Book Description
E.M. Forster's Modernism is the first detailed and comprehensive investigation into Forster's relationship to Modernism. A fresh and original study, it situates Forster's fiction within a range of early 20th Century contexts: socio-political, generic and aesthetic. It advances the argument that Forster's fiction embodies an important strand within modernism and in doing so makes the case for a new definition and interpretation of 'modernism'. ... Read more

Book Description
Forster's social critique of British colonial occupation in India urges tolerance while it explores the clash of Eastern and Western culture in the 1920s.

The title, E.M. Forester's A Passage to India, part of Chelsea House Publishers' Modern Critical Interpretations series, presents the most important 20th-century criticism on E.M. Forester's A Passage to India through extracts of critical essays by well-known literary critics.This collection of criticism also features a short biography on E.M. Forester, a chronology of the author's life, and an introductory essay written by Harold Bloom, Sterling Professor of the Humanities, Yale University. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The nature of duality
E.M. Forster appeals to many because of his early novels, "Where Angels Fear to Tread", "A Room with a View", and "Howard's End", the last which is included in this book.Theyseem like updated Austen novels, neat and well-structured, albeit moresurprising, but still in all appearances novelsdealing with socialmanners.However, "Howard's End" and "A Passage toIndia" deal with much more substantial themes of industrialization andimperialism as well as Forster's overarching idea of connection betweenpeoples and ideologies.

"Howard's End" sets up the oppositionbetween the cultured Schlegels and the industrious Wilcoxes. Simplistically, each family represents the division within society at thetime, whether to embrace the outward form of change in motor cars andencroaching tenements or to hold onto the land and the responsibility andfeelings contained within it.Forster also makes use of associations andsymbols to further the reader's understanding of a greater meaning, such asthe teutonic assocation with the Schlegels or the description of Mrs.Bast's photograph to suggest her occupation.Still, the theme ofconnection found in its famous epigraph "Only connect... (the prose tothe passion)" is woven well throughout and sometimes surprisinglyso.

"A Passage..." is Forster's greatest work, and rightfullyso because in it he is most ambitious, adding elements of imperialism andreligion to that of relationships between people.While the novel is not apolitical novel per se, it justifies the interpretation through its mostlysympathetic treatment of the Indians and the absurdity of Britishbureacracy in a culture beyond its understanding.I assert that this isone of Forster's more pessimistic novels with an appropriate ending, but mycolleagues assert the opposite, that it makes claims to the hope ofconnection.I leave it to you to conclude for yourself.Forster alsogives a good foretaste of the post-modernist technique, with his attempt toshow that the "many-headed monster" of India or any culturecannot be adequately treated by a single perspective. ... Read more

Amazon.com
E. M. Forster's classic novel about social conflict between the British and Indians in colonial India. The story revolves around Dr. Azziz, a young, educated Indian who is unjustly accused of attacking a British woman. With the help of an enlightened Britisher, he struggles to defend himself against a system bent on prejudice. Drawing upon his extensive experience in the country, Forster illustrates that the culture and personal character of East Indians is much more complex than the British cared to give credit, and many of the conflicts of the period arose out of the Englishman's inability, or unwillingness, to see beneath the surface. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

A Cook's Tour by Trilling of E.M. Forster
E.M. FORSTER by Lionel Trilling

When an eminent American scholar and critic takes as subject for a literary analysis a notable English author a reader can expect a tasty feast for the mind.Trilling does notdisappoint.

This brief but erudite book is now over half a century old. It still remains an admirable introduction to E.M. Forster whose fivenovels have become an esteemed part of the western cannon.

"InAmerica Forster has never established a great reputation."Trilling'scomment implies the reason for his study of Forster.And indeed, it isthis work that is credited with correcting that oversight.

LionelTrilling's evaluation meets the criteria for excellent criticism.It isimpartial in that although overall it praises, it notes faults."Thequaint, the facetious and the chatty sink his literary criticism below itsproper level . . . they even touch, though they never actually harm, thefive novels . . . "The second criteria, the enlightenment ofpotential readers as to an author's intentions and techniques, is likewiseamply met.All of Forster's novels are discussed.Many illuminatinginsights are provided.Forster's short stories are summarily treated. Trilling evidently did not consider short fiction Forster's forte.Lastly,a critic should provide in praise as well as admonition comments that mightassist authors to create better works.In this Trilling is at adisadvantage since Forster after the publication of PASSAGE TO INDIA in1924 completely forsook novel writing.Too bad.Trilling is good medicinefor an author.

A caution: the book is aimed at an academic audience. Allusions are made to various other significant authors as in "Forsteris not taken in by his Gino as Santayana is by his analogous Mario . . ."Georges Santayana a prominent American philosopher wrote only onenovel THE LAST PURITAN in which Mario is a key character.A college degreeis not necessarily needed to follow Trilling's discussion.One ought tohave, however, a nodding acquaintance with the peaks that comprise westernliterature's breadth and length. ... Read more