Mrs. Moore is "the Christian one" in the story. She speaks often of God, love, unity, and loving one's neighbor. This is important to note because she sincerely believes in these things and exemplifies them throughout the story. She, unlike most, enjoys the company of the Indians and is interested in their culture, despite her being English. However, her Christianity continues to tie her closely with the British which he realizes is not always a good thing. She slowly begins to question her religion as the story goes on. The character (I assume symbolically) named "Godbole" mirrors her doubt in his songs. Questioning her religious beliefs also keeps her tied to the reader as this is a highly relatable struggle that occurs in all societies.
Mrs. Moore also has a very personal moment with a wasp. In general, wasps are not pleasant creatures. Most people either avoid them or try to kill them. Mrs Moore, however, comforts and speaks with the bug. Let's think of the wasp as the Indians. In the mind of the British, Indians are the lowest of the low. They have nothing to offer except annoyances and inconveniences. Like the wasp, people either avoid them or try to do away with them. Mrs. Moore is kind to the wasp just as she is kind to the Indians. This is significant to note as the wasp will most likely continue to represent the Indian people.
I also think the wasp is very significant in "A Passage to India." Mrs. Moore's peaceful regard to the wasp signifies her openness to the people of India. This is ironic because the wasp is considered the lowest of the low to the Hindu, and the fact Mrs. Moore is kind to the wasp is very significant. This shows that according to Mrs. Moore, it is possible for the people of India and England to develop a peace with one another.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see if it is Mrs. Moore's personality that causes her to be more open-minded to the native Indians than other British people. You would think that her religion would make her more accepting of others but here Forester present religion as simply another difference and way that the British mark their "superiority" to the people in India. This makes Mrs. Moore question her religion. It is sad that this is the effect of Christianity. It is Mrs. Moore's personality that makes her kind to the wasps, and not her religion. Religion seems simply like another barrier between the people of India and the people from England.
ReplyDeleteLovely post! Your ideas are very significant to not just Mrs. Moore, but to the entire novel. The whole notion of the colonized vs. the colonizer and their relations with one another. I particular like Mrs. Moore's character. She is sincere and admires that which many may view as a nuisance! The wasp along with many other animals and insects throught the novel are a representation of the lowest low.
ReplyDeleteStephanie I like your views on religion as a "barrier between the people of Indian and the people from england!" Very interesting.....