short story collections. In A Passage to India, there were inevitable sections which tackled the imperialism and colonization. The central concern of Forster was establishing the personal relationship. The theme of the novel came about when a question was asked whether friendship between an Englishmen and an Indian makes sense. However, the story ended in a passive manner. In the novel, Forster talked about a young man called Dr. Aziz, an Indian Muslim and a junior doctor at Civil Hospital at Chandrapore, a central town in India. Aziz can be friendly and leaving in one while, he desires social equality without any racial barriers. The novel witnessed the start of one of the most important relationships when Dr. Aziz met Mrs. Moore in the mosque. Through the novel, the rope between the Indian and the Englishman was constantly intimidated because of inability to understand each other. English colonilizers and Indians were prohibited from mingling with each other. Looking at several scenarios in the story, it can be surmised that the English culture and beliefs are different from that of India. For example, Fielding, the principle at the local college, believed that all human beings are the same. He was open to being friends with Indians. In fact, he was the only character who belonged to both groups. Forster pointed out the separation of culture from culture. The story was set in the fantastic city of Chandropore, India. The third section of the novel took place in Mau. The story revolved around three different places: mosque, caves, and temple, with each place having various sinificance. Most of the events occur in the cave. The last pages of the novel described the pain of the human soul and isolation. Mrs. Moore and Adela came to India, both of them do not understand Indian religion and culture. They wanted to see how India looks like. Mrs. Moore was the mother of Ronny, Stella, Ralph, and friend to Aziz, who explained to her that the Britons should not make friends with the Indians. She got tremendously confused over the realization that British colonizers do not accept the natives in their own country. Mrs. Moorewas was a humble, respectful, kind and open woman. She demonstrated these qualities when she took off her shoes in the mosque. She represented the good people in society. Imperialism in A passage to India: A Passage to India is a criticism to the British rule of Indian. According to Forster, the British Empire is a civilizing force of Indian and regards all Indians as an inferior class, with incompetent leadership. For example, Ronny, the city Magistrate he said; “ The British are out here to justice and keep the peace” Chapter 5 . There is no trial of satire in the passage, which describes Ronny’s routine “ Every day he worked hard in the court trying to decide which of two untrue account was the less untrue, trying to dispense justice fearlessly, to protect the weak against the less weak, the incoherent against the plausible, surrounded by lies and flattery”(Chapter 5). On the other hand, Ronny was driven by his need to support his picture and status in society. He realized the enmity between Muslims and Hindus, therefore, he thought that the existence of British colonizers was very essential to prevent butchery. Even though, Fielding, the friendliest of the English characters, did not argue hat the British have to leave India. British imperialism was indicated in the novel, particularly the economic outcomes. This happened when Fielding pointed to Godbole and Adela that mangoes can be bought in England. “ They ship them in ice-cold rooms, you can make Indian in England apparently, just as you can make England in Indian” (Chapter 7). These lines indicated the economic imposition to the Indians. The British demanded to stay in India for the Indians welfare but actually, they only wanted to raise their wealth through establising a regulation of commerce that is completely helpful and useful to themselves. The Britons put their mark in India and introduced many chnages across the Indian communities. The characters always remarked on these changes that happened to the British colonizers the moment that they settled in India. In the second chapter of the novel, Hamidullah, a Muslim character said to his friends; “ yes, they have no chance here, that is my point. They come out intending to be gentlemen and are told it will not do…. I give any Englishman two years… And I give any Englishwomen six months” (Chapter 2 page 10, 11). These lines showed that imperialism has an effect on the colonizer as well as the colonized. Adela recognized the changes in Ronny, her husband as he appropriate in the British ruling class lifestyle. Ronny, as a British man considered himself superior over the Indians. Ronny Healsop presented the power of the ruling class of the British colonizers. He showed his cruelty and obligation to his part as magistrate in India in a controversy with his mother; ‘we are out here to do justice and keep the peace. Them’s my sentiments. Indian is not drawing room’. ‘ you are sentiments are those of a god’ she said quietly, but it was his manner rather than his sentiments that upset her. Trying to refresh his mood, he said ‘Indian likes god’ ‘And Englishman like posing as gods’ (Chapter 6). “ There’s no point in all this. Here we are, and we’re going to stop, and the country’s got to put with us, gods or no gods…. I am out here to work, mind, to hold this wretched country by force. I’m not a missionary or a Labour Member or a vague sentimental sympathetic literary man. I’m just a servant of the Government….. We’re not pleasant in India, and we don’t intend to be pleasant. We’ve something more important”. (Chapter 5, p.51-52). Ronny was too busy doing more important things than to be pleasant to the Indian people. He regarded himself as a God, to provide justice and to rule the country by force and power. He pushed down any ideas of emotion and passion. Meanwhile, Miss Quested and Mrs. Moore began their journey to India in order to present the marriage of Miss Quested. Both of them hoped to see the real India during their travel – she wanted something more than the stereotypical elephant, instead of civilized foundation imported by the British. She refused to be a part of the cruelty that the Britons show to the natives. In addition, she regard Ronny as unsympathetic that he wanted to rule over. Ronny’s ideas caused her to doubt her decision to marry the man. If she marries Ronny, she will keep the role she must take on and stay in India. She was having a difficult time understanding the culture and practices to whcih she is about to be a part of. “In front, like a shutter fell a vision of her married life. She and Ronny would look into the club like this every evening, then drive home to dress; they would see the Lesleys and the Callendars and the Turtons and the Burtons, and invite them and be invited bt them, while the true India slid by unnoticed” (Chapter 5, p 47). Adela did not want to be a part of the society. She asked an Indian about how to become like other women. During their firstt night in India, Ronny took Mrs. Moore and Miss Quested to the “club”, which was exclusive for British people only. Adela complained that she did not see anything that resembled Indian in the club. Mrs. Callendar said; “The kindest thing one can do to a native is to let them die” (Chapter1, p 27). However Mr.Turton, the collector, suggested that she go to the Bridge Party he organized himself. Suddenly, Mr. Fielding passed in front of them and spoke to her; “Try seeing Indians”. Ms. Turton presented her the India in the following lines; “Natives do not respect one any the more after meeting one. You see. That occurs after so many meetings”. For Adela and Mrs. Moore The Bridge party was a failure. During the Bridge Party, Adela realized that Ronny lacked humanity from his conversation. His manner upset her. “ How did rub it in that he was not in Indian to behave pleasantly, and derived positive satisfaction there from! He reminded her of his public-schooldays. The traces of young- man humanitarianism had sloughed off” (Chapter 5.p51). There was very little bridging between cultures going on at the Turtons’ Bridge party. In fact, the Indians and Britons were grouped on opposite sides of the lawn during the party. “ The arrival of Professor Godbole quieted him somewhat, but it remained his afternoon. The Bragman, polite and enigmatic, did not impede his eloquence, and even applauded it. He took his tea at a little distance from……” (Chapter 7.p,72). In these lines, the author made a planned attempt to build a bridge between Western and Eastern societies by using the main character, Godbole, to present the deep differences in the cultures. His process to life gives us the sense of hope that was illustrated throughout the novel. Mrs. Moore and Adela Quested arrived at the tea party. Mr. Fielding introduced them to Godbole, who was with Aziz that time.They gathered at a pool of a water. Then, Dr. Aziz invited them to visit his house, which was gladly accepted by them. He does not him to see his humble circumstances. After which, he invited him to the Marabar Caves; “ What was he to do? Yes, all that is settled, he cried. I invite you all to see me in the Marabar Caves. I shall be delighted Oh, that is a bout magnificent entertainment compared to my poor sweets. But has not Miss Quested visited our caves already” (Chapter 7,p 74 ). In these lines, she asked Aziz to describe the caves, but he cannot because he has never been there. Then, they asked Godbole to describe the caves, but he was suspiciously vague. Just then, Ronny showed up and behaved rudely. He shouted from the garden; “What’s happened to Fielding? Where’s my mother. Good evening! She replied coolly. I want you and mother at once” (Chapter 7, p 76). These lines demostrated the rudeness of Ronny and miffed that Adela’s all alone with these Indian guys. He felt that he was superior over the Indians, aside from hating them. During a trip to go to the cave, Adela and Mrs. Moore had a chat on the train ride out to the Marabar Caves. Mrs. Moore hated the caves; it was dark and crowded. She also felt something foul touching her. She heard a monotonous echoing that seemed to reduce all other sounds to the same “boum”. The effect of the echo on Mrs. Moore was to make her abandon all attempts at human connection. After hearing the echo, she realized she does not want to communicate with anyone, even with Aziz (Chapter 14, p147). She decided to stay back by the picnic area and let Adela and Aziz go to the upper cave. As Adela climbed after Aziz, she thought of her own marriage. She thought that being successful does not require love. She said in the following line to Aziz; “ If love is everything, few marriages would survive the honeymoon. No, I’m all right, thanks, she said, and, her emotions well under control, resumed the climb, though she felt a bit dashed. Aziz held her hand, the guide adhered to the surface like a Lizard and scampered about as if governed by a personal center of gravity. Are you married, Dr. Aziz? She asked, stopping again and frowning. Yes, indeed, do come and see my wife – for he felt it more artistic to have this wife alive for a moment” (Chapter 15, p 152). In the above lines, she asked Aziz about his own wife. He lied and replied that his wife is still alive, rather than destroying the moment by talking about her death. Then, Adela really put her foot in it and asked him how many wives he has. This question surprised and offended him. Yet, he was still polite to explain to Adela how much she offended him. So, he went into the a cave to escape her. We can notice the role of the imperialism in this situation and how her question shocked him very much. He said; “Damn the English even at their best” (Chapter 15,p. 153). After this situation, all of them came back to Chandrapore. The author displayed the logical inconsistencies with his favorite weapon, irony. For example, Dr. Aziz’s arrest for allegedly molesting Adela Quested, the secondary defense was an anonymous native. He strongly presented how the intolerance resulted from the unfair power play between English and Indians, from the imperialistic relationship itself. However, we cannot ignore the good relationship between Mr. Fielding and Dr. Aziz , which was apparent in many scenes in the novel; “ I came down Particularly on your account- while poor Heaslop got his mother away. I regarded it as the most friendly thing I do. I meant to tell you that there will be an informal meeting at the club this evening to discuss the situation, but I am doubtful whether you will care to come. You visits there are always infrequent”(Chapter XVI p,165). All the British people accused Aziz that he raped Adela, but Fielding suggested that there is terrible mistake. Meanwhile, all Indian people supported Aziz, including powerful men. Fielding took this disapproval of the imperialist nature so far as to support and protect the natives against his own people. He was the only person who helped me, neglecting his own people. He even desecrated the sanctity of the club, choosing it to be his battle and denouncing his own people. He declared; “I am waiting for the verdict of the courts. If he is guilty I resign from my service, and leave India. I resign from the club now” (Chapter XX , p 189). He completely refused his people in the club, defiling their temple of Britishness.He was denounced as he neglected this role of imperial aristocrat for the sake of good people. There was no way for him to forsake his British heritage. He was willing to fight for his cause. He became the moral hero to the Indians, a quality that was essential to gain their trust. When Aziz’s trial went on, the tension and sadness enveloped the city. Fielding was the only British person who stood next to Aziz. Dr. Aziz needed Mrs. Moore to attest to his innocence, but Ronny compelled his mother to leave India. The following lines demonstrated that; “ Adela inclined towards tears in consequence of this unkind remark, and Ronny Picked up the list of steamship sailing with an excellent notion in his head. His mother ought to leave India at once: she was doing no good to herself or to anyone else there” (Chapter XXII.p,206). These above lines revealed the role of imperialism to the lives of Indian people and how Ronny hated them, especially Aziz. Nevertheless, Adela declared that Aziz was innocent and denied that the prisoner followed her. All the British people including Ronny and Mr. Turton got angry leaving Adela alone in the courtroom. Aziz felt proud for himself and all his fellow natives felt happy with his innocence. We could notice that professor Godbole knows everything about Aziz’s trial, and his situation is prejudiced. Conclusion: E. M Forster’s A Passage to India is about the friendship between Aziz and Fielding to make a bridge between the Indian and the British people. However, the colonizer and the colonized cannot be in favor of each other. The novel displayed the many correct and wrong doings of Empire; the way in which the Indian people were treated by the English. A Passage to India is regarded as one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century. Despite its critique of the British Empire, Forster’s novel continued to draw controversy, particularly in the field of post-colonial studies, including social and political issues. Ronny was friendly towards the Indians, but his position prevented him to make any relationship with him. The English were not the only ones messed by imperialism. Many of the Indians in the novel have unreasonable desire to be friends with Englishmen. However, Imperialism was a British foundation for a long time. It made the British people in contact with various cultures and attitudes. “Living the life of imperialism has its stamp. It can’t help but have it” . Forster’s most clear aim was the unfriendly bigotry of the English in India. Hence, such friendship was impossible and that seemed to be clear in the last page of the novel, when Forster himself answered; “ No, not yet, and the sky said, No, not there”. Therefore, A Passage to India is a great example of Indian society under the British rule. Read More