The Failure Of Westerners' Cultural Penetration In India

Edward Morgan Forster (1879-1970) is regarded as one of the greatest novelists in 20^th century Britain. And his masterpiece A Passage to India is a typically cross-cultural novel. The employment of symbolism and mysticism is an outstanding characteristic of the novel. This thesis attempts to discuss the conflicts of heterogeneous cultures and religions, and analyze the reason of European's failure in India, so that readers could have a better comprehension of its theme and its artistic values. The theme of separateness and barriers,which runs through all Forster's novels,is hugely expanded and everywhere dominant in this novel. Cultural and religious differences keep Indian and Englishman apart, especially in an imperial India. And the westerner's passage to India is doomed to a failure. The thesis consists of three parts.Chapter one starts by presenting Forster's liberal ideas, which help him to shape a realistic world and describe the Indian landscape from a more objective point of view. Forster is fascinated by Indian religions and the mysterious features of India. He criticizes the Euro-centrism of the Anglo-Indians who believe in the superiority of their own Anglo-European culture to that of the colonized. It is a negative factor for westerners to understand India. At the same time, Forster shows his sympathy for the Indian people.Chapter two analyzes the conflicts between heterogeneous religious beliefs in Indian society. The book teems with the collisions between the different identities in different races and religions. Forster praises Aziz, as a representative of Islam, for the spontaneity and real sensuousness of his passion. By emphasizing the idea of man's nearness to God, Hinduism gives religion a significance and mystery which Islam and Christianity do not have, while Christianity is always debased by the author for its uncongeniality with human beings and with Indian society. It is also an impediment element which presents Britons from understanding Indian society and its mysterious culture, and from establishing a harmonious relationship with Indian people. Chapter three describes the hostile Marabar and its echoes, symbolized as the mystery, chaos and power of India, which brings on Adela's delusion and Mrs.Moore's breakdown of religious belief. Adela's emotional crisis shows the inadequacy of western reasons, while Mrs. Moore's spiritual crisis is an evidence of the weakness of Christian belief. The Marabar Caves give a negation to the westerner's passage to India, which begets frustration and disaster.Through the analysis of cultural and religious differences, the thesis concludes that it is impossible for the westerners to understand Indian culture. They are aliens in Indian society. That is the reason why they are separated from Indian society.