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Adjustability
Fielding is the only shining star amongst the cluster of dim stars on the sky of Anglo-Indian relations. He is a man of wide experience. He came to India at the age of forty. At Victoria Terminus, Bombay, he had to bribe a European ticket inspector to get a berth in the first class compartment of the train which was leaving for Chandrapore. He did not believe in giving or taking of bribes. It shows that he could act favorably in response to the changing circumstances. He was capable of adjustability and was not given to rigid attitudes in life.
Open to New Impressions
In the train he met two Anglo-Indians, one was a young man and the other was a middle-aged gentleman. Both were different from him. He received new impressions and added to his knowledge by meeting persons who behaved differently in India.
An Able Educationist
He was an intelligent educationist and took keen interest in teaching his students. He was popular with his students because he showered on them his affection. This is amply proved during the trial scene. After the victory of Aziz, Fielding was taken in procession through the streets of the college by his students.
A True Friend
Fielding was the only Englishman who fought for an Indian, and antagonized the whole of the British community. He valued friendship and was always prepared to make any kind of sacrifice for the sake of his friends.
A True Christian
Fielding was a true Christian because he loved human beings and not Christians only. He not only believed inequality but also practiced it sincerely. He believed Muslims, Hindus and Christians to be the children of the same God, thereby deserved nothing but love. For this, he had to suffer, and he suffered nobly.
Chivalrous Spirit
The English ladies might not have liked him but Fielding respected ladies. He invited Mrs. Moore and Adela Quested to his residence to enable them to meet Indians. After the trial scene, when Adela was left lonely and forlorn, Fielding came to her rescue and took her under his protective wings and hosted her for months at his residence.
He was Highly Patriotic
Because his love for his country was undiluted, he was the only Englishman who tried to give a better image of the English nation. He loved truth, favored justice and helped the down-trodden. In contrast to him, the other Englishmen were marring the image of the English by their snobbery, racial-prejudice and heartlessness.
He Loved Indians
Fielding loved Indians and believed in friendship between the Indians and the Englishmen. At the party launched by the Collector, he was the only Englishman who was freely mixing with the Indians. He was desirous of friendship with Aziz. It was Dr. Aziz who spurned the hand of friendship on political grounds.
A Person of High Character
Fielding kept Adela in his house for months but never cast a bad glance at her. He had lot of self-control and could live with women under the same roof without losing control over himself. He was not only a strict disciplinarian at the college but also at home.
Married a Good Lady
Fielding married Miss Stella Moore knowing that she had inherited the liberal philosophy of life preached by her mother Lady Moore. Stella, like her mother had leaned towards Hinduism. He loved his wife and proved himself to be a good husband.
Conclusion
Amongst all the Englishmen at Chandrapore, Fielding was the most reasonable, highly intelligent, sensibly sympathetic and humanely cooperative. There could not be any doubt in the goodness of such a noble soul.
UNIVERSITY QUESTION
1. Is Cyril Fielding the only "good Englishman" at Chandrapore? Illustrate your answer with examples from the text.