Day Two Hundred and Twenty Three
A Passage to India Page: 336 Finished
Reading Forster’s novel has me thinking about love and the difference it makes. Certainly the colonial issues presented in the novel are worth discussing and the racial issues, likewise. But I think the deeper issue is the characters’ inability to love. Mrs. Moore loves her children and works for their good but aside from her efforts none of them spend any time seeking the good of their fellow man. (Right now I feel like I’m drafting a term paper!) I wouldn’t like to be accused of over-simplifying but still the enormous despondency of the novel seems to rest in the complete lack of steady, disinterested Charity. Miss Quested neither loves her fiance or “the Indians” she is only concerned about what kind of a figure she cuts socially. She has chosen to be non-conformist on racial matters but really is looking to make herself more interesting. Aziz is desperately concerned with his reputation and relations but these concerns stem not from love of his fellows or of the English but from a combination of ambition and cultural hospitality. Love is difficult enough with it but without Divine Grace impossible and it is funny that Forster only allows the atheist to exercise it for any length of time.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:53 am
Hello Mandi, I have been without internet for a month and caught up on your blog today. I’m sorry you’ve had to close your business and I’m sorry for the thoughtless comments people have made.
I agree with you about A Passage to India. I wrote a few comments about Forster’s views of faith and friendship on my blog: http://worthwhilebooks.blogspot.com/2008/04/passage-to-india-by-em-forster.html
I’ve quoted you on my blog before and will probably do so again. Your June 29 comments on Thomas Mann were great.
Blessings, Hope Owsley
August 11th, 2008 at 5:46 am
God is love. It’s that simple. Without God anything you give is only for something in return and therefore not unconditional and therefore not love.