A Passage To India Analysis

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Hanna Christelle Ho GREATWKC39

How did ‘A Passage to India’ portray the process of colonization? In trying to answer this question, I tried to analyze the actions and counteractions of the characters, between British and Indians, among British themselves, and among Indians themselves. I tried to relate this specific situations to the bigger picture of the intricacies associated with colonization.

I can say that ‘A Passage to India’ is an interplay of human interactions and characters depicting the challenges of racial-socio-cultural differences between two different races—the British and the Indians. The British and the Indians live in separate communities. The story commences calling attention to the condescending attitude of British officials. Dr, Aziz was called to attend to Major Callendar only to find that Major is out. Based on this scene, I think that what is shown is that even a professional is not accorded any respect.

The principal characters are the symbolic themes of the story. Dr. Aziz, a Muslim Indian, chided Mrs. Moore upon believing that she did not remove her shoes upon entering the mosque. When he learned that Mrs. Moore removed her shoes, he befriended Mrs. Moore. Aziz on his part is good natured, hospitable, kind, and thoughtful. He represents the educated Indian and the Muslim Indian. Mrs. Moore is the most distinguished Englishwoman character. She is symbolic of Christianity. She represents goodness, justice, respect, and understanding. She wants to see the real India, reach out, and make real interactions with the Indians. She understands and respects other religions.

Aziz and Mrs. Moore become instant friends. Mrs. Moore learns how natives are treated by treated by British as inferiors, wi...

... middle of paper ...

...t. Das, a Hindu judge tries to befriend Aziz.

Unfortunate turns of events in the story snap the hopes of establishing real friendship between British and Indians—Aziz and Mrs. Moore and Aziz and Adela. Aziz is convicted but eventually acquitted from a criminal of alleged rape of Adela. This made me think that the conviction process show how the justice system can be manipulated and bent to work in favor of the colonizers in power. Such turn of event is necessary to put to test the strength of character and of genuineness of friendship among Indians and British.

The novel depicts the interplay of human characters, beliefs, culture, and practices between the British colonizers and the Indians. It alludes to the truth that colonization need not be a painful one to both the colonizers and the colonized if it is taken in the context that all men are created equal.

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