Master's Degree in English Literature

Focus Areas: Literary analysis, critical theory, research methodologies in English studies.

Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature

The concept of colonization and imperialism in E.M Forster's A passage to India.

E.M. Forster's A Passage to India is considered as his masterpiece. He wrote That novel after he paid two visits to India. Forster in this novel focuses on personal Relationships avoiding the reference to political issues namely the colonization and The domination of Great Britain forces to India. He believes that, love, affection and İntimacy are the best vehicle to reach a kind of understanding between the native Indian and the Anglo-Indian, but he faces many problems in presenting the events, Because the Indian in A Passage to India insists on demanding independence from The British rule. This thesis consists of an introduction, three chapters and a Conclusion. Chapter one covers the Poetics of place in the novel. In the very beginning of The novel, Forster depicts the city of Chandarpore as the main setting of the events of The novel. It is divided into two completely different places. The one is native and is Described as very dirty and the streets there are very narrow and even the river Ganges is no more holy there. The second sector inhabited by the English is presented as very clean with gardens everywhere and even the river Ganges looks Very bright and clean there. The theme of separation is presented through the setting Of the novel. Chapter two deals with the organic form of A Passage to India. The novel Falls into three parts. The first one is called “Mosque” , symbol of Muslims religion, Where Dr. Aziz, the colonized, meets Mrs. Moore, the colonizer. A glimpse of hope Of attainting a balanced relationship between the native Indian and the British citizen Sparks through the relationship between Dr. Aziz and Mrs. Moore. Part two “Caves” Stands for disillusionment and misunderstanding between the two races which Developed after Adela's supposed to be raped in Marabar Caves. Part three “Temple” Shows the possibility of reconciliation and revelation between the two races Especially after Aziz is set free and all accusations are dropped. Furthermore, the Appearance of Mrs. Moore's children Ralph and Stella on the stage of the events also Gives a glimpse of hope and reconciliation between the two races at the end of the Novel. Chapter three deals with the concept of colonization and imperialism in the Novel. These concepts, in fact, are the dominant ones in the novel. The chapter Focuses on the Indian and the English relationship which passes through many ups And downs because most of the English in India consider themselves as “Superior” in Treating the native Indians as the “Inferior”. The novel closes with the famous scene Of the meeting between Aziz and Fielding in the jungle riding horses. The opposition Between the two is very obvious especially when Aziz refers to the Indian İndependence and he does not want to see any English in India anymore. It points out The impossibility of a balanced relationship between the two races while the British Forces are there ruling India.

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