Foster introduces Adela as a character coming from England and excited about knowing the real India and the Indians. Unlike the self-proclaimed Gods of the colony, Adela is amongst those who carry a soft spot for the locals - not easily swayed by Ronny's 'dignity' (chapter 3) she has no qualms in embracing her desire to interact with the Indians before a hall full of Turtons and Lesleys who have always been weary of and condescending towards the natives. She substantiates her idea of the 'real' India saying,
"I am tired of seeing picturesque figures pass before me as a frieze. It was wonderful when we landed, but that superficial glamour soon goes."
So on the face of it, it might seem that she's someone who actually regards the Indians. However, as the plot develops we see that Adela is probably worse than the little gods of India for her interest in knowing the local transforms into a severe case of instrumentalization. The local is just an object of amusement for Adela and not something inherently worthy of respect . She makes this obvious time and time again, first when she denies the 'Bridge Party' and then herself limits her 'knowing the Indian' agenda to those she would come across socially. Later again, whilst talking to Mrs. Moore - she is quite amused imagining meeting a native man in a mosque and tags it as 'romantic'. Here she has not only reduced the man in the mosque to a charming object but has also failed to properly
comprehend the status of a mosque which necessarily is not a place to be associated with romance.
One might pardon her for she was new at that time, but this streak continues as later she thinks of the same man in the mosque as a 'handsome little oriental' who must have 'downed' (clearly, couldn't think of a better word) at least four native women as per the muslim tradition of polygamy. She is not struck by 'man in the mosque's' human or social presence but by his physical outlook (skin, hair etc) therefore yet again objectifying him and quickly being certain that due to the lack of 'vagrant blood' in her, she couldn't conceive of this man as a potential lover. Too bad, she couldn't figure out that this man in the mosque, this handsome little oriental with an attractive exoticized outlook - Aziz - is gay. #fag #humjins #homo #stupidadela #adeela
"I am tired of seeing picturesque figures pass before me as a frieze. It was wonderful when we landed, but that superficial glamour soon goes."
So on the face of it, it might seem that she's someone who actually regards the Indians. However, as the plot develops we see that Adela is probably worse than the little gods of India for her interest in knowing the local transforms into a severe case of instrumentalization. The local is just an object of amusement for Adela and not something inherently worthy of respect . She makes this obvious time and time again, first when she denies the 'Bridge Party' and then herself limits her 'knowing the Indian' agenda to those she would come across socially. Later again, whilst talking to Mrs. Moore - she is quite amused imagining meeting a native man in a mosque and tags it as 'romantic'. Here she has not only reduced the man in the mosque to a charming object but has also failed to properly
comprehend the status of a mosque which necessarily is not a place to be associated with romance.
One might pardon her for she was new at that time, but this streak continues as later she thinks of the same man in the mosque as a 'handsome little oriental' who must have 'downed' (clearly, couldn't think of a better word) at least four native women as per the muslim tradition of polygamy. She is not struck by 'man in the mosque's' human or social presence but by his physical outlook (skin, hair etc) therefore yet again objectifying him and quickly being certain that due to the lack of 'vagrant blood' in her, she couldn't conceive of this man as a potential lover. Too bad, she couldn't figure out that this man in the mosque, this handsome little oriental with an attractive exoticized outlook - Aziz - is gay. #fag #humjins #homo #stupidadela #adeela
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