The Liberal Colonial: Mr. Fielding, Neither a Missionary, Nor a Student

"How's one to see the real India?"

"Try seeing Indians."

Under the blanket term of the liberal colonial, Mr. Fielding stands out as a 'hard-bitten, good-tempered, intelligent fellow on the verge of middle age, with a belief in education'. One of the things that make him distinct is his disconnect from the rest of the people, Indians, Anglo-Indians and Englishwomen. He calls himself a hermit and his language is that of self-imposed exile. From his first journey to India, he recalls the 'gulf (that) divided him from' his fellows. A humanist, Fielding was not caught up with orthodox impressions and was too seasoned and experienced to be racial. He is described in elevated tones, and exalted as a spiritually and mentally aware individual especially due to his association with education. He is the one associated with the real India, not only by his profession as a Principal of the college but also by his preferences. In fact, is it is him who helps Adela's wish to meet Indians come true. At the bridge party, he is described as the one who almost blends with the Indians, not caring to separate himself. A disruptive force and a man of ideas, all that makes Mr. Fielding liberal is what widens the gulf between him and his people ("...he always got on with Englishman in England, all his best friends were English, so why it not the same out here?").

"He had discovered that it is possible to keep in with Indians and Englishmen, but that he who would also keep in with Englishwomen must drop the Indians." This is another aspect of Mr. Fielding that kept him aloof from the English; while the men tolerated him, the wives did not consider him a sahib, because he "never advised one about dogs or horses, or dined, or paid his midday calls...'. Fielding's relationships with (English)woman this way appears to be doomed from the start. It seems inevitable that Fielding can only have an Aziz-like figure in his life and connect with him with such familiarity. Fielding's relationship with Aziz is unconventional, and hasty. It places them in the context of the colonizer and subject, but also in that of two similar entities whose conventional relationships have ended or let them down and who are looking for connection. Aziz's relationship with Fielding is, therefore, the biggest sign of his liberality.