A Passage to India. How successful do you think the novel is in its critique of "Orientalist" stereotypes? Do you think the novel still clings to some of these racial stereotypes when it depicts Indian characters?

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How successful do you think the novel is in its critique of "Orientalist" stereotypes? Do you think the novel still clings to some of these racial stereotypes when it depicts Indian characters?

The critique of the stereotypes in “A Passage to India” is shown to be clearly successful in characters’ appearances, personalities, and attitudes with each other, be it concerning different races or religion. The author brings the common stereotypes but with an underlining of why most of these stereotypes are usually misjudged. Adding the commonsensical idea that even with these stereotypes applied on Indians, there are others who are against the “norm”. However, one would notice even with such sympathy, Forster also seems to cling to a few stereotypical characteristics.

Forster’s description within the novel brings out more than a successful critique of stereotypes within these two cultures. His main character, Dr. Aziz is represented greatly within the first few chapters of his introduction. The author not only represents how the majority of the Muslim Indian population’s characteristics and appearance in just one person, but in addition, he has woven into these simple features the emotions and mentality too. One would notice that suggestion immediately through a particular description of Dr. Aziz.

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“Rather small, with a little mustache and quick eyes.”

This representation would quickly strike the reader, not only does it have the stereotypical image of the “Indian” man, but the description of the eyes also indicate something much more than what is skin deep. Forster had cleverly represented hostility and awareness that these Indians are feeling because of the British occupation of their homes and lands, with many beliefs by the British –even the author himself- thinking that this country is simply a muddle of culture that needs to be attended and “raised” by the westerners.

An interesting twist ...

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