The Themes of Forster's Rescue

The Themes of Forster's Rescue

Forster uses the idea of Rescue as a continuous motif throughout the

book. It returns with different connotations in different situations.

For example, when Philip leaves to try and stop Lilia marrying an

Italian. This is the first of two rescue parties and is a physical

plan to rescue a character. However, Forster also uses the idea of

rescue through the development of Caroline and Philip's character.

Here "rescue" has connotations of conversion and being saved. These

two characters develop an emotional maturity am d knowledge of self

that allow them to belong to the category of the "saved". There are

also failures associated with these attempts of rescue. Philip failed

to prevent Lilia's marriage to the Italian and the rescue party that

departed to save the baby failed.

In order to examine why the rescue parties, dispatched from England,

failed in their original plan we should consider why these parties

assumed the right to determine the characters that need rescuing and

the right to rescue them. Mrs Herriton dispatched Philip "so Philip

was received with the news that he must start in half an hour for

Monteriano" Forster implies that it is Mrs Herriton's decision to send

a rescue party rather than Philip choosing to go and save Lilia. As

Mrs Herriton is Lilia's mother-in-law she has no real right to assume

this responsibility. However she does so and her reason, as she claims

is, "If Lilia marries him she insults the memory of Charles, she

insults Irma, she insults us. Therefore I forbid her and if she

disobeys we have done with her forever". This suggests that she is

protecting the memory of h...

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religious imagery and connotations to use. The conversion of Philip

and Caroline allows them to leave the baby with Gino and not feel

their visit was a failure.

However, Harriet and Mrs Herriton are not saved, rescued or converted.

They remain shallow characters throughout the novel. Harriet is used

as a contrast to Philip and Caroline's character development. This is

represented when she believes they can rescue the baby in two hours.

It is through Harriet and Mrs Herriton's pride and arrogance that the

second rescue mission fails. Harriet cannot leave Italy without the

baby as she perceives that to be a failure.

I believe the theme of rescue is a motif that runs throughout the

novel and shapes it into what it is. It is essential to the

understanding of the central characters, Philip and Caroline.