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E.M. Forster chose a very delicate subject of Nationalism for his novel A Passage to India. Though the theme of the novel is based upon personal relationships, the framework of the story rests upon the relationship between the different communities. The British ruling class was convinced that India could never become a great nation of the world. Even a broad-minded and generous Britisher like Mr. Cyril Fielding, the Principal of the Government College at Chandrapore, while friendly to Aziz, mocks and taunts him at the idea that India could ever become independent ''India, a nation! what an apotheosis! Last comer to the drab nineteenth-century sisterhood! Waddling in at this hour of the world to take her seat. She, whose only peer was the Holy Roman Empire, she shall rank with Guatemala and Belgium perhaps!"
But the Indians thought otherwise, although they were under British rule and led an abject and miserable life, they were constantly hoping to win their freedom someday. This is what Aziz says in his enthusiasm "India shall be a nation. No foreigners of any sort! Hindu and Muslim and Sikh and all shall be one. Hurrah! Hurrah !! for India! Hurrah! Hurrah !!"
It was the endeavor of the Britishers to keep the Hindus and and the Muslims embittered and suspicious towards each other and thus manage to rule over India for a long time. But Indians like Dr. Aziz soon came to realize that their real enemy was the ruling clan. They asserted with full confidence that "India shall be a nation" and it shall be rid of foreigners someday.
UNIVERSITY QUESTIONS
"Suppressed, oppressed by the British Imperialistic rule, the Indian life had been made inactive for creative purposes, but the spirit of Indian nationalism remained unconquered" Examine this remark in the light of Forster's A Passage to India.
Or
"A Passage to India deals with Indian nationalism." Do you agree with this remark?