Mosque

Set in Chandrapore, India, A Passage To India by E.M. Foster is set during a time of British rule. Englishmen were stationed all around India as a way to "keep peace" with the Indians. However, tension was evident throughout the area, mainly due to the English's idea that they were the superior race. Due to Britain's dominance over India, many Indian citizens were forced to accept any and all kinds of treatment given to them; Dr. Aziz, for example, was obligated to accept the fact that his time had been wasted by Mr. Callendar or else he would be punished for his "insubordination".

So far, I find Dr. Aziz fairly humorous in some aspects. There was one moment in the story where I related to him wholeheartedly: shortly after a tea party that Dr. Aziz attended, he became slightly sick. However, instead of going on with his daily routine, he decided to act as if the illness were something more serious than it really was simply because he wanted some time to enjoy himself. Although his idea of a good time differ from mine, I understand his need to get away and have some time to himself for once. Unfortunately, I feel that the attitude that he displayed during that moment is going to get him into some serious trouble should he decide to live by that idea all the time. Right now is not the time for him to slack off and, although I believe he knows that, I do not believe he will submit to it.

At the moment, I can somewhat relate the people of India to the Upper-Class here in America; actually, it's not only the Upper-Class I can relate them to, but this attitude is noticeable mainly in that group. They display a huge sense of pride in being Indian, as do the British, which is - most likely - their greatest cause of struggle and conflict. My main example for this opinion would be the Bridge Party incident. Mr. Turton invited many Indians of high stature to the Bridge Party. The Indians are shocked by the invitations, however, and some believe that he was forced to throw the party. Others, like the Nawab Bahadur, states that he appreciates the invite - which leads some of the Indians to believe he is lowering his standards while many, out of respect, decide to attend along with him. I find this sort of behavior to be common in American society because we all feel that we belong in certain groups, or clicks; as a result, this idea is pressed into our minds that doing anything outside of the norm shows weakness and shouldn't be done due to the "fact" that it reduces your value to society.

Food For Thought:

1. So far, who in this story can you relate to? Why?
2. Do you find that people still have similar relationships with their mother like Ronny does?
3. What do you predict will happen in the next section, Caves?
4. Who do you think the climax of the story will occur between?