Abstract
This thesis seeks to explore the role of cultural imperialism in E.M. Forster s 1924 novel A Passage to India and the reasons that lead to the failure of intercultural communication between the coloniser and the colonised. The thesis takes a context-oriented approach to the topic, drawing on the actual historical, social and political circumstances of the British Raj. Looking into the challenges that the British encountered during colonial expansion, the thesis aims to show the extent to which Forster s work has been influenced by the current affairs of his time. Keeping in mind the author s anticolonial views, it seems appropriate to argue that E.M. Forster s A Passage to India is predominantly occupied with unearthing the gross imbalance of power in the Indian colony, as well as the ensuing repercussions on intercultural relations. Thus, in this thesis, the focus will be on the contrast between the British and the Indian communities. It will examine the fundamental difference between the East and the West, namely the spirituality of the East as opposed to the realism of the West, and the way these two worldviews are represented in the novel. As spirituality and realism in various forms are shown to be embedded throughout the novel, especially in matters of emotionality and types of knowledge, the conclusion of this thesis will suggest that these contribute to the failure of amiable colonial relations.