A Passage To India by E.M. Forster - Learning From Literature

A Passage To India by E.M. Forster is a historical fiction novel published in 1924.

Purchase the book by clicking this link!

General Summary (No Spoilers!)

The novel begins with Miss Adela Quested and Mrs. Moore embarking on a journey to Chandrapore, India, to meet their prospective husband and son, city magistrate Ronny Moore. Although the two women arrive with eagerness to discover “the real India” and engage with locals, they soon realize that the British residents of Chandrapore intentionally isolate themselves from the local Indian community, avoiding contact whenever possible.

Dr. Aziz, a young Indian physician, befriends Mrs. Moore and Adela, offering to guide them to the renowned Marabar Hills, a range of unique caves that the local Indians take pride in. During the excursion, Adela gets separated in one of the caves and is later seen leaving with another group of Britons that had arrived. Upon the party’s return to Chandrapore, Aziz is arrested and charged with sexually assaulting Adela, his fate hanging solely on her testimony and circumstantial evidence.

The rest of the novel follows Dr. Aziz’s imprisonment and trial while the escalating racial tensions between the British and Indians near a breaking point, casting a harsh light on the toxic societal dynamics of the time.

Background

In 1857, direct British rule was imposed on India. The swift three-week travel between countries led to an influx of British women and “high-class” citizens, while officials vacationed in England instead of exploring India. As the upper-class population increased, British connections with Indian society dwindled, replaced by suspicion, indifference, and fear, eroding understanding of Indian life and culture.

Decades of underrepresentation and unfair treatment culminated in the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, where British troops shot thousands of men, women, and children at an unarmed gathering. This tragedy, coupled with persistent protests, nationalist sentiment, and lack of international support, weakened British control and eventually led to India’s independence.

In 1947, after almost a century under British rule, India and Pakistan were created as independent states.

A Passage To India is Forster’s attempt to capture the tensions between British and Indians, and in the process the reality of colonialism in general.

Themes

Colonialism

A Passage To India portrays the reality of life under foreign rule and the entire novel is centered around the idea of colonialism. Forster skillfully reveals that even well-intentioned colonists, no matter how kind, end up being oppressors due to the very nature and power dynamics of colonization

Religion

Various religions appear in the novel, from Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism to Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. No religion is touted as more significant than another, but Forster displays how all might provide a more inclusive view of humanity

Cultural, Racial, and Social Forces

The close examination of the British and Indians demonstrates how all people are subject to cultural norms to some degree and the importance of making allowances when interacting with people of different cultures

Review

A Passage To India conveys profound themes through a simple yet powerful narrative. One of the novel’s strengths is how accessible it is to readers (being short in length, simple vocabulary, etc) while still highlighting the broader themes of colonialism, prejudice, and friendship.

In addition, Forster’s vivid descriptions make it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the setting of 1900s India. His artistic attention to detail allows readers to visualize the context of the story.

Personal Thoughts And Recommendations

A Passage To India is an amazing book that I would recommend anyone to read. My favorite elements of the novel are the descriptions of the landscape, cultural insights, and the accurate if simplified depictions of life under colonial rule.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in exploring narratives addressing social issues such as colonialism or racial hierarchies. For example, if you like How To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee or Heart Of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, then you should read A Passage To India.

Check out more Fiction Book Reviews!