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Aziz and Fielding are two of the important characters in the novel. They remain on the screen from the beginning till the end and are destined to play significant roles.
Fielding an Atheist—Aziz a Theist
Aziz was a Moslem and believed in God. Whenever he was in trouble he went to the mosque for solace. Fielding was an atheist though he was a Christian. He did not believe in any spiritual world beyond this mundane world.
Fielding Unemotional — Aziz Emotional
Aziz was emotional and impulsive. He invited Mrs. Moore and Miss Adela to his residence and then suddenly realized that he had committed a mistake because his house was dirty and not well decorated. As a matter of fact he had criticized the Bhattacharya's for not sending the carriage to Lady Moore and Miss Quested. He believed that their house must have been dirty as the Hindus were generally dirty. He forgot that his own house was not clean either. Fielding, being an Englishman, had a clean and neat house which was well kept.
Aziz Becomes Nervous—Fielding Imperturbed in Tribulations
The weak points of Aziz's character are brought out by his arrest. He was highly nervous and wept like a child and did not know what to do. Fielding on the other hand came out purified out of the fire of ordeal. He met McBryde and Turton to plead the case of Aziz. At the club, to the annoyance of all, he fought for Aziz and preferred to give up his membership of the club.
Aziz Married—Fielding A Bachelor
Aziz was a widower with three children. He loved his children and sent them a large amount of his salary every month. He himself lived on a small amount. On the other hand Fielding was a bachelor, spending his salary on himself. It was only at the end, that he went in for marriage.
Aziz Frank—Fielding Reserved
Aziz was frank and opened his heart to his friends like a book. He took Fielding into his confidence when the latter came to enquire after his health. Aziz showed Fielding the photograph of his wife, telling him that to show the photograph of his wife, being a Muslim was the highest privilege he could bestow on his friend. He asked Fielding whether he had relation with any woman. Fielding told him that he had loved a girl once, who had deserted him and thereafter he had not loved any other girl. After that he preferred not to tell anything more to Aziz.
Fielding Chivalrous — Aziz Revengeful
Aziz after being freed, sued Miss Adela Quested for compensation against slander. Fielding called this act as unreasonable and unfair. He persuaded Aziz to withdraw his claim of reparation of money. Finding that Aziz was reluctant to oblige him, he invoked the memory of Mrs. Moore, telling Aziz that Mrs. Moore wanted no harm done to Miss Adela Quested. The trick worked and Aziz withdrew the case against Adela Quested.
Fielding Believes in Constant Friendship — Aziz Does Not
Fielding believed in constant friendship, irrespective of the differences of race, language, color or religion. He kept up friendship with Aziz even under tense situations. In the last scene, he asked Aziz to be friends again. It was Aziz who said W. Aziz believed that there could be no friendship between him and Fielding because Fielding belonged to the ruling race, and he to the subject race. Aziz had become a staunch nationalist and wanted to kick every Englishman into the sea. Friendship, according to him, could last among equals only.
UNIVERSITY QUESTION
Compare and Contrast the characters of Fielding and Aziz.