Colonial Power and Cultural Misrepresentation in A Passage to India: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

Forster's A Passage to India is a famous novel from the early 20th century that explores British-Indian relations during colonial rule. This study examines how the novel presents Indian identity and culture. Although many scholars have studied the novel, little research has focused on whether it reinforces or challenges cultural stereotypes. This study aims to analyze how Forster portrays Indian culture and colonial power. It uses Edward Said’s Orientalism (1978) to analyze how the novel represents Indian culture through colonial stereotypes and the "Othering" of Indians. Fairclough’s Three-Dimensional CDA Model (1995) is utilized to study the novel’s language, narrative techniques, and social context to uncover hidden colonial ideologies. The research focuses on selected parts of the novel, especially interactions between British and Indian characters. The findings show that the novel often presents Indian culture as chaotic, exotic, and inferior to British culture. However, some parts of the novel also challenge these stereotypes, showing moments of resistance from Indian characters. This creates a mix of both supporting and criticizing colonial ideas. The study highlights how literature can both reinforce and challenge cultural power. By studying A Passage to India, this research helps us understand how colonial literature shapes ideas about culture and identity.