Theme Of Corruption In A Passage To India

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The rise and eventual falling-out between Aziz and Cyril Fielding in A Passage to India embodies the social and political conflict of British-occupied India. The personalities of both characters stand in stark contrast to the beliefs of the their respective ethnic spheres - the tense societal convention during that time made friendly acts amongst Indians and Englishmen rare occurrences -, and initially, the two harbored respectful sentiments for one another; however, these feelings began to deteriorate after a ludacris occurrence at the Marabar Caves lead to the indictment of Aziz. The ensuing trial impelled a deep cultural divide amid the two nations and also the two characters, who eventually come to the realization that their contrasting …show more content…

Aziz, still enraged by Adela’s original assault accusation, requests an exorbitant amount of money to be paid to him in compensation; at this point, he harbors fierce sentiments against the British, and no longer concerns himself with impressing them. Fielding, though, views this punishment as unnecessarily harsh, as he respects Adela for her bravery in choosing honesty over social pressure in personally proclaiming Aziz’s innocence. Despite Fielding’s contrary opinion, Aziz refuses to show Adela any mercy, remarks that he will consult with Ms. Moore - who, unbeknownst to him, is dead - and heed her advice. This decision confuses Fielding; Aziz lets his dislike of Adela, who risked her entire social standing to save him, run wild while simultaneously adoring Ms. Moore, who essentially left in his most desperate hour. In his, Fielding’s, eyes, Aziz puts far too much much value on the perceived intentions of others, and he eventually reveals to him that Ms. Moore died. While another Indian in the room quickly dismisses this claim, the conflicting feelings between the two characters remain intact, and it is this scene that marks the beginning of the splintering of their

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