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E. M. Forster

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E. M. Forster Biography

E. M. Forster had class—though perhaps he would have liked a little less of it. One major theme throughout his body of work, which includes the novels Howards End and Maurice, is an examination of the English class system and its impact on his characters’ personal lives—usually not for the better. Also of particular interest to Forster was the explosive intersection of class and race, which his most acclaimed novel, A Passage to India, examines in the context of England’s decline as a colonial power. A secular humanist throughout his life, Forster was gravely concerned about social, political, and spiritual divisions in the world. In his essay “What I Believe,” he mentions the foundations of how we can all get along a little better: “tolerance, good temper, and sympathy.”

Facts and Trivia

  • Despite living to the ripe old age of 91, Forster published his last (and some would argue greatest) novel, A Passage to India, when he was just 45.
  • While studying at Cambridge, Forster became a member of the Apostles, a secret intellectual society that has been around for nearly two hundred years.
  • Although he didn’t live to see it, Forster played a key role in the reputation of the filmmaking team of Ismael Merchant and James Ivory. Two of their best-known and highest-regarded films are adaptations of Forster’s work: A Room With a View (1986) and Howards End (1992).
  • Forster was a gay man who remained closeted throughout his long life. A novel detailing a gay love affair in the midst of the strict English class system, Maurice, was published a year after his death.
  • Following the publication of A Passage to India, Forster shifted his focus and embarked on a very successful career as a broadcaster for the BBC.

Biography

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E. M. Forster is celebrated for his insightful depictions of Edwardian life and his exploration of complex social issues through literature. By the time he wrote A Passage to India, Forster had established himself as a prominent novelist with several acclaimed works. Though his literary output was sparse for a period, his influence on literature and culture remains significant.

Early Life and Education

Edward Morgan Forster was born in the bustling city of London on the first day of 1879, as an only child. His father, an architect, passed away when Forster was merely a year old, leaving him to be raised by a household of women—his mother, grandmother, and his father’s aunt. The latter left him a substantial inheritance of 8,000 pounds, which would eventually fund his education and early travels, allowing him financial independence early in his writing career.

Formative Years

Forster spent his early years in the picturesque English countryside to the north of London, enjoying a joyful childhood. He attended preparatory school in Eastbourne before his family relocated to Kent. It was there he attended Tonbridge School, a traditional English public school where his experiences were far from pleasant. His fortunes turned at Cambridge University, where he delved into classical studies at King’s College. Cambridge was a period of intellectual flourishing for Forster; he joined the Apostles, an exclusive intellectual society, and came under the influence of philosopher G.E. Moore. This period was pivotal, shaping his philosophical outlook and fostering connections with future luminaries of the Bloomsbury Group.

Travel and Literary Aspirations

Post-Cambridge, Forster’s travels to Italy and Greece further enriched his perspectives and cemented his resolve to pursue a literary career. In 1902, he took up a post as an instructor at London’s Working Men’s College, a position he held for the next twenty years. His tenure at this institution coincided with the time he lived with his mother in Weybridge, near London.

Influences and Early Works

While residing in Weybridge, Forster came into contact with Syed Ross Masood, an Indian student whom he tutored. Their friendship sparked Forster’s interest in India, prompting his first journey to the subcontinent in 1912 alongside friends from his Cambridge days. He spent six months in India, specifically in Bankipore on the Ganges River. This town would later serve as the inspiration for Chandrapore in A Passage to India. His visit to the Barabar Caves provided the basis for the fictional Marabar Caves. Although he began drafting this novel during his stay, Forster set it aside upon his return to England to write Maurice, a novel exploring themes of homosexual love—considered provocative material for the era, leading Forster to withhold its publication during his lifetime.

World War I and Later Travels

The outbreak of World War I saw Forster volunteering with the Red Cross in Alexandria, Egypt, immersing him in a new cultural and geographical context. In 1921, he revisited India, spending another half-year, this time as the private secretary to the Maharajah of Dewas Senior. This period deepened his understanding of Indian culture and politics, equipping him with richer material for his novel. Upon returning to England, Forster completed A Passage to India, dedicating it to Masood. Despite his initial apprehensions regarding its success, the book was well-received and marked the zenith of his novel writing career. The favorable reception reassured Forster, who thereafter largely shifted his focus to writing short stories, essays, and contributing to radio broadcasts.

Later Life and Legacy

Forster’s literary pursuits continued post-A Passage to India, although he abstained from producing further novels. He remained an influential figure in literature through his essays and short stories, receiving numerous awards and honors over his lifetime. His impact on the literary world persisted even after his death on June 7, 1970, in Coventry, England. Today, his works continue to captivate audiences, with most of his novels, save for The Longest Journey, having been adapted into films, underscoring his enduring legacy in both literature and cinema.

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