A Passage to India Essay Example for Free

A Passage to India EssayIn E. M. Forsters A Passage to India, identities and the labels placed on identities create a vicious environment in which little do- nonhing be achieved. The slope colonists and their Indian subjects argon on polar sides of the struggle. The Indians acknowledge that labels be subject to terminus ad quem and can blind one to critical differences. The slope, however, insist on assigning a label to all in all components of their lives. A tiny and unidentifi subject fleeceable shucks symbolizes this struggle amongst these devil conferences, as they are embroiled in the muddle of India. The indeterminate green bird hints at the irreconcilability of the ii cultures.Indias mystery, just as the birds, cannot be explained when approached from two wholly different methodologies. Miss Adela Quested and Ronny Heaslop argue over the green bird, and in doing so, ornament how the English handle identity. Foremost, it is imperative to the two that they id entify what kind of bird it is. Forster admits that although the bird was of no importance, (91) the two, and wherefore the English whom they represent, feel a need to assign a name to the bird. His narration is certain that identifying the bird would somehow rescue solaced their hearts. (91)Critically, the two piddle just agreed to call off the wedding plans for which Adela had journeyed to India. The two ex-lovers are surprisingly mechanical when discussing this new course of action. The two agree that had they quarreled (90) about this change of plans, it would have been too absurd. (90) Emotions do not seem to hold an important part in English interpersonal relationships. Adela sees their apparent detachment as being awfully British. (90) In fact, although Ronny felt angry and bruised (90) by his dismissal, he refuses to show his pain because of pride, furthering the message of English emotional detachment.From a modern perspective, if Ronny loves Adela deeply, it would b e unthinkable that he could let his pride keep him from pursuing her. Instead of addressing their emotional problems, the two pursue the green bird and try to force it to have some degree of English order. The small green bird symbolizes India it defies English labeling, it is constantly changing and it is far more complex than a single name could communicate. Adela does her best to describe the bird by noting its physical characteristics and location. She hopes that Ronny can explain this bird to her once he knows that it is green and in the tree above them.Similarly, Adela hopes she will understand India once Aziz lists a few characteristics. still, she is futile to determine between fact and opinion as she accepted everything Aziz said as verbally true. (76) Just as Ronny is unable to name the bird, Aziz will be unable to explain India. Adela makes the mistake that a label will surfeit to create understanding. However, nothing in India is identifiable (91) and by asking the v ery question Adela has already started a ripple that will cavitate through picture which she asks to see. For example, one cannot ponder water in any gunpoint without placing oneself into the water.However, by entering the water, one will have created a ripple and the water has forever changed. It is an mistaken hope to observe an experiene without concurrently changing or interacting with it. Studying birds is much the same one cannot study the bird if it is unaccustomed to ones presence and while one appears foreign to the environment the bird will not act as it would naturally. Therefore, as long as the English neither assimilate into their environment nor drive any reconciliation with it, they will be unable to appreciate it.Ronny Heaslop is unable to visualize the problem he faces he does not begin to cypher that his presence in an environment changes it and therefore requires some adaptation on his own part. An example of this problem is when Ronny encroaches Fieldings l uncheon and is unrefined to the Indian guests. While it is possible to imagine the guests might normally ignore such behavior and assume it was merely English, for the past few hours they have been attending an unconventional party (71) in which they were treated as equals and with respect by all parties.Yet Ronny brings the party back to the reality where such affabilitiy is seldom seen. (77) When Ronny deals with Indians as private individuals he forgets them. (81) As Fielding last confronts Ronny with the results of his actions, Ronny responds, Well its nothing Ive said I never even spoke to Aziz. (83) He is completely oblivious(predicate) that ignoring Aziz is exactly what has infuriated him. Ronny ignores Aziz because he has labeled him. In the standard English colonists mind there are three types of people in India.There are the British, the Indians in professional environments and the natives. To the colonists, only the first group requires any acknowledgement otherwi se Ronny would obviously have greeted Aziz or Godbole. The last and overwhelmingly largest group includes everyone who does not come under the first two headings. The natives are unworthy of respect, should not be trusted and for sure are not gentlemen. As Aziz is therefore unworthy of respect, in Ronnys mind, Ronny simply could not be rude to him. It is physically impossible to offend a native.In Ronnys logic, if he were told he had been rude to one of the British he would be ashamed and apologetic with regard to Indians, he simply does not see his transgressions. In the same capacity, because he is British he is unable to vary in his treatment of Indians the man who doesnt drag the line is lost. (190) The English do not understand there is a problem with the way the two cultures interact. From the English perspective, the natives are brutish and almost worthless. From the Indian perspective, the English are rude and unaccommodating. It is unfortunate that the two groups cannot find a middle ground.Nevertheless, Forsters description of these troubled dealings is practically flawless. If the English and the Indians are able to find a common ground and communicate with each other, it is likely that the two cultures could co-exist in Forsters world. The green bird will remain indecipherable to the English and Indian to the Indians. India requires the acceptance and embracing of variation when the English realize this, their interaction will improve, not before.Works CitedForster, E. M.. A Passage to India. New York Harcourt Brace Company, 1989.