COMPARE and CONTRAST BETWEEN TWO CHARACTERS Of "A PASSAGE TO INDIA"

 

BRIEF INTRODUCTION:

‘A Passage to India’ is considered to be one of the flagship works of ‘Edward Morgan Forster’. The rationale of writing this novel is to explore and expose that ravages of imperialism as well as the typical psychology of the colonizers. This novel serves to be a detailed account of the strained relations among the colonizers and colonized.

SIGNFICANCE OF CHARACTERS:

In every literary work character serves as the mouth piece of author. The author exposes the thematic as well as abstract patterns through his characters.

The novel ‘A Passage to India’ is a combination of different characters having unique traits.

CYRIL FIELDING:

We all know that the role of Cyril Fielding is very much significant in the novel. He has a modern frame of mind with an amiable and sympathetic heart. Moreover being a principal of the government college in Chandra pore he enjoys an influential status.

RONNY HEASLOP:

He was a staunch epitome of the imperialistic rule of Britishers in subcontinent. Mr. Ronny Heaslop was much concerned about his official engagements than anything else. He was very much loyal to his class and always looks down upon the locals. He was off the view that the locals are now at the periphery and Britishers are now at center.

Moreover Ronny Heaslop was a city magistrate of Chandrapore city and a son of Mrs. Moore.

REASON FOR CHOOSING THE CHARACTER:

Usually comparison and contrast are the two techniques that measured the worth and significance of a character.

 I have selected Ronny and Fielding for my analysis because of following reasons.

Ø  Both of them are from British ancestry.

Ø  Both of them are the representative of enforced Imperialism.

Ø  Both of them enjoy influential status in India.

Ø  The analysis of these two character will reveal two different frames of mind of same race .i.e. British

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST BETWEEN CYRIL FIELDING AND RONNY HEASLOP:

• WISDOM VS EMOTION:

Being a magistrate of the fictitious city of Chandrapore, it was the responsibility of Mr. Ronny to behave politely with natives and to be just. But Ronny was always excited by his emotional instincts which made him a true ‘GORA SAHIB’.

His anger upon hearing the news of his mother’s initial meeting with Dr. Aziz made him furious and perturbed.

“But Ronny was ruffled”

“I think it was impudence.” 

On the other hand the character of Cyril Fielding was very much wise and considerate. He was emotionally very much sound and wise. He was very much calculated in his actions and speeches. His reaction against the cold attitude of Mr. Aziz was based upon a broader vision of developing his relations.

“Aziz has a high opinion of you; he only did not speak because of his illness.”

“I quite understand, said Fielding.”

• ATHEISM

One of the striking resemblances between the two characters is that they are not inwardly very religious. Their views about life and religion are secular in nature. The following remark from Cyril Fielding sums up his religious preferences.

I don’t believe in God.”

Ronny Heaslop was also not deeply a religious figure.

“Religions are useless except for Christianity that has that has the only function to justify the English monarchy”

• COURAGEOUS VS REVENGEFUL:

It is a well acknowledge fact that Fielding was blessed with extra-ordinary courageous personality. During the proceedings of the trial of Aziz, he refuses to accept the version of Britishers. Instead he pledged the innocence of Doctor Aziz.

It is due to this fact we can say that he has possessed with some qualities of heroic figure. His conversation with the inspector Mr. Haq is an example of his courageous personality.

‘Hullo, some mistake, said Fielding at

Once taking charge of situation.

‘Sir they are my instructions. I know nothing

On what charge do you arrest him?

‘I am under instructions not to say.

‘Don’t answer me like that

Produce your warrant’.

In the entire scenario of Doctor Aziz, Ronny behaved like a true imperialist and does not pay heed to enquire the matter thoroughly. Moreover, he was inclined towards the revengeful mentality of his community. He was not willing to behave courageously in the episode of Mr. Aziz.

This shows that inwardly he is a weak person with no courage to stand with oppressed. His narrative was quite similar to that of Collector.

“Miss quested has been insulted in one of the marabar caves.”

• GOOD VS STAUNCH IMPERIALIST:

It was generally believed that Ronny Heaslop was very kind and noble. His stay in India changed his character.

“You never used to judge people like this at home." 

After spending some time in India he has become an epitome of cruel policies of imperialists.

He was a staunch supporter of ‘Gora Sahib’ ideology as far as his attitude with the natives is concerned. He wants to designate a place of periphery for the locals. He was convinced about the fact that the Indians were not trustworthy. It is due to this fact that he behaves in a very discriminative manner.

“I prefer my smoke at the club amongst my own sort."

• WHITE MAN’S BURDEN:

Like the other Englishmen Ronny Heaslop too had a firm belief in the doctrine of white man’s burden.

“White man’s burden is the heavenly mission upon the colonizers to civilize the natives.”

Throughout the novel we can see many instances where Mr. Ronny confessed this fact.

“Were out here, to do justice and keep the peace.”

“were not pleasant in India and we don’t intend to be pleasant .we have something more important to do.”

Moreover he was so much racist that he does not want Mrs. Moore and Miss Adela Quested to mix with native Indians.

“well…..I’m sun-dried bureaucrat, no doubt ; still I don’t like to see an English girl left smoking with two Indians.”

Although the imperialistic rule is not acceptable in any case, but the character of Mr. Fielding reflects the better image of colonizers. His attitude and outlook towards life is very much different from that of Ronny Heaslop. He was very much kind and sympathetic towards locals without any discrimination of caste, color and creed.

“He had no racial feeling-not because he was superior to his brother civilians, but because he  matured in a different atmosphere.” 

He owing to his humble and modest nature visits sick Doctor Aziz to strengthen his relations with local community.

“It is good of Mr. Fielding to condescend to visit our friend."

• AMIABLE VS SNOBBISH:

Mr. Fielding was the only Britishers that did not hate the person due to his/her ethnic background. He believes upon the dignity of human. He was considered to be an epitome of Amiable and just mentality of the English. All he hated is the hypocrisy and racial prejudice that had prevailed like an epidemic.

He always tries to be with the victim and not the cruel. During the incident of Adela and Aziz, his attitude was so amiable and supportive that it resulted in evoking a lot of criticism from his community.

“Good bye, my dear Fielding, and you actually are on our side against your own people.”

On the other hand Ronny Heaslop appears to be an extremely snobbish individual which is a follower of racist dogmas. His following remarks sums up the entire discussion.

“Ronny was in high spirit. The request struck him as comic and he called out to another passer by: Fielding how is one to see real India.” 

CRITICAL COMMENTS:

Upon deep and rigorous analysis of both the character we would conclude that Mr. Ronny appears to us as a flat character with no transformation in it. The attitude of Ronny remains the same throughout the novel. On the other hand the character of Mr. Cyril Fielding was considered to be an ideal one bearing the circumstances.