A Passage to India

Staff Pick

Ezra Pound said, "Fundamental accuracy of statement is the one sole morality of writing." I think this might be the best novel of cross-cultural misunderstanding written in the English language. On one level, it is pure sensual delight. On another, it's a wonderful mystery. On a third level, it utilizes that accuracy Pound was talking about above with great compassion, comedy, and depth. It is filled with characters who blithely go about their lives with little understanding of why others do as they do. Whether taken on one level or many, this is a novel you'll love and savor over and over again.
Recommended by Fidel, Powells.com

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SarahNicoleD, February 20, 2011 (view all comments by SarahNicoleD)
Read it. Then you'll find yourself picking up this book at every chance, re-reading and savoring each page as the words haunt your mind. It's one of those books.

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jack.holmen, May 4, 2010 (view all comments by jack.holmen)
Approaching E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India one may say it is simply another work of classic British Literature, on the contrary the novel is full of plot twists with deceit and adventure lurking around every corner. The novel begins in early twentieth century India, where the British are comfortably colonized into India. Adela Questad arrives in Chandrapor, India. Adela is a young vibrant school mistress who is searching for the real India, Adela arrives with her future mother-law, Mrs. Moore a calm open-minded elderly women. When Adela first arrives in the village of Chandrapore she is not introduced to the India she was looking for, instead she is kept in the homes of stuffy British colonists. In search of the real India Adela meets Dr. Aziz, an Indian doctor who studied in England, Aziz is tired of the British colonization of India, and believes it is important that the British leave. Adela and Aziz are introduced at a Bridge Party, a party where the two cultures supposedly interact with each other. At the party Aziz promises to show Adela the real India by bringing her to the Marabar Caves. While at the Marabar Caves, an incident occurs where Adela becomes distraught and miserable, when she arrives back at the village she claims Aziz sexually assaulted her in the caves. Aziz is then put on trial for his crime, and the result of trial causes many changes for the characters in the novel.
The novel does not advertise to a certain gender. It is relatable to both males and females. Being that the novel is descriptive and detailed; a younger audience may not find the novel appealing. Having description and detail in the novel emphasizes the importance of culture and history in Post- Victorian India. Forster creates such great development in each character with detail, as the novel comes to an end, the reader truly understands and empathizes with each of the characters.
I consider the novel a great work of art, the detail and development of each character truly emphasized Forster’s gift of writing. The setting in novel creates such a sense for adventure and mystery, along with the elegance of the time period. Forster brings up the important question of whether the British Occupation in India during the time, was necessary or not.
Some of the major points the novel reveals is whether or not the British control in India is necessary. In novel Forster wrights dialogue saying, “Is emotion a sack of potatoes, so much the pound, to be measured out? Am I a machine?” The quote emphasizes the relationship the Indians had with the British. The British see India only as profit, and not the potential it has in its people.
Forster also explores the India of the relationship between man and nature. He emphasizes the mysteries of nature and the importance of how many should respect nature. In the novel Forster wrights, “Pathos, piety, courage, — they exist, but are identical, and so is filth. Everything exists, nothing has value.” Understanding the importance of these three entities establishes the importance of nature and man.
The reoccurance of the idea that India did not need British occupation is very clear, he emphasizes the idea by saying, “, that came into view as they emerged from the gap and saw Mau beneath: they didn't want it, they said in their hundred voices 'No, not yet,' and the sky said 'No, not there.' This cry from the people shows the importance of the clashing of cultures, and that the dominant British did not respect the Indian people in a humane way.
Overall, A Passage to India by E.M. Forster creates a world of mystery and adventure. It raises many questions on the importance of nature and keeping a culture the way it was found in the first place. I would recommend the novel to a multitude of people aging in age and culture

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Product Details

ISBN:

9780156711425

Author:

Forster, E M

Publisher:

Harvest Books

Author:

Forster, E. M.

Author:

Forster, Edward Morgan

Location:

New York

Subject:

Fiction

Subject:

India

Subject:

Classics

Subject:

Novels and novellas

Subject:

Literature

Subject:

Race relations

Subject:

British

Subject:

Political fiction

Subject:

Race relations -- Fiction.

Subject:

Literature-A to Z

Copyright:

1984

Edition Description:

Trade Paper

Series Volume:

91

Publication Date:

19650331

Binding:

TRADE PAPER

Language:

English

Illustrations:

Y

Pages:

368

Dimensions:

8 x 5.31 in 0.72 pd