After Miss Quested and Mrs Moore arrive at the station we are then quickly involved in the action of what these chapters are going to enlighten us with. As Fielding and Professor Godbole arrive late and the train begins to leave “He’s not to he’ll kill himself”. The remark is made by Mrs Moore when Fielding tries to jump onto the moving train, which is not a sensible idea. Her sensible attitude to the situation creates a sense that the trip will not be a success if she allows Fielding to do this. The fact that she holds herself responsible to stop the gentlemen in this situation shows how the relationship between Mrs Moore and Aziz may be growing. As she understands how much the trip truly means to him and that all he wishes is to do his best for them all.
We are then introduced to an elephant awaiting his guests to take them to the Marabar Caves which are still a long distance from the train station. This is described by “An elephant, waving her painted forehead at the morn! ‘Oh what a surprise!’ the ladies said politely”. This again contrast the effort put in by poor Aziz trying to do his absolute best for the ladies and there response is said “politely”. It enforces the point that there simply is no relationship developing between Aziz and his guests. If a person is truly surprised about an incident they would be described as over the moon or shocked not simply being polite about it. This truly suggests that there is no relationship between them; as they cannot even be appreciative about all the trouble Aziz must have gone to, to prepare this for them.
A factor which should also be taken into consideration when evaluating the situation, at the Marabar Caves is the fact that the heat was ever creeping up on all of the guests. This can be seen when “films of heat, radiated from the Kawa Dol precipices, increased the confusion”. The reason I feel this is a necessary quote to include is because it creates the sense of what is to come from Mrs Moore and Miss Quested. Not only does it create a sense of the place but it shows that we will find out that there will be confusion within Aziz’s guests and we should be warned of this. As this statement vastly effects the interaction and relationships which will be unravelled soon.
The next major incident which occurs whilst visiting the Marabar Caves is the drastic change of heart Mrs Moore has from a bad reaction to the caves. This is identified by “for she had nearly fainted in it”. This event seriously effects the development of the plot, as it means that Aziz and Miss Quested have to visit the rest of the caves alone. This incident also meant that Mrs Moore started to view a whole new perspective on life. As it made her incur a shock to her system and began her questioning about the point of life.
This idea is further shown when Mrs Moore then complains and feels that there is simply no point to her life. This is shown by “Everything exists, nothing has value”. By including this idea shows that Mrs Moore is in the throws of geriatric depression. The idea that Aziz has induced this behaviour from his trip to the Marabar Caves shows that the relationship between them must not be as significant as he makes out it to be. As if Aziz truly appreciated Mrs Moore he would understand that she is an elderly lady who could not possibly take on such a trip. Also as a result of this trip which has caused them all so much hassle for nothing, because they cannot sufficiently communicate, has meant that Mrs Moore is having the beginnings of a mental illness.
The relationship between Adela and Aziz is then established in the beginnings of chapter 15; it shows how Aziz will even lie to make himself sound better. This is described by “he felt it more artistic to have his wife alive for a moment”. This creates the sense that Aziz is uneasy with Adela as it makes the reader feel as if he should just come clean instead of surrounding himself in more lies. The reason that this whole trip was arranged was based on lies because he simply didn’t want them to visit his house. After all of the trouble he has suffered from arranging this surely he should simply admit to his wife’s death. It would make it easier for both parties and may unite the relationship between them both. The lying similarly to the heat gets Aziz in trouble as we are later to find out.
Similarly Adela makes the same mistake within her ignorance of other religions explains that she thought Aziz had more than one wife. This is described in Aziz’s thoughts by “ask an educated Indian Moslem how many wife’s he has – appalling, hideous!” Aziz is appalled by this comment made by Adela that he should be insulted by her ignorance. It creates the sense that there relationship is not developing because he answers simply to her and doesn’t give an honest opinion. The idea that this has been done creates tension which is building up between them, which later may effect Adela’s resolution to the incident in the Marabar Caves.
Aziz then finds out that Adela has abandoned him which makes him very disheartened and distressed at the same time as he wonders how the guests will react to the news. This is described by “he found the guide, alone, with his head on one side”. This statement creates a sense of suspense to the plot as it allows for questions to be asked to the reader as to what exactly has happened to Adela. Firstly it shows that Adela on the surface does not care for Aziz’s politeness and kindness he has shown by simply leaving. This then questions what exactly has happened because all of the time Aziz had not been with her so why had she disappeared. So it concludes the idea that something terrible has happened.
The lying seen previously by Aziz appears again to justify Miss Quested’s disappearance as he again more than anything wishes to impress his guests. This is identified by “still guests must do as they wish, or they become prisoners”. Aziz is simply trying to excuse her so he can show that he has been in control, but little does he no that this kind of lying will harm his defence when being questioned later on. Perhaps if Aziz had not tainted his whole trip with lies it may have changed the course of events and not ruined his reputation.
We are then aware of exactly why Miss Quested has disappeared as Aziz is then wrongly arrested. This is shown by “Dr Aziz, it is my painful duty to arrest you”. This touching moment is upsetting, because as a reader we can see that Aziz has done no harm and only wanted to do his utter most for his guests. Now he is being locked away not knowing exactly why but all he has discovered is that his reputation is ruined and that his children are going to be terribly disappointed. From this as a reader we are immediately aware as to what has caused Aziz to be arrested it has to be due to the disappearance of Miss Quested. However, we are then kept in suspense as to what Aziz is meant to have done so it also creates a cliff-hanger in this way.
To draw this account to a close it can be fairly said that Aziz did not successfully create a significant relationship between himself and his guests. I consider this is due to Aziz’s consistent lying, as no true relationship between groups of people can be sufficiently made unless there is trust. Aziz is portrayed in such a way that he edgy and unsure of people so this also heightens the idea that no relationship was developed. Another factor which influenced my opinion was the way in which Aziz was constantly trying to impress the ladies and his other guests. Had he simply made the picnic a simpler affair there may have been time to talk and be honest with each other instead of arranging activities?
