Dr. Aziz
A young Muslim Indian Physician who works at the British hospital in Chandrapore. He relies
heavily on intuition over logic, and he is more emotional than his best friend,
Fielding. He makes friends easily and seems quite garrulous at times. His chief
drawback is an inability to view a situation without emotion, which Forster
suggests is a typical Indian difficulty. Despite being the protagonist of the
novel Aziz does have some vulgar notion about women's physicality. Aziz seem to
possess a profound love for his late wife but forgets her due to his
overshadowing impulsiveness.
Cyril Fielding
The 45-year-old, unmarried British
headmaster of the small government-run college for Indians. Fielding's logical
Western mind cannot comprehend the muddle (or mystery) of India, but he is
highly tolerant and respectful toward Indians. He befriends Dr. Aziz, but
cultural and racial differences, and personal misunderstandings, separate them.
Adela Quested
A young British schoolmistress who is visiting India with
the vague intention of marrying Ronny Heaslop. Intelligent, brave, honest, but
slightly prudish, she is what Fielding calls a "prig." She arrives
with the intention of seeing the real India. But after a frightening trip to
the Marabar Caves, she falsely accuses Aziz of sexually assaulting her.
Mrs. Moore
The elderly, thoughtful mother of Ronny Heaslop. She is
visiting Chandrapore to oversee her son's engagement to Adela Quested. She
respects Indians and their customs, and the Indians in the novel appreciate her
more than they do any other Briton. After undergoing an experience similar to
Adela's, she becomes apathetic and bitter.
Ronny Heaslop
The British city magistrate of Chandrapore. Though not a bad
man, he shares his Anglo-Indian colleagues' racist view of Indians. He breaks off his
engagement to Adela after she retracts her accusation against Aziz. He
considers it a betrayal of their race.
Professor Narayan Godbole
An elderly, courteous, contemplative Brahmin
who views the world with equanimity. He remains totally aloof from the novel's
conflicts.
Mr. Turton
The British city collector of Chandrapore. He does not hate
Indians, for that would be to negate his life's work. Nevertheless, he is
fiercely loyal to his race, reviles less bigoted people like Fielding, and
regards natives with thinly veiled contempt.
Mrs. Turton
Mr. Turton's wife. Openly racist, snobbish, and rude toward
Indians and those Anglo-Indians who are different, she screams at Adela in the
courtroom when the latter retracts her accusation against Aziz.
Maj. Callendar
The British head doctor and Aziz's superior at the hospital.
He is more openly racist than any other male character. Rumors circulate among
Indians that Callendar actually tortured an injured Indian by putting pepper
instead of antiseptic on his wounds.
Mr. McBryde
The British superintendent of police in Chandrapore. Like
Mr. Turton, he considers dark-skinned races inferior to light-skinned ones.
During Aziz's trial, he publicly asserts that it is a scientific fact that dark
men lust after white women. Nevertheless, he is more tolerant of Indians than
most Britons, and he is friendly with Fielding.
Miss Derek
An Englishwoman employed by a Hindu royal family.
She frequently borrows their car—and does not trouble to ask their permission
or return it in time. She is too boisterous and easygoing for most of her
compatriots' tastes. She has an affair with McBryde.
Nawab Bahadur
The chief Indian gentleman in Chandrapore, a Muslim. Wealthy
(he owns a car) and generous, he is loyal to the British (he lends his car to
Ronny Heaslop). But after the trial, he gives up his title of
"nawab," which the British bestowed on him, in favor of plain
"Mr. Zulfiqar."
Hamidullah
Aziz's uncle and friend. Educated in law at Cambridge University, he declares at the beginning of the novel that it is
easier to be friends with an Englishman in England than in India. Aziz comes to
agree with him.
Amritrao
A prominent Indian lawyer from Calcutta,
called in to defend Aziz. He is known for his strong anti-British sentiment. He
takes the case for political reasons and becomes disgusted when the case
evaporates in court.
Mahmoud Ali
Dr. Panna Lal
Ralph Moore
A timid, sensitive and discerning youth, the second son of
Mrs. Moore.
Stella Moore
Mrs. Moore's daughter and Fielding's beautiful younger wife.
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