Mrs. Moore- The Liberal Colonial or the Modernist Woman?

Amidst the different characters and their idiosyncrasies, what becomes apparent is an underling Forsterian narrative about the liberal colonial and what the human associated with this label comes to represent within certain colonial structures. While Mrs. Moore, Fielding and Adela all fall under the same umbrella having similarities such as feeling like colonial misfits and being unable to uphold and maintain meaningful relationships, they also have stark differences which complexify their respective characterizations. However, Mrs. Moore’s character seems to resonate with the psyche in a rather odd manner- in that she might seem to be the most approachable, even heroic character, but becomes a representation of the Bloomsburian woman- fragmented, conflicted and ambivalent. So how does one end up describing the liberal colonial, in this case Mrs. Moore?

While the colonial British women who have been living in India for a while are presented as caricatures of society-aunties- racist and self-righteous club-goers (‘The Turtons and the Burtons’), Mrs. Moore’s mystical composition of the self brings about an ambivalent relationship between herself and the empire which she should be able to identify with.  Even though our knee jerk reaction towards the liberal colonial, in this case Mrs. Moore may seem good-hearted or religious for that matter, her character has human limitations. She seems to almost come across as a ghost or a quintessential modernist woman who essentially becomes apathetic, leaving India without bothering to testify to Aziz’s innocence or make sure of looking over Ronny and Adela’s wedding. Even though her spirituality and softened racial approach come across as very refreshing and almost counter-cultural to the British woman, it almost becomes a symptom of her fragmented psyche, where she is incapable to hold conversation or speak anything meaningful. Rather, she tries to find meaning, but becomes lost in that journey of her own.

Mrs. Moore comes to India with the heroic traits of kindness and an understanding heart but she goes back morose and disappointed. I often assumed that the process of ‘othering’ via the tools of imperialism were thought to be carried about by the colonial regimes but interestingly enough, Mrs. Moore felt othered and completely confused as to what the ‘real India’ really was. She may have found meaning in the mosque, but the caves offered her no solace and her character essentially became lost towards the closing end of the novel.