Compare the characters of Aziz and Fielding.
Ans. The characters of Aziz and Fielding are complex studies of
human behavior. Their characters point to the difficulties that men
of different races face in trying to understand one another. However,
they have several points of similarities as well as dissimilarities. As
for the similar features of their characters, both of them are patriotic,
friendly, impulsive, and affectionate. The differences in their
characters lie in their professions, religious beliefs, sentiment, mental
make-up, etc.
Both Aziz and Fielding are great patriots. Aziz is proud of being a
Muslim and he is also proud of being an Indian. He denounces the
contemptuous attitude of his boss, Major Callendar towards the
Indians. He has the same hatred for Ronny Heaslop, the city
Magistrate of Chandrapore. He declares that India would one day
emerge as an independent nation in spite of the English policy of
divide and rule. Fielding is also a true patriot because he is the real
cultural ambassador of his country. He represents the best of the
English way of life. The other Englishmen calls him unpatriotic
because of his free mixing with the Indian and because of his
sympathy for the Indians.
Aziz believes in friendship as Fielding does. In fact, both of them
are good friends. He maintains his friendship with the Muslims, as
well as the Hindus. He makes friends with Adela and Mrs. Moore. I-Ie
also takes part in the lively discussion about the possibility of
friendship between the Indians and the English. Fielding is also very
friendly. At the party arranged by the collector, he freely mixes with
the natives whereas other Englishmen are busy arranging tea for
their ladies. The party which Mr. Fielding arranges for his Indian and
English friends is more successful than one given by the collector.
Again both Fielding and Aziz are very affectionate. Fielding feels
that it is more important to conceive an idea than to produce a child.
He is always ready to help others and it does not matter to him
whether the person who seeks his help is a Muslim, a Hindu or a
Christian. Aziz is fond of his family. He does not attend the party
launched by the collector as that is the death anniversary of his wife
He loves his children very much and sends them a great part of his
salary every month.
Aziz is prone to act on impulse and so does Fielding. At Fielding’s
tea party Aziz condemns the Bhattacharya for breaking their
promise and invites Miss Adela Quested and Mrs. Moore to a picnic
in the Marabar Caves. On occasions, Fielding acts on impulse, no
doubt, but he is balanced in his views and temperament. He calls
Miss Adela a pig. He has no liking for her. He dislikes Rony Heaslop
who is very insensitive and callous to the good values of life.
There are many points of contrast between Aziz and Fielding.
Aziz is a true Muslim, beliefs in God, and frequently visit the
mosque for solace. Fielding, on the other hand, is an atheist though
he is a Christian. However, he believes in the universal brotherhood.
He believes Muslims, Hindus, and Christians to be the children of the
same God.
Aziz, sometimes, becomes nervous, while Fielding is always
courageous. After his arrest, Aziz weeps like a child and does not
know what to do. Fielding, on the other hand, comes out purified out
of the fire of ordeal. He meets McBryde and Turton to plead the case
of Aziz. At the club, to the annoyance of all, he fights for Aziz and
prefers to give up his membership of the club.
To conclude, Aziz the hero of the novel A Passage to India is
a realistic portrait of an Indian Muslim. As for Fielding, among$
at Chandrapore, he is the most reasonable, h
intelligent, sensibly sympathetic, and humanly co-operative.
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