A Passage to India is a novel written by British writer E.M.Forster (Edward Morgan Forster). It was published in 1924. It is one of the best 100 literary works of the 20th century. This novel portrays the British Raj in India around 1900. Read the A Passage to India summary here.
Key Information
- Title: A Passage to India
- Writer: E.M. Forster (1879-1970)
- Published: 1924
- Genre: Novel
Characters
- Dr. Aziz: Aziz is a young Muslim doctor from Chandrapore. He is a friend of Mr. Fielding, Mrs. Moore, and Adela Quested. Aziz is mistakenly arrested for assaulting Adela. Later, the allegation is proved wrong.
- Cyril Fielding: Fielding is a British man. He is a principal of a government college in Chandrapore. When Aziz is accused, he only believes that Azizi is innocent.
- Rony Heaslop: Rony is a British magistrate of Chandrapore. He doesn’t like the Indians.
- Mrs. Moore: Mother of Rony. She comes to visit India. She makes a good friendship with Aziz.
- Adela Quested: Adela also comes to visit India with Mrs. Moore. She loves the Indians.
Theme: Colonialism, Friendship, Race and Culture, Division vs Unity.
English Summary
At the very beginning of the novel, Aziz is discussing with his friends whether it is possible for Indians to be friends with the British. Aziz is a Muslim doctor from Chandrapore. He likes the English, but sometimes they are too strict which he doesn’t like. Meanwhile, Adela Quested and Mrs. Moore came to India from England. Mrs. Moore has come to visit her son Rony Heaslop. Rony Heaslop is in official charge of Chandrapore. He is engaged to Adela. These two ladies visit the English Club and wish to see the “real” India. Aziz met Mrs. Moore that night. At the first meeting, a good relationship developed between them.
Mr. Turton, the Collector of Chandrapore, hosted the English Club party. Mr. Fielding, Principal of Chandrapore Government College, is impressed by Adela’s friendly demeanor. Mr. Fielding invites Adela and Mrs. Moore to a tea party at his home. At Adela’s request, he also invites Aziz to that party.
Aziz and Fielding know each other already. Another Hindu Professor Godbole appeared at that party. The party is going well, but Rony Heslop comes and insults the Indians a lot. That’s why Edela is very upset with Rony. That evening, Adela thinks about her relationship with Rony Heaslop and decides not to marry him. The relationship ends with the consent of both of them. But soon after, Adela and Rony’s car mysteriously crashes. Edela then changes her mind and agrees to marry Rony.
Meanwhile, Aziz organizes a trip to the Marabar Caves to show Adela and Mrs. Moore the “real” India. Everyone who was at the tea party that day is invited to this trip. Aziz, Adela, and Mrs. Moore set off by train early on the day of the journey. Fielding and Godbole miss the train. But later they reach Marabar cave by another route. They enjoy riding on elephants. There Aziz organizes a kind of picnic. They go around looking at different caves. As Mrs. Moore becomes tired, she sits down and rests. And Adela and Aziz are exploring the cave with their guide. At some point during the trip, Adela realizes that she doesn’t love Rony. She discusses marriage with Aziz. He also asks Aziz why Aziz did not marry again. Aziz got busy looking at the cave without answering. He comes out of the cave and finds Adela gone. Aziz runs to the picnic spot. Fielding is also present there. They see Edela in a broken state heading toward Chandrapore in the collector’s wife’s car. The rest also return to Chandrapore by train. After Aziz returns to Chandrapore, he is arrested for harassing Adela in the cave.
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All the English unite and go against the Indians. Mr. Fielding only believes that Aziz is innocent and he is furious with the British for turning against Aziz. The echoes of the cave continue to ring in Mrs. Moore’s ears, making her sick. Adela also hears the echo. They have this echo embedded in their brains that is turning their logic upside down. Rony is disgusted by Mrs. Moore’s behavior and she sends his mother back to England. Mrs. Moore dies on the journey.
Aziz’s trial is very tense and chaotic. When Edela is questioned, she accuses Aziz. She tells the court that Aziz did not molest her. Aziz is released, and the whole of India celebrates that day. Fielding takes Adela to his home. Adela stays there for a while. Fielding repeatedly praises Adela’s bravery. Rony breaks off the relationship again and Adela returns to England.
Meanwhile Fielding returns to England. Aziz thinks Fielding cheats on him and marries Adela. After two years Aziz is settled in Maui. Fielding accompanies his wife and brother-in-law to Maui to meet Aziz. Aziz is shocked to learn that Fielding is married to Stella Moore. Stella Moore is Mrs. Moore’s daughter. The relationship between Aziz and Mr. Fielding is restored. Aziz tells everyone that Fielding and he are now friends. An Englishman and an Indian form a friendship.
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