Arranging the impressions after reading Forster's novel, Passage to India, that emerge insinctively from the writer's thoughts woven into the characters, events and in the virtuosic and meaningful description of the surrounding area, some thoughts can be clearly formulated, but I must realise that language is too poor to give the exact equivalent of these emotions. There is always a gap between a word and thought, between intention and act inside a person and between two characters as well as there is between a human being and the natural world. The gap can get narrower or wider developing friendship or separation in the relationships.
The aim of my interpretation is to explore how the gaps and the arising echoes form and change the relationships between the characters, and what inherent features and interactions draw them closer or make them alienated and even hostile. I chose four characters from the novel: Aziz, Mrs Moor, Miss Quested and Mr Fielding.
From the mean streets and depressing, suffocating area, as the Indian scenery is described in the first chapter, Aziz, the Indian doctor, is brought into life. He is a member of a subordinated race. On the one hand he is against the British, whose ignorant, disdainful and humiliating behaviour caused him and his Indian fellows so many disappointments. On the other hand he is longing for the benevolance and appreciation of the other race, and wants to cross a bridge above the rif.
Mrs Moor is the first person who arouses his belief that there may be that kind of bridge. Their encounter is arranged in the mosque, where both of them are looking for peace and relief, where people can read 'the ninety-nine names of God on the friezes, and pray for their wishes to become true. Mrs Moor regards Aziz as a human while listening to his wrongs. This is the first step that makes the gap narrower between an English and an Indian. The hopes burst into flames in Aziz:
"She had proved her sympathy by criticizing her fellow countrywoman to him, but even earlier he had known. The flame that not even beauty can nourish was springing up, and though his words were querulous his heart began to glow secretly. Presently it burst into speech. 'You understand me, you know what I feel. Oh, if others resembled you!'(45)
Mr Fielding is the principal of the Government College, and he is the only English person who is popular among Indians. He is represented characteristically at the bridge party, which was organized by the Collector in a slight, vain attemption to smoothen away the racial problems, "to bridge the gulf between East an West". Fielding knows not too much about Indians, but deriving from his own moral conviction, he despises the 'Anglo-Indian attitude, feels unfair their treatment to Indians. As Fielding's views are in accordance with the views of the 'newcomers', Mrs Moor and Adela, who want to meet and know more about the inhabitants, their encounter is inevitable. Adela expresses her view, as she is talking to Fielding:
"I think my countrymen out here must be mad. Fancy inviting guests and not to treat them properly!" (65)As Mrs Moor, Adela and Fielding share their views, which are opposite of 'the Turtons' or 'Callendars' as to humane behaviour, they cannot have the title 'pukka', which is only deserved by those English who feel superior to Indians. Mrs Callendar's words show what belief conducts 'the pukkas' behaviour: "... the kindest thing one can do to a native is to let him die." (48)
Thinking over her future Adela, who is 'much too individual' as Mrs Moor describes her, does not wish to be alone, excluded from both English and Indian side. Adela's thoughts are formed into an idea: " ... she knew that she had come up against something that was both insidious and though, and against which she needed allies. She must gather around her at Chandrapore a few people who felt as she did,..."
The relationship between Fielding, Adela, Mrs Moor and Aziz starts to develop into friendship when Fielding invites the ladies and Aziz to his house. Before their encounter Forster puts his belief into words embodied in Fielding's character.
"The world, he believed, is a globe of men who are trying to _ reach one another and can best do so by the help of goodwill plus culture and intelligence ... . He had no racial feeling – not because he was superior to his brother civilians, but because he had matured in a different atmosphere, where the herd-instinct does not flourish." (80)
Fielding with his individual belief and pleasant manner towards the subordinated nation is not accepted by his countrymen, especially women and is not visited or invited by them either. But he does not mind being excluded and would rather 'pay the price' (81) than giving up his conviction set up as a member of a superordinate race.
Fielding's characterization is settled in just before Aziz arrives at Fielding's house. Unlike Aziz, the reader is not surprised at Fielding's amiable welcome "shouted from the bedroom, 'Please make yourself at home'." (81) Their conversation flows as if it were either between two Englishmen or between two Indian fellows. Both the scene, the room where is "nothing to intimidate poor Indians" (81), and Fielding's lovely voice encourage Aziz to feel equal. The following movements, the game in which Fielding tries to guess what Aziz looks like, and that Aziz helps out Fielding with his own collar-stud, even puts it in, are gradually filling in the gap and deepening their intimacy. It does not reach the peak point, however, as hearing about the ladies' arrival Aziz feels being disturbed, because he can not "be alone with his new friend". (84) It causes a sudden shift in Aziz's emotions and ends up in a misunderstanding followed by Aziz's question about Adela. "Is she a Post-Impressionist?" (84) Is it accidental to come up with just this trend of art? It must be not. As there is nothing just a coincidence in the novel. Forster builds up the structure, the scenery, characterizes the figures with the greatest consciousness. A Post-Impressionist artist makes the spectator move far from the painting to observe the contourless paint blobs as a whole, and search for the internal meaning. But how differently can a painting be interpreted! Aziz misinterprets Fielding's sentences, "Come along to tea. This world is getting too much for me altogether". (84) Aziz feels being hurt and his sulkiness makes him say the words almost unintentionally "I do not consider Mrs Moor my friend". (84)
Forster makes perceptible to what a great extent inner features are responsible for personal interactions.
"... he [Aziz] was sensitive rather than responsive. In every remark he found meaning, but not always the true meaning, and his life, though vivid, was largely a dream. Fielding [...] had not meant that Indians are obscure, but that Post-Impressionism is» a gulf devided his remark from Mrs Turton's 'Why, they speak English,' but to Aziz the two sounded alike." (84)
A friendly discourse with the benevolant ladies smoothens away the waves of Aziz's grumbling soul. Adela, Mrs Moor and Fielding’s kindness, their humane attitude fill Aziz with enthusiasm. Penetrated with goodwill and love, his emotions produce imaginary of fraternity and justice. Justice for everyone: guilty or innocent, English or Indian; peace, love and joy for every human. His emotions were born from the desire for ceasing the animosity between races but they alienate him from rationality. This is the point where Forster makes the reader feel the sinister sign of the following events. "Wings bore him up, and flagging would deposit him." (89)
On the other hand Forster suggests in the course of the conversation what an important role the unintentionally pronounced words have in personal relationships and later makes it clear what consequences these words carry. (Adela spontaneuosly reacts to Aziz's question: 'Why not settle in India?' 'I'm afraid I can't do that.' "She made the remark without thinking what it meant." (90) Aziz invites the ladies and Fielding to his house, but later he thinks of his 'bungallow with horror', and though has not even been to the Caves himself, he cannot come up with better idea than "I invite you all to see me in the Marabar Caves'. (91)
Besides exposing the features of his characters, Foster gradually builds up the mistery round the Marabar Caves. There is no person who can describe them, not even Professor Godbole, who has already been to the caves but cannot say anything that may be worth seeing there. He cannot, because there is nothing to be said about them. There are no ornaments, sculptures or stalactites, the caves exist as they are. Professor Godbole conceals the only thing which is bound up with the caves, and cannot be explained or defined by a human mind: 'Ancient Night', the genesis of mankind. The reader must realize that Forster's intention is much more than disclosing racial opposites and the efforts to cease the barriers between the Indian creeds or between the Indian and English races. There is something more above racial problems, personal relationships, which is far independent from any human efforts.
At Fielding's house an allience is woven, involving Mrs Moor, Adela and Fielding. The gaps become narrower. Forster unite them not only for the purpose of bringing the races together, but they set off to approach a mistery. But all the same the writer predicts right in advance the failure of any kind of effort which is to reach the inconceivable. This thought occurs when Aziz remembers his wife in chapter 6."...[Aziz] had thought she [his wife] could live in his mind, not realizing that the very fact that we have loved the dead increases their unreality, and that the more passionately we invoke them the further they recede." (:75)
The allience is woven, but not strong. Adela first breaks off the engagement with Ronny Heaslop, as she cannot accept his behavior to Indians. But after the car accident the longing for love arouses, she changes her mind, and wants to be engaged. Adela’s hesitating, uncertain acts weaken the allience.
When Fielding visits Aziz at his home, encircled by his Indian friends, it becomes clear that no other Indian can join this union. "The Indians were bewildered" (124) hearing Fielding’s honest words about why he is in India, and that he cannot explain why the English are there. Aziz and Fielding get closer to each other, but Forster, though deepens their friendship, yet does not let it develop uncloudedly. He breaks off the scene in chapter ten, as the Indian friends are leaving Aziz's house. The sinister signs resound now in a higher voice. "The heat had leapt forward in the last hour, the street was deserted as if a catastrophe had cleaned off humanity during the inconclusive talk." (126) Forster discloses to what a great extent the natural world embraces and determines the humankind. "It matters so little to the majority of living beings what the minority, that calls himself human, desires or decides." (126) The catastrophe is inevitable for the human who lives under the "overarching sky", whose "Strength comes from the sun" (32). The sinister voice becomes louder as pushing off the ground, brings the inaccessible sun closer, and reveals its power, which determines and subordinates everything in the earth." April, herald of horrors, is at hand. The sun was returning to his kingdom with power but without beauty – that was the sinister feature." (127) Fielding and Aziz do not care of sinister signs, or the heat which penetrates the Indian earth. Aziz, overcoming his shame for his deplorable shanty, calls back Fielding, and shows his only and deepest secret, his wife's picture, providing proof of his friendship. He pours his heart out to Fielding. "... No one can even realize how much kindness we Indians need, we do not even realize it ourselves." (128) This is the peak point of their intimacy, but as soon as becomes deeper, it starts to decline as well. Fielding cannot show anything from his life in return, and thinks there is nothing that Aziz would be interested in. He realizes that all he can give is kindness, which probably can not be effective cure for Indians. " I shall not really be intimate with this fellow, ..." (129)Their intimacy can not be deeper, but their friendship remains. "... their compact had been subscribed by the photograph, they _ trusted one another, affection had triumphed for once in a way." _ (133)
Forster makes perceptible the achronism and the eternal laws of nature by leading the reader back into prehistoric times when " India we call immemorial came into being". (137) The Marabar Caves keep the secret of life. But they have nothing to be seen only the walls, which are smooth like mirror, and where echoes arise. Caves where life may be born are the gaps, which through the echoes separate the individuals from one another and the humankind from the natural world.
The echo frightens Mrs Moor," For an instant she went mad” and causes an irreversable change in the old lady's soul. "The crush and the smells she could forget, but the echo began in some indescribable way to undermine her hold of life. (158)She gives up joining to both Indians and English, gives up explaining the echoes to Adela, even giving the evidence for Aziz’s innocence. She becomes estranged from Adela, his son, and from India, from everything and fades away. But she remains alive in Aziz's mind as he is the last person who is informed about her death.
As Professor Godbole and Fielding miss the train, Aziz is alone to be the host and guide of the English ladies. His proud and dignity dazzle his rational part of his mind to realize the that something goes wrong. Fielding, joining the campany later suspects the catastrophe, but it gets only clear when they return back to Chandrapore. Aziz's world is shattered. The rift between the races becomes tremendous. Every human effort is absorbed by the universe, and proves vain as well as the echo reflecting from the walls, blends the voices into a 'boum'. "If one had spoken with the tongues of angles and pleaded for all the unhappinness and misunderstanding in the world, past, present, and to come, for all the misery men must undergo whatever their opinion and position, and however much they dodge or bluff – it would amount to the same, ..." (161) Though Adela withdraws the accusation, the opposites between Indians and English become irreconcilable, and she gets excluded from both side. So does Fielding, who Fielding stands for Aziz, and claims even in the clue that he believes in his innocence. Aziz and Fielding's friendship gradually breaks up, as Fielding, though loves Aziz as a brother, always stands on the weak side, and gives a shelter to Adela. Fielding also convince Aziz to remitting the consolation price, and Aziz becomes estrange from Fielding. "Aziz had no sence of evidence. The sequence of his emotions decided his beliefs, and led to the tragic coolness between himself and his English friend." (268) Aziz feels being hurt again, as at the beginning of their friendship. He believes the rumour about Fielding and Adela, "whom he still regarded as his enemy» also why had he not been told? What is friendship without confidence?" (268) Misunderstandings, or gaps reoccur again in which words, intentions reaching the other person, have other meaning. As Fielding says in his more rational mind: "That is nothing, of course, we all make mistakes. In a friendship such as ours a few slips are of no consequence." (275) But Fielding perceives the their relationship in a different way. He "was conscious of something hostile, and because he really was fond of Aziz his optimism failed him." (276)
The alienation increases when Aziz misunderstands the news about Fielding's marriage. By this point he is full of his own traditions, and can not see through his prejudice, which is rooted in his disgraded race.
Retiring into his work in a remote state, "Some hundreds of miles westward of the Marabar Hills" (281), he does not wish to hear about the English not even Fielding. "And, though at the back of his mind he felt that Fielding had made sacrifices for him, it was now all confused with his genuine hatred of the English." (289) Misunderstandings become clear by the end of the novel, but the traces they draw can not be swept out for good. When Aziz learns the truth that Fielding's wife is not Miss Quested, but Mrs Moor’s daughter, it is far too late to bring the friendship as close as it was before. Aziz is reconciled with Fielding and writes an apologizing letter to Adela, saying thanks for her courage.
Their friendship can not cross the barriers, which are built up by the prejudice of both races and confirmed by the laws of nature. Every human is born with his own different genes, features, has different experience in his land and is sentenced to carry gaps, which can be approached, but never ceased. When someone yet tries to grasp and penetrate the empty space, enigmatical forces impede his effort, and crying "in their hundred voices, 'No, not yet', [..] 'No, not there'."
Showing posts with label Passage to India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Passage to India. Show all posts
Thursday, May 10, 2007
R 135 F
In my essay I attempt to reveal how the relationship between the two main characters, Dr Aziz and Fielding, changes during the novel Passage to India written by E.M. Forster. Here I would like to show how their relationship and their attitude towards each other and towards the other characters undergoes the change, what events motivate the gradual shift in their behaviour.
Their characters are very important in the novel, as their figures represent the connection between the two cultures, the meeting of the Indian and English culture. In the novel we can see what effects and consequences may derive from this unity that is manifested in the relationship of Aziz and Fielding. As the novel develops, different changes can be noticed in their characters and feelings that is due to the new experiences they get in India. In the followings let us see how the change is taking part in their characters, how the gradual transformation develops during the stages of the novel.
In the relationship between Aziz and Fielding we can discover autobiographical inspirations. Forster became the tutor of an Indian young man, who arose Forster's interest in the Indian culture which had been almost unknown for him before. Forster's emotions were really deep and warm towards him, as he said, he made the experience real and exciting for him. According to his remark, he could not have written this novel without him. To express his gratitude and love, Forster dedicated the novel to Masood, his Indian friend, and to their 17 years of friendship. As the main theme, Forster's belief in friendship is reflected in the relationship of Aziz and Fielding in the novel.
Aziz is an Indian doctor, who lives among the natives according to their culture. His first contact with the English that has a significant effect on him is the scene in the Mosque, where he meets Mrs Moore, who really impresses him. Aziz's harsh behaviour that is due to his surprise changes immediately and he becomes kind and gentle leaving good impression on Mrs Moore. Their mutual sympathy remains alive through the novel, even after the trial. However, Mrs Moore do nothing particular against Aziz's charge, she even travels away from India. She does not give voice to her opinion in public, she just believes it being sure about his innocence.
The characters' attitude towards Aziz is different. The general opinion that is held in the English community about natives relates to his personality as well. The English unwillingly meet the Indians, only if it is really necessary. There are many references about this behaviour, for instance when we can hear the conversation of Mrs Lensey, Mrs Callendar, Ronny and the newcomer ladies. Here the most typical opinions are reflected in their comments when they reflect on Adela's wish to see real Indians. In the followings I have collected some remarks which express their views:
'Wanting to see Indians! How new that sounds!....Natives don't respect one any the more after meeting one, you see.'
'Why, the kindest thing one can do to a native is to let him die,.... He can go where he likes as long as he doesn't come near me.'(p.48).
Ronny's attitude towards the natives and also towards Aziz is similar to the others', let us think of the scene where Mrs Moore speaks about her experiences with Aziz in the Mosque. The first suggestion by Ronny is that Aziz must have been impudent when he started the conversation with his mother. Ronny refuses the idea of having picnic, and he can not understand Adela's inquiry about India either. He lacks of empathy that is reflected in his character. In his figure we can find a very strong antiphaty and resistance against the natives and their culture.
Being an Indian, Aziz is not accepted by the English community that is manifested in the fact that he is not allowed in the Club. He does not complain about this situation, he seems to accept it. Inspite of his exclusion he has positive rather than negative attitude towards the English, especially if we think of Mrs Moore, who is a special person in his eyes. His feelings include admiration, as he says at the beginning of the novel, 'The English take and do nothing. I admire them.' (p.34). His admiration appears together with respect.
The strongest friendship Aziz builds up is his relation to Fielding. Even for the first time they meet personally, Aziz behaves in a rather informal manner: he looks around in Fielding's room making comments about it, he speaks freely and easy. He behaves as if they had known each other for a long time.
The immediate sympathy is not accidental. Aziz and Fielding have many things in common. They both have been living among natives for a long time with having the chance to experience the differences between the two cultures. For Aziz the English experience is the new, while for Fielding, who comes from England, the Indian culture meant the fresh experience.
Aziz and Fielding get close to each other and become very good friends. Aziz's friendship is proved when he shows Fielding the photograph of his wife. With this act he ensures his trust and confidence in Fielding. As Aziz sais, 'I believe in the purdach, but I should have told her you were my brother, and she would have seen you....All men are my brothers, and as soon as one behaves as such he may see my wife.' (p.128). This event makes their friendship deeper, and they become more open and sincere towards each other. Even intimate detailes of their lives are discussed, for instance when they speak about getting married.
Aziz is attached to Fielding, as he is the only person he knows well from the English community. His figure represents the connecting link between Aziz and the English. Aziz feels him to be in safe only when Fielding is also present. This can be seen when the tea party is organised, or when the company is ready to go to the picnic and Fielding misses the train. Aziz feels rather disappointed about this accident, because he has counted on the presense of Fielding. As Aziz sais, 'Jump on, I must have you. .....Mrs Moore, Miss Quested, our expedition is a ruin.' (p.144). We can perceive this remark as a reference to the later events, as well, as if he foretold the fatal consequences of their trip.
Fielding arrived to India in his early middle–age, but still the country made significant impression on him. He is the one in the English company who feels sincere sympathy towards the Indian natives. 'He had no objection to adding Indians.... He had no ratial feeling.... He had found it convenient and pleasant to associate with Indians and he must pay the price.'(p.79–81). This is the feature about his character why Aziz feels sympathy towards him, and that is what the members of the community cannot understand. He is accepted by them, of course, but because he is English.
Fielding's thoughts and feelings differ from the others' to a great extent. As for his creed, 'The world, he believed, is a globe of men who are trying to reach one another and can best do so by the help of goodwill plus culture and intelligence.' (p.80). This statement expresses his belief in humanity and in the possibility of reaching equal relationships and understanding. This is the idea that governs his behaviour. The feature of humanity raises him out from the group of the other characters, and this is his value which is recognised by Aziz as well.
Similarly to Fielding, Aziz also shares this characteristic feature. He is a goodwilled person, who is eager to help people – let them be his patients or the newcomer English woman. Aziz offers his service and help to Mrs Moore and Adela immediately when he meets them for the first time. This act proves his absolute benevolence.
Except for Fielding and the newcomers, the other members of the English community are separated from the natives, they live in their closed world keeping away from the contact with them. Their only attempt to meet Indians by the request of Mrs Moore and Miss Quested – the 'Bridge Party' – fails, which is due to its artificial nature. Neither Mrs Moore, nor Adela is impressed. They are looking for natural and spontanious relationship with the Indian culture, which seems to be a valid but still a bit naive idea. They are seeking for new experiences and impressions, which they hope to find during their trip to the Marabar Caves.
The most significant point in the novel that initiates the change in the two main male characters is the scene in the caves. Mrs Moore and Adela have mystical experience in the caves, where something unknown happens to them. As they experience the unknown in the caves they experience this within themselves. I think, the caves here may symbolize the inner self of the characters, they get to recognize certain things as they discover themselves through the echoes that are present. After this recognition Adela seems to grow up with getting rid of her former naivity and uncertainity about herself.
The ladies' experience has an affect on the behaviour of the other characters as well. The antiphaty towards the natives culminates and manifests in the judgement of one single character, Dr Aziz. The charge seems to justify their presupposition and prejudice about Aziz being a native. The English charge Aziz unanimously exept for Fielding. He is the one who believes in Aziz's innocence, and who insists on maintaining his opinion during the case. Being close friends, Fielding can not think of Aziz to be guilty. As he says, 'The news gave me a very great shock, so I must ask you to forgive me. I cannot believe that Dr Aziz is guilty....The man's manner is perfectly natural; besides, I know him to be incapable of infamy.' (p.173).
Human prejudice works very hard in the English, especially if we think of Mr McBrycle's character, who represents the official power. His theory reflects the sense of superiority as a characteristic feature of the English colonists, which appears in the opinion of the other characters as well, let us think of the Turtons or Ronny for example. As Mr McBrycle says, 'All unfortunate natives are criminals at heart, for the simple reason that they live south of latitude 30. They are not to blame, they have not a dog's chance – we should be like them if we settled here.' (p.176). This approach highly contradicts Fielding's humanism, and it makes him cling to his opinion more strongly. In this respect the conversation between Mr McBrycle and Fielding has a crucial significance. Fielding wants to ask Adela personnaly about the incident, as someone, who is on the natives' side. As he says, 'But I wanted to ask her. I want someone who believes in him to ask her....She is among people who disbelieve in Indians.' (p.179).
Because of his feelings he is not understood by the English, their attitude towards the natives is conveyed to him as well. Their conflict culminates when he cuts the contact with the Club members. On one hand, he does not want to belong to their world any more, on the other hand his believes are not accepted either. That way no connection can be held. 'He was glad that he had broken with the Club, for he would have picked up scraps of gossip there, and reported them down in the city, and he was glad to be denied this opportunity.' (p.198). He does not mind to quit the ideas he does not share.
Fielding's character changes after the incident, especially as far as his feelings and opinion about Miss Quested is concerned. He gets in contact with her after the trial, and starts to understand her behaviour and character. Fielding appreciates her strength and bravery to withdraw her charge when she recognizes her mistake inspite of the strong pressure of her environment. To be merciful is what Fielding suggests to Aziz, to forgive her.
For Aziz the case causes a significant change in his life, especially as far as his attitude towards Adela and Fielding is concerned. As Fielding gets closer to Adela, he starts to get away from his friend. Aziz becomes offended and disappointed after the trial, even the provement of his innocence can not modify his feelings. He did everything to delight the ladies, to show them the real India, even if it costs too much for him. The prize of his intention is the spiritual harm he got that is impossible to forget. In his state of offence he is about to cut all the relations which contact him to the English community. He can not even stay in the British–Indian territory. The only solution for him is to escape from the slightest connection to the English world. As he says, 'You think that by letting Miss Quested off easily I shall make a better reputation for myself and Indians generally. No, no. It will be put down to weakness and the attempt to gain promotion officially. I have decided to have nothing more to do with British India, as a matter of fact. I shall seek service in some Moslem state,..., where Englishmen cannot insult me any more.' (p.251).
The changes in Aziz's feelings do not avoid his relation to Fielding. In their conversation (XXVII.ch.) the increasing tention between them can be discovered, where they speak about Aziz's strange behaviour and about their friendship. At the end of the conversation we can see how Aziz looses his belief in Fielding, which is due to the harm he has got from the others. Aziz can not believe that Mrs Moore is dead, the only person who was important for him.
Aziz feels that their friendship is spoiled, and a 'tragic coolness between him and his English friend' takes the place of their former warm and sincere friendship. They both feel they have to part which will put an end to their friendship.
In the last part of the novel –Temple– their parting comes to be real. Fielding decides to go to England, which means he has to cut his Indian relations. As he says at the beginning of the novel, 'He had discovered that it is possible to keep in with Indians and Englishman, but that he who would also keep in with Englishwoman must drop the Indians, The two wouldn't combine.' (p.80). He has made his choice, but still he travells away with ambivalent feelings, because he knows that with his departure their relationship is broken off. Aziz refuses to answer his letters that indicates his final decision about cutting all the links that connected him to the 'other' world.
Fielding's last visit in India is a crucial part in the novel relating to the development of their relationship. Here Fielding is the one, who initiates the meeting, and who tries to make the misunderstanding clear. Their conversation brings them close again, but they both know their parting is necessary. They are 'friends again, yet aware they would meet no more.' (p.310). They go to their 'last ride', where – once more– they can be together.
Aziz tries to wipe out the harms caused by the incident by forgiving his 'enemy', Adela , and Fielding as well. They would be ready for a new start of their friendship, but the external circumstances do not allow them to complete their intention. The differences that occur make a gap between them, which is too wide to across. " 'Why can't we be friends now? ...It's what I want. It's what you want. ‘But the horses didn't want it– they swerved apart; the earth didn't want it, sending up rocks through which riders must pass single–file...they didn't want it, they said in their hundred voices, ‘No, not yet, ‘and the sky said, 'No, not there.' " (p.316).
Political references appear in the novel constantly, where the British and Indian conflicts are emphasised. Inspite of the explicit presense of political standpoints, it is not the main purpose of the novel to give political propaganda. As Forster said, it is 'about something wider than politics'. The real conflicts in the novel are present on the level of personal relationships, which is manifested in the friendship of Aziz and Fielding. The gaps and rocks that rise between them indicates the cultural differences that may appear, but it also symbolises the common differences that can exist between two people when they get in contact with each other. The way the writer presents the fundamental personal relations makes the novel special: the personal differences are emphasised by the image of cultural and ratial oppositions.
Their characters are very important in the novel, as their figures represent the connection between the two cultures, the meeting of the Indian and English culture. In the novel we can see what effects and consequences may derive from this unity that is manifested in the relationship of Aziz and Fielding. As the novel develops, different changes can be noticed in their characters and feelings that is due to the new experiences they get in India. In the followings let us see how the change is taking part in their characters, how the gradual transformation develops during the stages of the novel.
In the relationship between Aziz and Fielding we can discover autobiographical inspirations. Forster became the tutor of an Indian young man, who arose Forster's interest in the Indian culture which had been almost unknown for him before. Forster's emotions were really deep and warm towards him, as he said, he made the experience real and exciting for him. According to his remark, he could not have written this novel without him. To express his gratitude and love, Forster dedicated the novel to Masood, his Indian friend, and to their 17 years of friendship. As the main theme, Forster's belief in friendship is reflected in the relationship of Aziz and Fielding in the novel.
Aziz is an Indian doctor, who lives among the natives according to their culture. His first contact with the English that has a significant effect on him is the scene in the Mosque, where he meets Mrs Moore, who really impresses him. Aziz's harsh behaviour that is due to his surprise changes immediately and he becomes kind and gentle leaving good impression on Mrs Moore. Their mutual sympathy remains alive through the novel, even after the trial. However, Mrs Moore do nothing particular against Aziz's charge, she even travels away from India. She does not give voice to her opinion in public, she just believes it being sure about his innocence.
The characters' attitude towards Aziz is different. The general opinion that is held in the English community about natives relates to his personality as well. The English unwillingly meet the Indians, only if it is really necessary. There are many references about this behaviour, for instance when we can hear the conversation of Mrs Lensey, Mrs Callendar, Ronny and the newcomer ladies. Here the most typical opinions are reflected in their comments when they reflect on Adela's wish to see real Indians. In the followings I have collected some remarks which express their views:
'Wanting to see Indians! How new that sounds!....Natives don't respect one any the more after meeting one, you see.'
'Why, the kindest thing one can do to a native is to let him die,.... He can go where he likes as long as he doesn't come near me.'(p.48).
Ronny's attitude towards the natives and also towards Aziz is similar to the others', let us think of the scene where Mrs Moore speaks about her experiences with Aziz in the Mosque. The first suggestion by Ronny is that Aziz must have been impudent when he started the conversation with his mother. Ronny refuses the idea of having picnic, and he can not understand Adela's inquiry about India either. He lacks of empathy that is reflected in his character. In his figure we can find a very strong antiphaty and resistance against the natives and their culture.
Being an Indian, Aziz is not accepted by the English community that is manifested in the fact that he is not allowed in the Club. He does not complain about this situation, he seems to accept it. Inspite of his exclusion he has positive rather than negative attitude towards the English, especially if we think of Mrs Moore, who is a special person in his eyes. His feelings include admiration, as he says at the beginning of the novel, 'The English take and do nothing. I admire them.' (p.34). His admiration appears together with respect.
The strongest friendship Aziz builds up is his relation to Fielding. Even for the first time they meet personally, Aziz behaves in a rather informal manner: he looks around in Fielding's room making comments about it, he speaks freely and easy. He behaves as if they had known each other for a long time.
The immediate sympathy is not accidental. Aziz and Fielding have many things in common. They both have been living among natives for a long time with having the chance to experience the differences between the two cultures. For Aziz the English experience is the new, while for Fielding, who comes from England, the Indian culture meant the fresh experience.
Aziz and Fielding get close to each other and become very good friends. Aziz's friendship is proved when he shows Fielding the photograph of his wife. With this act he ensures his trust and confidence in Fielding. As Aziz sais, 'I believe in the purdach, but I should have told her you were my brother, and she would have seen you....All men are my brothers, and as soon as one behaves as such he may see my wife.' (p.128). This event makes their friendship deeper, and they become more open and sincere towards each other. Even intimate detailes of their lives are discussed, for instance when they speak about getting married.
Aziz is attached to Fielding, as he is the only person he knows well from the English community. His figure represents the connecting link between Aziz and the English. Aziz feels him to be in safe only when Fielding is also present. This can be seen when the tea party is organised, or when the company is ready to go to the picnic and Fielding misses the train. Aziz feels rather disappointed about this accident, because he has counted on the presense of Fielding. As Aziz sais, 'Jump on, I must have you. .....Mrs Moore, Miss Quested, our expedition is a ruin.' (p.144). We can perceive this remark as a reference to the later events, as well, as if he foretold the fatal consequences of their trip.
Fielding arrived to India in his early middle–age, but still the country made significant impression on him. He is the one in the English company who feels sincere sympathy towards the Indian natives. 'He had no objection to adding Indians.... He had no ratial feeling.... He had found it convenient and pleasant to associate with Indians and he must pay the price.'(p.79–81). This is the feature about his character why Aziz feels sympathy towards him, and that is what the members of the community cannot understand. He is accepted by them, of course, but because he is English.
Fielding's thoughts and feelings differ from the others' to a great extent. As for his creed, 'The world, he believed, is a globe of men who are trying to reach one another and can best do so by the help of goodwill plus culture and intelligence.' (p.80). This statement expresses his belief in humanity and in the possibility of reaching equal relationships and understanding. This is the idea that governs his behaviour. The feature of humanity raises him out from the group of the other characters, and this is his value which is recognised by Aziz as well.
Similarly to Fielding, Aziz also shares this characteristic feature. He is a goodwilled person, who is eager to help people – let them be his patients or the newcomer English woman. Aziz offers his service and help to Mrs Moore and Adela immediately when he meets them for the first time. This act proves his absolute benevolence.
Except for Fielding and the newcomers, the other members of the English community are separated from the natives, they live in their closed world keeping away from the contact with them. Their only attempt to meet Indians by the request of Mrs Moore and Miss Quested – the 'Bridge Party' – fails, which is due to its artificial nature. Neither Mrs Moore, nor Adela is impressed. They are looking for natural and spontanious relationship with the Indian culture, which seems to be a valid but still a bit naive idea. They are seeking for new experiences and impressions, which they hope to find during their trip to the Marabar Caves.
The most significant point in the novel that initiates the change in the two main male characters is the scene in the caves. Mrs Moore and Adela have mystical experience in the caves, where something unknown happens to them. As they experience the unknown in the caves they experience this within themselves. I think, the caves here may symbolize the inner self of the characters, they get to recognize certain things as they discover themselves through the echoes that are present. After this recognition Adela seems to grow up with getting rid of her former naivity and uncertainity about herself.
The ladies' experience has an affect on the behaviour of the other characters as well. The antiphaty towards the natives culminates and manifests in the judgement of one single character, Dr Aziz. The charge seems to justify their presupposition and prejudice about Aziz being a native. The English charge Aziz unanimously exept for Fielding. He is the one who believes in Aziz's innocence, and who insists on maintaining his opinion during the case. Being close friends, Fielding can not think of Aziz to be guilty. As he says, 'The news gave me a very great shock, so I must ask you to forgive me. I cannot believe that Dr Aziz is guilty....The man's manner is perfectly natural; besides, I know him to be incapable of infamy.' (p.173).
Human prejudice works very hard in the English, especially if we think of Mr McBrycle's character, who represents the official power. His theory reflects the sense of superiority as a characteristic feature of the English colonists, which appears in the opinion of the other characters as well, let us think of the Turtons or Ronny for example. As Mr McBrycle says, 'All unfortunate natives are criminals at heart, for the simple reason that they live south of latitude 30. They are not to blame, they have not a dog's chance – we should be like them if we settled here.' (p.176). This approach highly contradicts Fielding's humanism, and it makes him cling to his opinion more strongly. In this respect the conversation between Mr McBrycle and Fielding has a crucial significance. Fielding wants to ask Adela personnaly about the incident, as someone, who is on the natives' side. As he says, 'But I wanted to ask her. I want someone who believes in him to ask her....She is among people who disbelieve in Indians.' (p.179).
Because of his feelings he is not understood by the English, their attitude towards the natives is conveyed to him as well. Their conflict culminates when he cuts the contact with the Club members. On one hand, he does not want to belong to their world any more, on the other hand his believes are not accepted either. That way no connection can be held. 'He was glad that he had broken with the Club, for he would have picked up scraps of gossip there, and reported them down in the city, and he was glad to be denied this opportunity.' (p.198). He does not mind to quit the ideas he does not share.
Fielding's character changes after the incident, especially as far as his feelings and opinion about Miss Quested is concerned. He gets in contact with her after the trial, and starts to understand her behaviour and character. Fielding appreciates her strength and bravery to withdraw her charge when she recognizes her mistake inspite of the strong pressure of her environment. To be merciful is what Fielding suggests to Aziz, to forgive her.
For Aziz the case causes a significant change in his life, especially as far as his attitude towards Adela and Fielding is concerned. As Fielding gets closer to Adela, he starts to get away from his friend. Aziz becomes offended and disappointed after the trial, even the provement of his innocence can not modify his feelings. He did everything to delight the ladies, to show them the real India, even if it costs too much for him. The prize of his intention is the spiritual harm he got that is impossible to forget. In his state of offence he is about to cut all the relations which contact him to the English community. He can not even stay in the British–Indian territory. The only solution for him is to escape from the slightest connection to the English world. As he says, 'You think that by letting Miss Quested off easily I shall make a better reputation for myself and Indians generally. No, no. It will be put down to weakness and the attempt to gain promotion officially. I have decided to have nothing more to do with British India, as a matter of fact. I shall seek service in some Moslem state,..., where Englishmen cannot insult me any more.' (p.251).
The changes in Aziz's feelings do not avoid his relation to Fielding. In their conversation (XXVII.ch.) the increasing tention between them can be discovered, where they speak about Aziz's strange behaviour and about their friendship. At the end of the conversation we can see how Aziz looses his belief in Fielding, which is due to the harm he has got from the others. Aziz can not believe that Mrs Moore is dead, the only person who was important for him.
Aziz feels that their friendship is spoiled, and a 'tragic coolness between him and his English friend' takes the place of their former warm and sincere friendship. They both feel they have to part which will put an end to their friendship.
In the last part of the novel –Temple– their parting comes to be real. Fielding decides to go to England, which means he has to cut his Indian relations. As he says at the beginning of the novel, 'He had discovered that it is possible to keep in with Indians and Englishman, but that he who would also keep in with Englishwoman must drop the Indians, The two wouldn't combine.' (p.80). He has made his choice, but still he travells away with ambivalent feelings, because he knows that with his departure their relationship is broken off. Aziz refuses to answer his letters that indicates his final decision about cutting all the links that connected him to the 'other' world.
Fielding's last visit in India is a crucial part in the novel relating to the development of their relationship. Here Fielding is the one, who initiates the meeting, and who tries to make the misunderstanding clear. Their conversation brings them close again, but they both know their parting is necessary. They are 'friends again, yet aware they would meet no more.' (p.310). They go to their 'last ride', where – once more– they can be together.
Aziz tries to wipe out the harms caused by the incident by forgiving his 'enemy', Adela , and Fielding as well. They would be ready for a new start of their friendship, but the external circumstances do not allow them to complete their intention. The differences that occur make a gap between them, which is too wide to across. " 'Why can't we be friends now? ...It's what I want. It's what you want. ‘But the horses didn't want it– they swerved apart; the earth didn't want it, sending up rocks through which riders must pass single–file...they didn't want it, they said in their hundred voices, ‘No, not yet, ‘and the sky said, 'No, not there.' " (p.316).
Political references appear in the novel constantly, where the British and Indian conflicts are emphasised. Inspite of the explicit presense of political standpoints, it is not the main purpose of the novel to give political propaganda. As Forster said, it is 'about something wider than politics'. The real conflicts in the novel are present on the level of personal relationships, which is manifested in the friendship of Aziz and Fielding. The gaps and rocks that rise between them indicates the cultural differences that may appear, but it also symbolises the common differences that can exist between two people when they get in contact with each other. The way the writer presents the fundamental personal relations makes the novel special: the personal differences are emphasised by the image of cultural and ratial oppositions.
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