Nothing in India is identifiable, as a sense of place is neither stable nor unconstructed
- UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Kerrie P. Holian (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
- Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
- Advisor
- John Walker
Abstract: The naming of place is a way of naming our own belonging or identity.
Understanding place begins with identifying the person, or group of persons, who name
the space, whether it be the colonizer or the colonized. To name a space is to understand
it and control it. Place, as belonging, is dependent upon self-definition. Self-definition
is dependent upon the binary construction of Self/Other, “us” versus “them.” Each
person’s binary construction contributes to one’s sense of place. Once the binaries are
identified, senses of place are set in motion.
In examining E. M. Forster’s A Passage to India we see the British colonial, Miss
Adela Quested, come to India in search of the mystical, exotic, and “real” Indian. The
question is whether India as a “place” can truly be identified and labeled. Forster has
detailed various people’s ideas of place throughout his novel, and, depending upon who
is speaking in the narrative, the sense of place changes. The man-made construction of
binaries influences one’s sense of place. Adela’s presumption that Dr. Aziz is an
“authentic” Indian invokes her Self/Other constructed binary as she defines both “self”
and place. Whether Adela is asking questions about India or the exact nature of the
Marabar Caves, there is no clear-cut answer available. India is an ever-changing place in
constant motion. The difficulties of sustaining an agreed upon sense of place is
problematic not only with colonizer and colonized but is also characteristic of India itself.
Nothing in India is identifiable, as a sense of place is neither stable nor unconstructed
PDF (Portable Document Format)
189 KB
Created on 1/1/2009
Views: 7281
Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- Forster E. M. (Edward Morgan) 1879-1970. A passage to India.--Criticism and interpretation
- Subjects
- Forster, E. M. (Edward Morgan), 1879-1970. A passage to India. -- Criticism and interpretation
Title | Location & Link | Type of Relationship |
Title page, table of contents, abstract | http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncw/f/holiank2004-1.pdf | The described resource includes the related resource either physically or logically. |
Conclusion | http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncw/f/holiank2004-3.pdf | The described resource includes the related resource either physically or logically. |
Works Cited | http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncw/f/holiank2004-4.pdf | The described resource includes the related resource either physically or logically. |