Monday, November 25, 2013

Can we conclude from A Passage to India that Dr. Aziz was subject to undue prejudice by the British?

I certainly think that Forster makes the argument that it
would have been difficult for Aziz to receive a fair trial.   The idea of "the machinery
had already started" brings to light that Adela's accusations carry so much political
and social weight to them that had the case continued, it would have been nearly
impossible for Aziz to have a fair trial.  Yet, I think that this extends to a larger
issue than Aziz's trial.  In my mind, Forster seems to be casting a wide enough net to
assert that anyone trapped in the clash of cultures in the time period was unable to
fully perceive anyone's "guilt" or "innocence."  Take Aziz, for example.  After the
trial, Aziz holds a great deal of resentment towards Fielding for little valid reason. 
Aziz allows himself to be colored by the lens of cultural perception and racial bias in
presuming only the worst of Fielding.  The ending seems to indicate that while both men
might rise beyond their social stratification, the ability to view people as outside of
their cultures is something that is not ready to happen as of yet.  In this light,
Forster is asserting that few can ever be "innocent" or "guilty" in such a condition of
cultural clash.

No comments:

Post a Comment

What accomplishments did Bill Clinton have as president?

Of course, Bill Clinton's presidency will be most clearly remembered for the fact that he was only the second president ever...