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Imperialism as shown in "A passage to India" Introduction: "A Passage to India", by E. M. Forester, was published in 1924. It goes deeper into the problems of Anglo-Indian, at the same time it offers us a clear picture of the conditions under which English and Indian live. In this essay, I'll give short definitions to both "empire" and "imperialism". Then, I'll discuss Edward Said's views concerning "Orientalism". Later, I'll analyze the three types of imperialism; political, economic and cultural. Finally, I will try to show the different attitudes of E.M. Forester through his characters and I'll justify if E. M. Forster is imperialist or not in "A passage to India" concerning his view about the Orient. Empire is defined as an extensive group of states ruled over by a single monarch or ruling authority whereas imperialism refers to a policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means which are unchallenged. (Literature in the Modern World.block4.P.8). For instance, India was a part of British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries where it affected all features of life extensively. e.g. Politically, economically and culturally. In his 'Discourse of the Orient', Edward Said thought that orientalism isn't geographically limited as it is a style of thinking based on an ideological distinction between the orient and the occident. Said considered orientalism as a method of discussion and analysis about the orient including writing about it, formulating views, describing or ruling over it. Orientalism can be considered as a western style for dominance and rule over the orient. Edward Said considered orientalism as an effective method through which the west practices control over the orient whether politically, culturally or economically. The west adopts an authority of language through literary imagination as the western writers use discourse in order to demonstrate their ideological messages to the readers particularly the orientalists. The third definition concerns discourse as a tool of power practice. Discourse contributes to mould and use contexts mainly aim at forming consciousness and unconsciousness. Said gave more importance to the west as consciousness of producing the orient: "Orientalism as a western style for dominating, restructuring, and having authority over the orient." (Critical Essays and Documents.P.259-260) Imperialism includes a political system when an imperial center governs a lot of colonies. British authorities used force to suppress local populations of colonies. They considered force as the most effective way to maintain control over all colonies. Moreover, Britain used more force after the first Indian War of Independence to subdue anti-British movements. After that, British forces were more vigorous to suppress Indian rebellion with more garrison. They didn't only use British forces but also a lot of Indian soldiers who belonged to non-commissioned ranks in Indian society. Britain used the illusion for more control over India whether depending on contest or partnership with Indians. (Literature in the Modern World.block4.P.4). Indian princes seemed to have authority as they tended to govern in an Indian way rather than British way in large parts of southern and central India. Furthermore, Britain supported their rule as it prevented all external threats against their autocracy over local population. British adopted specific measures to give Indians illusion of apparent autonomy. The Indians felt new experience of one nation being clearly subordinate to another in their country so British foreigners became settlers whose successors would be natives of India.( Literature in the Modern World.block4.P.5). In "A passage to India", the English political agent, colonel Maggs, is firmly located as a figure lacking the ultimate power of Turton although they might be seen equal representative of force and commanding culture. They both desired to fulfill demands urgently.( Literature in the Modern World.block4.P.51) The reference to the Civil Station and the creation of a geographically and politically stratified setting shows evidence of imperialism and political system in the novel. For example, at the lowest level, there is the river with the old town inhabited by Indians; on its banks, on the boundary is there is an open area where people from all races can meet without the formality of doors. This area is called 'maidan'. Beyond the maidan and on a higher ground are the houses of the people of mixed race and the railway. (Literature in the Modern World.block4.P,16). In addition, the British formed their club in Chandrapore where membership was not for the Indians. This shows how the British people looked down on the Indians and treated them as the "Others". They all had no intention in knowing the culture of the Indians. Furthermore, British Imperialism includes an economic system where there are a lot of in external investments in foreign colonies. An imperial center penetrates and controls foreign markets and sources of raw materials. However, change of political system, in colonies, doesn't affect economic system which continues until after the end of imperialism. For instance, a lot of fortunes were earned from importing cheap labor and natural resources from Africa and Asia to Britain. The economic consequences of British imperialism are hinted at only briefly in the novel. This occurs when Fielding mentions to Godbole and Adela that mangoes can now be purchased in England: "They ship them in ice-cold rooms. You can make India in England apparently, just as you can make England in India". (A Passage to India Chapter, VII, P. 79). This hints at the economic exploitation of India. The British claim to be in India for the good of the Indians, whereas in fact, they are there to increase their own wealth by setting up a system of trade that is entirely beneficial to themselves. Also, Britain controlled the capital which remained there. A lot of British scholars believed that a savage culture was existed in India before 1800. British Empire controlled India culturally as it flooded the colony with publications including British culture and values. Dr.Aziz as an educated Indian was directed towards Britain as he saw it as a natural destination however he represents a mixture of Indian and British values. (Literature in the Modern World.block4.P.7). Dr Aziz has a mixture of two cultures which were identified by E. M. Forster in "A passage to India". The two cultures are embodied in the British world of hospital and Indian world of life. (Literature in the Modern World.block4.P.30). Dr.Aziz represents a link between British culture and Indian culture as he was an outsider caught between the two cultures as Forster described him "In a room accessible to Western science by an outer staircase". ( P9.286 ) (Literature in the Modern World.block4.P.5). Cultural imperialism also appears obviously through the use of English language by Indians. Most Indian characters became more anglicized as they prefer to speak English language and wear white suits particularly Dr.Aziz and professor Godbole. Thus, Forester uses quaintness of speech to mark the Indians but they are allowed being easily fluent in the language of their 'masters'. In the following section, I'm going to justify if E.M. Forster is imperialist or not in "A passage to India" concerning his view about the orient. E.M. Forster is ambivalent in "A Passage to India" concerning imperialism notion as he sometimes appears as a highly imperialist and other times he seems as Indians supporter. On one hand, Forster supports English snobbery towards native Indians as English people tended to treat Indians as inferior creatures' not equal human beings on their land. Furthermore, Forster referred to Indians' acceptance to such bad treatment in their own society. He introduced Dr.Aziz as a highly educated Indian who made a lot of attempts in order to gain much respect of English people in India. Dr. Aziz represented all educated Indians who believed that they can be equal to English people due to their education. Dr.Aziz made a lot of attempts in order to cross barriers with English people therefore he intended to invite Mrs. Moore and Fielding to his house, but then realizes that this is not a suitable place for entertaining Western guests. This indicated Dr. Aziz's interest and high concern of good appearance in order to be more adjacent to English characters in his own country. As a result, he asked Mrs. Moore, Fielding, and Adela Quested to join him for a picnic at the Marabar Caves, a famous natural landmark outside the town. E.M. Forster seems rather imperialist when he introduced Indian people in less modern costumes but English people appeared wearing the most modern styles of clothes. English gentlemen were portrayed wearing white suits with waistcoats and sometimes umbrella and costumes of English women included white linen skirts and high necked tops. On the other hand, Indian men wore ancient styles of clothes which included white pajamas and turbans on their heads and Indian women wore saris. Forster emphasizes the difference of Indians with English people who insisted on appearance as they are usually used to be seen in their own country. English clothes seemed a main part of English character which is discriminated from Indians even if they were living on their territories. Forster introduced English people as the most powerful authorities which were able to prevent Indians from some privileges in their country. They were presented as the governors or rulers of foreign country who dominates all people there. Thus, Forster describes Aziz when he enters the order of the British civil lines as his whole frame of mind changes; "depression suddenly seized him … he felt caught in their meshes". (Literature in the Modern World.block4. P. 19) The writer of "A Passage to India" emphasized the discrimination of religion between English people who adopted Christianity and Indians who were divided into Muslims and Hindus. On the other hand, Forster used religion in order not to appear as an imperialist when he highlighted change of Mrs Moore who acted as a true Christian as she reminded her son, Ronny, of Christian teachings towards other peoples : " God has puts us on earth to love and help our fellow men'. (A Passage to India Chapter V p 49) Forster introduced friendship of Aziz and Fielding as an example of non imperialist. E. M. Forster used Fielding character as the English man who would like to overcome obstacles of race and apartheid against the east. The writer introduced Mr. Fielding as a highly educated man who didn't mind making relations with Indians on equal foot. He always tried to understand Indians' nature as equal but not inferior people. Therefore; he became the closest friend of Dr. Aziz. Mr. Fielding begins in the side of Indians until the end of the novel when he came in favor of Dr.Aziz in the court. Following Aziz's arrest, Turton told Fielding that in his twenty-five years in India : "I have never known anything but disaster result when English people and Indians attempt to be intimate socially." ( A passage to India , Chapter XXXI P. 222) Forster introduced Adela who was determined to give evidence against Aziz. However, the writer provided some gaps in the caves scene and emphasized Aziz's nobility in other scenes. After that, Forster provided narrative of accusations against Aziz and introduced Adela as a reliable witness. Forster introduced change in Adela's attitude as she dropped all her accusations against Dr.Aziz in the court : " I'm not quite sure, I m afraid I had made a mistake; Dr. Aziz never follows me in the cave " (A Passage to India Chapter XXXII p. 228). This shows English justice in order to be equal to Indians not to govern them in their country. It is a positive attitude of imperialism. Moreover, after the trial, Fielding was still adhere to Dr.Aziz's friendship but Aziz refused to maintain as a friend one English people. Until the end of the play, Forster still supported liberalism and justice for the Indians and adhered to morals and national identity of the west. The trial scene confirmed a sense that knowledge is possible but it may be negative and limited. Forster emphasized equality between Indians and English people when the English got down after they had risen to the platform. Forster intensified the imperialist dominance at the same time but he gave the equality as a higher set of values than imperialism which seemed apparent subservience. (Literature in the Modern World.block4.P.41). E.M. Forster used Ronny's character in order to illustrate the effect of British colonialism and how it affected English personality. Although he seemed to be an open minded youth, he turned to be a suspicion of Indians. He adopted imperialist character in India so he forgot sensibility and turned to be Anglo-Indian. This attitude caused clash between Ronny and Mrs Moore, his mother, and Adela. Ronny thought that Indians can't govern themselves but they must be governed by British authorities. This suggest not only that the 'oriental' lacks moral refinement, but that he can not be trusted to reach a right decision without a set of colonial administrators. For example, at the trial scene : " all but hides Aziz's point of view". (Literature in the Modern World.block4. P 61) On the other hand, Mr Moore expressed her sympathy with Indians and reminded him of Jesus' teachings. For example, at the bridge party scene, Mrs. Moore says to her son Rorey ; "You all behave so unpleasant to these people. Roney, in response, says; "We are not out here to be pleasant, we're out here to do justice and keep the peace". (A Passge to India Chapter V p 47) In "The geography of "A passage to India", Sara suleri believed that there was an obvious relation between domination of imperialism and female sexuality in Forster's novel "A passage to India". She thought that E.M. Forster used the landscape of caves and huge mountains of India represented impenetrable sexuality of males. The female writer made a relation between nature of caves and what happened there. Sara thought that Forster didn't care about India as a nation or people but he gave it more attention as a passage to self-understanding of English personality. She believed that Forster referred to non existence of India but it is a representation of other things" With its compelling and durable image of India which is of course the figure of India as a hollow or a cave." (Critical essays and documents.P.272) E.M. Forster emphasized three architectural structures in "A passage to India" as he divided the novel into three sections "Mosque, Caves, and Temple". Forster represented distinctive landscape of India as if he referred to aesthetic nature of the orient. On one hand, he portrayed architecture of India as it lacked good appearance or reality. All buildings are portrayed in chaos without any planning or order to show the muddle of India. In final pages of "A passage to India", Forster kept sophisticated nature of narrative as he displaced the normal features of political and racial concepts with natural images and relations in conflict. Forster didn't escape to personal relations but he became convinced with political pessimism and alienation of imperialism.Therefore,the promised unity of nature is restored in new images but they all were frustrated. E.M. Forster identified foreignness of India felt by travelers and the pessimism of liberals. (Literature in the Modern World.block4.P.55) Conclusion: To sum up, Oriantalism teaches us to be concerned with the representation itself rather than whether it corresponds to the 'real' orient. Although the action of A Passage to India takes place entirely in India, it should be remembered that Forster was a British writer, and that most of his readers were British. Thus, the work reflects not only the contemporary India, which is its overt subject, but also England and the environment in which Forster lived and wrote. In "A passage to India", E.M. Forster seemed to be ambivalent as he didn't appear to be imperialist or not concerning his view about the orient. The writer introduced his own view that mutual respect cannot be achieved between Indians and English people in India as long as it was occupied. References: Dawson, S. (ed.) (2005), Literature in the Modern World: End of Empire, The Open University. Dawson, S. & Davies, J. (ed.) (2005), Literature in the Modern World: Critical Essays and Documents, The Open University. Forster ,E.M. (2000) ‘A passage to India’, Penguin Books Ltd ,London, England .