Student Question
Is A Passage to India a critique of human experience?
Quick answer:
A Passage to India critiques human experience by exploring tensions between British colonizers and native Indians. It highlights issues like unjust accusations, as seen when Dr. Aziz is falsely accused of misconduct, showcasing how prejudice can lead to injustice. The novel also addresses political oppression and its effects, emphasizing the struggle against colonial rule. Additionally, it examines how cultural differences can hinder personal relationships, as seen in the strained friendship between Aziz and Fielding.
E.M. Forster's A Passage to India certainly does critique some aspects of human experience. Let's look at some of the issues the author presents as being worthy of our criticism.
We might first look at the relationship between the British and the native Indian peoples, both Muslim and Hindu. There is a good bit of suspicion and tension between them. When Miss Quested accuses Dr. Aziz of sexual misconduct, opinion turns against him quickly, and Aziz is treated unjustly even though he is innocent and eventually proven so. We see how easy it is to accuse someone who is different and how quick others are to believe that accusation without proof. Aziz loses his trust, even in Fielding.
As we think about other criticisms the novel makes with regard to human behavior, we could point to the political issues surrounding the Rajah's death and its concealment in the last section of the novel. There are quite a few factors in play here that Aziz thinks will lead to the British pulling out of India. The author is showing how a people will fight against oppression in many different ways and also how pervasive that oppression can be.
Finally, consider how circumstances like oppression and differences in culture can get in the way of individual relationships. Aziz and Fielding make some progress in reestablishing their friendship at the end of the story, but there are just too many tensions for the two men to completely resume the trust and respect they once had. This, too, is something of a critique of the human experience, for it shows the deep divides that can grow between people and how difficult those are to overcome.
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