In all of our class discussions surrounding A Passage To India, there's something that I feel has not been given enough thought: the voice of the narrator. The novel is revealing in a number of ways, concerning the attitude of the British towards the Orientals, or the people of the sub continent. Barring the obvious conclusions that can be drawn out of this novel, concerning notions of exile, I feel it is equally important that we discuss the author's perspective in this novel and what he's doing with the narrative.
Forster is present throughout the story, always bringing us closer to the consciousness of his characters but always self aware of himself as the dictatorial voice. Now the opening line of this novel is 'Except for the Malabar caves, the city of Chandrapore presents nothing extraordinary.' Starting here Forster goes to great length to explain why this city is not worth exploring or living in. The tone of disdain in the narrative's voice is so far not indicative of anything larger in itself for now. However, once characters start streaming in and the plot picks up there are countless places where Forster himself is speaking. 'Nevertheless walking fatigued him, as it fatigues everyone in India except the new-comer. There is something hostile in the soil,' and 'At Chandrapore the Turtons were little gods; soon they would retire to some suburban villa, and die exiled from glory.' - these two lines from the beginning of the book are only two examples where I've tried to contrast the narrator's approach to the natives of the sub-continent and imperial British. Forster is apprehensive and contemptuous towards the Orient, while reverent of the British.
This novel is the product of a particular Oriental mindset and the narrator's voice and tone should be studied with just as much care as we extend to questions of identity, domesticity, exile, sexuality, etc.
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