A Passage to India- Temple

Having finished E.M. Forester’s A Passage to India, I can see that the names of each section play into the entirety of the story—mosque, caves, and temple. In temple, we see the resolution of the novel as Aziz learns to forgive Adela and Fielding. Temple talks a lot about the Hindu religion in Mau, and though Aziz still considers himself a Muslim, it appears that the Hindu values (such as merriment, unity, and love) have found their way into his life—“I want to do kind actions all round and wipe out the wretched business of the Marabar for ever” (pg. 356).

Aziz mentions (toward the end of the novel) the cycle his life has taken, “Mosque, caves, mosque, caves. And here he was starting again,” as he starts to help and befriend the son of Mrs. Moore (pg. 349). I think by the end of the book Aziz comes to the realization that he cannot be friends with Fielding in an India occupied by the British. Only once the British have left, and India is out of their control, can he be friends with Fielding. It is like the restarting of a cycle along with the new realization that life cannot continue this way, and that change must happen. The ending is bitter-sweet, and left me wondering what the future holds for Aziz and Fielding. Will their paths cross again? Or, are they forever to be separated by cultural barriers?  

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