Mrs.
Moore
CHARACTERS MRS. MOORE
As a character, Mrs. Moore serves a double function in A Passage to India, operating on two
different planes. She
is initially a literal character, but as the novel progresses she becomes more a symbolic presence. On
the literal level, Mrs. Moore is a good-hearted, religious, elderly woman with mystical leanings. The
initial days of her visit to India are successful, as she connects with India and Indians on an intuitive
level. Whereas Adela is overly cerebral, Mrs. Moore relies successfully on her heart to make
connections during her visit. Furthermore, on the literal level, Mrs. Moore’s character has human
limitations: her experience at Marabar renders her apathetic and even somewhat mean, to the
degree that she simply leaves India without bothering to testify to Aziz’s innocence or to oversee
Ronny and Adela’s wedding.
After her departure, however, Mrs. Moore exists largely on a symbolic level. Though she herself has
human flaws, she comes to symbolize an ideally spiritual and race-blind openness that Forster sees
as a solution to the problems in India. Mrs. Moore’s name becomes closely associated with
Hinduism, especially the Hindu tenet of the oneness and unity of all living things. This symbolic side
to Mrs. Moore might even make her the heroine of the novel, the only English person able to closely
connect with the Hindu vision of unity. Nonetheless, Mrs. Moore’s literal actions—her sudden
abandonment of India—make her less than heroic.
Adela Quested
Adela Quested arrives in India with the intention of marrying Ronny Heaslop, but changes her mind
several times and eventually realizes that she does not love him and cannot marry him. She is a
woman of conflicting character traits: although an intellectual, she is short-sighted. Although she
foolishly accuses Dr. Aziz of assaulting her in the Marabar Caves, she finds the courage to withdraw
the charge. She also suffers from hallucinations that are symptomatic of her somewhat unstable
personality. However, Forster finally reveals her to be a woman of character and decency who
accepts the difficulties she suffers.
Mrs. Moore
An elderly woman with three children, Mrs. Moore visits India with Adela Quested to see her son,
Ronny Heaslop. Mrs. Moore is the paragon of Christian decency and kindness, but she suffers from
anxiety concerning her own mortality. During the expedition to the Marabar Caves her confidence in
the order of the universe is shaken by an echo that she hears in one of the caves. Afterwards, Mrs.
Moore becomes sullen and depressed. When Ronny suspects that she will aid Aziz in his defense, he
arranges for Mrs. Moore to leave India. On the journey home, she dies from heat exhaustion.
Character Analysis Adela Quested
Adela Quested's name may not have significance, but it suggests the "Questioner." This is the role, at
any rate, that Forster assigns to her.
She is presented as a plain young woman whose best qualities are her innate honesty and a kind of
courageous decency. Her approach to life is completely intellectual. She is sensible, but not
sensitive. She serves as an antithesis to Mrs. Moore, who is ruled by emotional intuition. This
difference in personality affects their understanding of each other, and of others.
Adela's passionless disposition makes her unfit for marriage and her frank objectivity helps her to
realize it. It is this guileless attitude that wins Fielding's grudging admiration.
Her response to India is one of reason, but since India, with its highly complex problems, cannot be
approached through the intellect alone, Adela can never comprehend it. However, she is appalled at
the smug and snobbish ways of the British in India.
The reader may find himself sympathetic with Adela and at the same time smile agreement with Aziz
at his unkind, but comic, remarks about her; her cold honesty is admirable but not endearing.
Her lack of sensitivity is pointed up when Fielding has to suggest that perhaps she should apologize
to Aziz. She is willing to make amends, but she does not have the compassion to do it without being
told. Her remorse is of the head, not the heart; her primary feeling is one of guilt for having been the
cause of so much trouble to everyone.
Character Analysis Mrs. Moore
Mrs. Moore, endowed by nature with an understanding heart, is steeped in Christian
tradition. Apparently it has served her well in England. In India, where the problems are
more complex, she finds it inadequate. And although her innate sympathy with many of the
tenets of Hinduism is indicated — her appreciation of all of God's creation, for example —
that religion is also inadequate for her: While Professor Godbole withdraws peacefully into
himself from human turmoil, Mrs. Moore's own withdrawal is far from peaceful. Therefore
she may be somewhat disappointing to the reader; she brings to India everything that is
needed — kindness and the "understanding heart" — but she turns morose and peevish.
She refuses to become involved in helping Adela or Aziz in their time of need. She has,
however, imparted her understanding nature to her younger children and has left an
indelible mark upon Aziz; and, at the trial, it is her chanted name that helps to clarify Adela's
mind.
Mrs. Moore
Character Analysis
An elderly Englishwoman who is Ronny, Ralph, and Stella’s mother. She travels to India with
Adela and is intrigued by the country. Mrs. Moore meets Aziz and feels an instant connection,
and they become friends. Mrs. Moore is almost a mystical figure, associated with Hinduism and
spirituality. She is disturbed by the echoes in the Marabar Caves, and later grows irritable,
depressed, and apathetic about all life. She goes back to England early but dies on the journey.
Her memory is so beloved that she is turned into a sort of Hindu demi-god, “Esmiss Esmoor,” by
some of the Indians in Chandrapore.
Mrs. Moore Quotes in A Passage to India
The A Passage to India quotes below are all either spoken by Mrs. Moore or refer to Mrs. Moore.
For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is
indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one: ). Note: all page numbers and citation info for
the quotes below refer to the Harcourt Brace Jovanovich edition of A Passage to India published
in 1984.
Part 1, Chapter 2 Quotes
“You understand me, you know what others feel. Oh, if others resembled you!”
Rather surprised, she replied: “I don’t think I understand people very well. I only know whether I
like or dislike them.”
“Then you are an Oriental.”
Adela Quested
Character Analysis
A young, honest Englishwoman who comes to India to decide whether or not to marry Ronny.
Adela is intrigued by India and desires to see the “real” India and befriend the locals. Later she
has a horrifying experience at the Marabar Caves and accuses Aziz of assaulting her. However, at
the trial she goes against her peers’ influence and admits that she was mistaken. She returns to
England soon afterward.
Adela Quested Quotes in A Passage to India
The A Passage to India quotes below are all either spoken by Adela Quested or refer to Adela
Quested. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each
theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one: ). Note: all page numbers and citation
info for the quotes below refer to the Harcourt Brace Jovanovich edition of A Passage to India
published in 1984.
Part 1, Chapter 5 Quotes
“You’re superior to them, anyway. Don’t forget that. You’re superior to every one in India
except one or two of the Ranis, and they’re on an equality.”
