Forster, E. M.: 1879-1970
A Passage to India, 1924 - Information about the Book
- General Information
- The novel portrays the relationship between the British and the Indians in India and the tensions that arise when a visiting Englishwoman, Adela Quested, accuses a well-respected Indian man, Dr. Aziz, of having attacked her during an outing.
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- Forster’s two trips to India provided the foundation for the novel. During his first visit in 1912-13, he traveled extensively across the country, immersing himself in Indian culture and observing the complexities of British colonial rule. His second visit in 1921-22, as a private secretary to the Maharajah of Dewas, exposed him further to the tensions between the British and Indians, as well as the challenges of cross-cultural relationships.
Also Forster’s close friendship with Syed Ross Masood, an Indian Muslim scholar whom he tutored in England, was a significant influence. Their bond inspired the relationship between Dr. Aziz and Mr. Fielding in the novel. Masood introduced Forster to Indian society and culture, shaping his understanding of the complexities of colonial India.
Forster’s encounters with places like the Barabar Caves (which inspired the fictional Marabar Caves) and his reflections on cultural “muddles” became key symbolic elements in the novel.
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Some of the most notable awards are:James Tait Black Memorial Prize (1924): "A Passage to India" was the recipient of the inaugural James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction in 1924. This prestigious literary award is one of Britain's oldest literary prizes, awarded annually by the University of Edinburgh.
Literary Guild Award: The book was selected by the Literary Guild, a book club in the United States, which further popularized its reach among readers.
Golden Pen Award: In 1935, E.M. Forster was awarded the Golden Pen Award by the English PEN, an association of writers which promotes literature and defends freedom of expression.
Modern Library 100 Best Novels: In 1998, the Modern Library ranked "A Passage to India" 25th on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.
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- David Lean, the director of the movie, told Maurice Jarre, the composer of the movie music: "This isn't a story of India, it's a story of a woman. I want you to write music that evokes awakening sexuality". From Le Cinema Paradiso
- Forster took the title from Walt Whitman's poem "Passage to India", 1870 (explanation of poem). The Suez Canal, creating a passage to India, was completed in 1869. "While "Passage to India" is very much about the anticipatory joy of a global union fulfilling the destiny first sought by Christopher Columbus, it is also about the voyage of the soul or spirit and the resultant discovery that lies beyond India, the cradle of civilization, the motherland of America. In fact it is India, as the ultimate goal of Columbus's voyage, that represents all great human undertaking and, at the same time, the distinct wonder of America, for when Columbus arrived in America, he thought he was in India," from "An Analysis of Asian Influences in 'Passage to India'" by Matthew Whitman Lazenby.
- Forster’s discussion of the possibility of true friendship between British and Indian people – between colonizers and the colonized nation – in "A Passage to India" has much in common with the themes and ideas that Whitman explores in his poem "A Passage to India."
- Dr. Aziz - A young Muslim doctor in Chandrapore who befriends Mrs. Moore and Fielding initially, but later becomes embittered towards the British after being falsely accused of assaulting Adela Quested.
Cyril Fielding - The principal of a government college in Chandrapore. He is open-minded and treats Indians as equals, forming friendships with Aziz and Godbole. He tries to mediate between the British and Indians.
Adela Quested - A young British woman who comes to India intending to marry Ronny Heaslop. She falsely accuses Aziz of assaulting her in the Marabar Caves, but later retracts her accusation.
Mrs. Moore - An elderly British woman, mother of Ronny, Ralph and Stella. She develops a mysterious connection with Aziz and India, but becomes disillusioned after the echo in the Marabar Caves.
Ronny Heaslop - The arrogant British City Magistrate in Chandrapore and Mrs. Moore's son. He is prejudiced against Indians and believes in British imperial rule.
Professor Narayan Godbole - A Hindu professor who represents the spiritual side of India. He remains detached from the dramatic events around him.
Other notable characters include Mahmoud Ali, Aziz's defiant lawyer friend; Miss Derek, an unconventional Englishwoman; and the Nawab Bahadur, a respected Indian leader.
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- Prejudice and Racism
The novel ia about the racial prejudices and tensions between the British colonizers and the Indian populace from 1858 until the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947. It highlights the deep-rooted biases and lack of understanding between the two communities.Friendship Across Cultures
A central theme is the possibility and challenges of genuine friendship between the English and Indians in a colonial setting. The novel examines whether true connection can exist across the cultural divide through the relationship between Aziz and Fielding.Colonialism and Imperialism
Forster critiques the damaging effects of British colonial rule in India and the power dynamics it creates. The novel portrays the cultural clashes, misunderstandings, and oppression resulting from imperialism.Mysticism and Spirituality
The Marabar Caves symbolize the mysterious and spiritual aspects of India that remain elusive to the rational Western mindset. The novel explores the contrasting worldviews of the East and West.Gender and Feminism
Some scholars argue the novel comments on the role of British women in the colonial context and the challenges they faced in asserting their independence within the patriarchal imperial system.In essence, "A Passage to India" is a nuanced exploration of the complexities, conflicts, and human relationships shaped by the colonial experience in India.
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- "A Passage to India" is praised for its rich characterization, evocative depiction of the Indian landscape, and its exploration of profound philosophical and moral questions. It has been noted for its nuanced portrayal of both Indian and British characters, avoiding simplistic stereotypes in favor of a more complex and empathetic understanding of the tensions between the two cultures.
The novel's ambiguous ending, where justice is denied and misunderstandings persist, has sparked considerable discussion and interpretation among readers and critics alike.
Overall, "A Passage to India" remains an important work in English literature for its exploration of colonialism, identity, and the human condition.
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E. M. Forster on his "A Passage to India." NBC Radio broadcast, 1949
- Articles
- The Geographic Images in "A Passage to India": T"he narrative space of the novel is mainly composed of three geographic spaces, that is, the mosque, the Marabar caves, and the temple. These geographic spaces not only provide places for the development of the plots, but also deepen the theme of the novel as geographic images." Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China; September 2020
- The Political-Cultural Confrontation: "Forster says the "the political side of it was the asptect I wanted to express". Aneed Thanwan Rustan
- The Colonialists versus the Locals: "The colonialists are definitely the stronger race and have authority over the locals."
- Podcast
A discussion of "A Passage to India" with Neel Mukherjee, Elizabeth Lowry and Dr Chris Mourant. 2024 - Podcast
Forster seems to be asking if people of different cultural, religious, and racial backgrounds can co-exist, particularly in situations of high tension and biases. 2024 - Podcast
Forster asks in this novel whether there can truly be cross-cultural friendship. Can we reach across cultural, religious, national, and gender divides to meet as human beings? Forster seems to answer that question through the novel’s ending. 2017
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