E.M. Forster's Character Theory And His Characters In A Passage To India

E. M. Forster (1879-1970), is a renowned English novelist and novel theorist in the early twentieth century. He creates large number of striking characters in his insightful and artistic way. Forster has great achievements in literary theory too. His theory book Aspects of the Novel influences the following novel theory prominently. His discussion on characters has proved most valuable. By summing up preceding conceptions, Forster puts forward two important terms,"flat characters"and"round characters."Firstly, this thesis gives a general discussion on the origins and influence of Forster's character theory in the theoretical framework of western character theory. It traces back the origins of flat and round characters in Greek and Hebraic classics, then explores its influence on the later critics and writers. This thesis also discusses Forster's favor of round characters, which is worthy our attention.Secondly, this thesis explores the application of his character theory in his novel. According to Forster's distinction of flat and round characters, this thesis divides the characters of A Passage to India into two types in order to analyze the novel. The colonial officers and their wives are flat characters; Indian doctor Aziz and the newcomer Mrs Moore represent round characters. This thesis explores the attitude of Forster beneath the characterization. Forster portrays the colonial officers and their wives as flat characters in order to emphasize their arrogance and snobbery, which symbolizes colonialism. By such characterization Forster puts forward the recurring theme of exploring"undergrown hearts"in his other novels. Meanwhile, Forster creates Aziz as a complex and changeable person who becomes the embodiment of Forster's notion of the"muddle"of India. Being an important character in plot, Mrs Moore waning from beginning to end, is portrayed convincingly.The contrast and comparison of flat and round characters are main features of A Passage to India. There is a great gap between Forster's neglect of flat characters in his theory and the achievement of flat characters in this novel. This thesis asserts the great achievement of flat characters and their non-comic function. Because of the complement of flat and round character, A Passage to India becomes a great novel expressing the truth of life.