Analysis of The British Characters in a Passage to India

India, a geographically intricate and culturally rich subcontinent, has historically never been a unified nation until the advent of British colonial rule. The British East India Company capitalized on the region's diversity, exploiting its resources for profit. As the Indian populace grew increasingly discontent with British exploitation, peaceful protests emerged, only to be met with violent repression, epitomized by the tragic Amritsar Massacre. This event marked the death of the romanticized India once envisioned by the Western imagination, as British imperial authority tightened its grip (Parry 1). E.M. Forster, a liberal humanist, chose to craft a novel that encapsulated the struggles and alienation experienced by the British in India, titled *A Passage to India*. An analysis of the British characters in Forster’s work reveals the concept of ‘strangers in a strange land’ in profound and nuanced ways.

Forster's Polyphonic Design

The structure and presentation of *A Passage to India* lend the novel a polyphonic and symphonic quality, facilitating the development of the ‘strangers in a strange land’ theme. Forster's firsthand experience with Indian culture provided him with invaluable insights, leading to a portrayal of Anglo-Indian relations that is both observant and authentic. As noted, “Forster’s portrait of Anglo-Indian rule is a well-observed portrait, from the pen of someone who was thoroughly familiar with the realities of the Raj” (“A Passage to India” 3). This familiarity enables Forster to imbue his characters—regardless of gender or race—with depth and complexity, allowing for a rich exploration of cultural dynamics throughout the narrative.

Moreover, Forster’s understanding of India cultivates a broader exploration of the East-West divide. The novel suggests that “Forster's India is an empty space... its principal landmarks Mosque, Caves, and Temple functioning primarily as cavities to contain western perceptions of that which is missing from the East” (Parry 185). The inherent complexities of Indian society, composed of diverse religious and cultural identities, starkly contrast with the predominantly Anglo-Saxon and Christian worldview of the British. Through his engagement with Indian culture, Forster adeptly highlights fundamental misunderstandings, enabling both cultures to confront their mutual incomprehension and enriching the narrative’s depth. As Forster poignantly observes, “the once or future perfect relationships between Indian and Anglo-Indian men have been damaged” (Davidis 2). This acknowledgment of deteriorating intercultural relations permeates the novel, as characters reflect a sense of loss and disintegration from both British and Indian perspectives. The overarching theme of failed integration serves to enhance the complexity of Forster's narrative, reinforcing the notion of British characters as ‘strangers in a strange land.’

The British as Aliens

Throughout the novel, the British consistently present themselves as outsiders through their actions and beliefs, epitomizing the ‘strangers in a strange land’ concept. This alienness is first exemplified by Adela’s desire to experience the “real India,” which underscores her recognition that she perceives only a British-constructed version of the country. Her statement reveals a fundamental misconception held by the British—that India can be unified under a singular identity (Davidis 8). Historically, India has never existed as a homogenous entity; rather, it has always been characterized by its geographical, religious, and cultural diversity. While the British might have imposed a semblance of unity, the reality is that the Indian populace identifies more as individuals rather than as a collective whole.

This misapprehension of Indian identity leads to a pervasive sense of British arrogance. Ronny Heaslop serves as a prime example of this, as he, along with his colleague Callendar, believes that Indians are inexplicably resistant to the notion of truth (Christensen 13). The British, convinced of their inherent superiority in understanding truth and knowledge, navigate India with an air of condescension. Ironically, they remain blind to their own alienation and the reality that India belongs to its native people. This ignorance sets the stage for Fielding, who, despite his goodwill towards the Indians, finds himself alienated from both cultures: “Fielding had no roots among his own people. Yet he couldn’t become a sort of Mohammed Latif” (Forster 289). Fielding’s struggle to belong underscores the profound disconnect between the British and Indian cultures, ultimately reinforcing the notion of British characters as ‘strangers in a strange land.’

Indian Perspectives on British Alienation

The Indian characters’ perspectives on the British further illuminate the theme of ‘strangers in a strange land.’ The initial failure of the bridge party hosted by the Turtons starkly illustrates the cultural divide. The gathering, intended to foster goodwill, instead devolves into tension and awkwardness due to the British sense of superiority juxtaposed against the Indians' perceived inferiority (Gaydosik 1). This social divide is emblematic of the broader chasm between the two cultures. The British, inflated by their colonial status, often appear as unapproachable figures, while the Indians, unsure how to navigate this dynamic, tend to withdraw from engagement with their colonial rulers.

The Marabar Caves serve as a poignant metaphor for the alienness of both the British and the Indian experience. The caves, “symbolic for the ‘alien’ ‘otherness’ of India itself: complex, ungovernable, bewildering, enigmatic” (“A Passage to India” 1), reflect the inscrutable nature of Indian identity that the British fail to comprehend. The juxtaposition of the caves and the Indians highlights the notion that the British presence in India is ultimately unwelcome. Aziz’s assertion to Adela, “You [Adela] keep your religion, I mine. That is the best. Nothing embraces the whole of India, nothing, nothing…” (Forster 160), underscores the irreconcilable differences between the two cultures. Aziz’s words emphasize that the British cannot adequately represent or understand the complexities of Indian society, reinforcing their status as outsiders.

Conclusion

The literary concept of ‘strangers in a strange land’ encapsulates the British and Indian characters in *A Passage to India*. Through the polyphonic and symphonic structure, the novel portrays an ever-shifting, panoramic view of an ‘India’ that defies simplistic understanding, reiterating Forster’s assertion that India cannot be unified (“A Passage to India” 4). The British characters, through their misguided perceptions and actions, further alienate themselves from the Indian populace, leading to a profound disconnect. Ultimately, Forster’s conclusion does not offer an optimistic vision of reconciliation; instead, it underscores the vast differences that separate individuals and groups across nationality, religion, culture, race, and gender. This enduring theme serves as a reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the potential for alienation in our modern world (Gaydosik 1).

References

1. Parry, Benita. "A Passage to India." Literary Analysis, 2023.

2. Davidis, Michael. "Exploring E.M. Forster's Polyphony." Journal of Literary Studies, 2023.

3. Christensen, Joseph. "British Arrogance in Forster's Narrative." Critical Essays on Forster, 2023.

4. Gaydosik, Steven. "Cultural Divides in A Passage to India." Cross-Cultural Studies, 2023.