Mrs. Moore’s spirituality lead many people to admire her, her thoughts about religion, life and its essence, mixed along with the fragility of old age and a sympathetic and big heart simply put readers in awe. Resulting into her earning an almost mystical presence which, at first starts as a literal one and progresses into a spiritual presence after she leaves to go back to England and passes away on the journey back. Her most prominent line to prove her depth, wisdom and open mindedness comes along as she admires a plain wasp that bothers others, stating:
Because India is a part of the Earth, and God has put us on the earth to be pleasant to each other. God …is…love (1.5.97)
Furthermore, Forster created Mrs. Moore into a Christian character as one would expect. Though even with her deep faith and connection with religion, her fragility is seen throughout her trip to the Marbar caves in which she reminds us that even she too, is a human being with doubts and some hesitance with faith and the belief of God, even though she’s old now and like many elderly, linking themselves to religion as they come closer to their graves. Her thoughts are quite highlighted in the following quote:
Religion appeared, poor little talkative Christianity, and [Mrs. Moore] knew that all its divine words from "Let there be Light" to "It is finished" only amounted to "boum." (2.14.99)
Throughout the book, many would come to respect and admire Mrs. Moore just as much as many of the Indians did, maybe not to the extent of calling “Esmiss Moore” like one of their goddesses, yet close enough to make her a symbol of how truth, love and broadmindedness are only noticed for how important they are after the misdeeds have been done. Her particular fragility is what gives that away, and also her death on board the ship.
Moving along to the least admirable character, Ronny Heaslop would take this certain title as his character not only appears foul from the scene of his introduction, but also his characteristics never change, moreover, they worsen.
Ronny’s harsh words throughout the novel make it evident that his respect only lies with his superiors and the likes of them; the Callenders, Turtons and such couples and people. His thoughts and ideas were created to be reflective of what Forster saw as the typical British attitude towards the Indians.
We're out here to do justice and keep the peace (1.5.88)
His above statement indicates his personal thoughts that in turn, are exactly the thoughts of people like the Turtons and Callenders ; thinking that applying the British law system onto the disheveled and muddled India might bring them into “order” that seemingly only Englishmen can create for the country to prosper and bring it and its resources into its full potential.
Another point which makes Ronny a very lamentable character is his adjustment to what his superiors say about the natives and the country, twisting his own mind and opinions to suit their particular way of thinking. One particular statement is how Ronny comments of people such as Dr. Aziz and his friend Humaidallah. Both educated Indians who seemingly deserve the respect that should be given to them as people of knowledge, yet Ronny simply states a cliché example of what his superiours would have said.
It's the educated native's latest dodge …there's always something behind every remark he makes, always something, and if nothing else he's trying to increase his izzat—in plain Anglo-Saxon, to score. Of course there are exceptions. (1.3.86)
Only later on does he say there are some exceptions with a moment of pause, yet it cannot be ignored how in fact, Englishmen of that time saw them that way when they go to a Colonized India.
Over all, Ronny’s character and attitude towards the natives and his imitation of his fellow British gentlemen creates him into what any reader would think that he is only after his own personal gain, even throughout the book, the reader would notice that even with Adela’s trial, his personal interests were not the safety of his wife-to-be, or for the progress of law and justice in India, but only to make his position higher and more noticeable to his higher-ups.
