Summary: Chapter IX
Three days after the tea party, Aziz falls slightly ill.
Exaggerating his illness, he remains in bed and contemplates a brief
trip to a brothel in Calcutta to lift his spirits. Aziz takes a
rather clinical view of his occasional need for women. Aziz knows
that Major Callendar and others would be scandalized by his plans
to visit the brothel. Nonetheless, Aziz does not mind breaking social
codes—he simply tries not to get caught. Aziz suddenly notices that
flies cover the inside of his room, so he summons his servant, Hassan,
to dispose of them. Hassan is inattentive.
Hamidullah, Syed Mohammed, Haq, and Syed Mohammed’s young
nephew, Rafi, all crowd into Aziz’s room to inquire about his health.
Rafi gossips that Professor Godbole has also fallen ill. The visitors
briefly toss around a suspicion that Mr. Fielding poisoned the men
at his tea. Syed Mohammed and Haq discuss how all disease comes
from Hindus. Aziz recites an irrelevant poem by an Urdu poet. Though
not all of the men comprehend poetry, they are happily silent and
for a moment feel that India is one. Hamidullah silently contemplates
the nationalist meeting he must attend later in the day, which will
gather Indians from many different sects. Hamidullah sadly considers
that the group never achieves anything constructive and that the
meetings are only peaceful when someone is denouncing the English.
The visitors announce their intent to leave, but they
remain seated. Dr. Panna Lal arrives, under Major Callendar’s orders,
to check on Aziz. Dr. Lal immediately realizes that Aziz is not
very ill, but he decides to cover for Aziz anyway, in hopes that
Aziz will return the favor one day. After some prodding, Dr. Lal
reluctantly reports that Professor Godbole’s condition is not serious,
which prompts the men to scold Rafi for spreading rumors. Dr. Lal’s
troublesome driver, Ram Chand, insults Rafi’s uncle, Syed Mohammed, and
a loud argument breaks out.
At this moment, Fielding walks into the room. Aziz would
normally be humiliated at Fielding’s seeing his poor, dirty home,
but Aziz is distracted. Concerned about showing hospitality to Rafi, Aziz
murmurs to the boy and tries to make him comfortable again after
his scolding. Meanwhile, the men begin to question Fielding about
his belief in God, the declining morality of the West, and what he
thinks about England’s position in India. Fielding enjoys being candid
with the men. He explains that he is not certain that England is
justified in holding India and that he is in India personally to
hold a job. The men are shocked by the plainness of Fielding’s honesty. Fielding,
feeling disappointed by his first visit to Aziz, leads the other
men out of Aziz’s sickroom.
Summary: Chapter X
Fielding and the others emerge from Aziz’s home and feel
oppressed by the weather and the general atmosphere outside. Several
animals nearby make noises—the inarticulate animal world seems always more
present in India than in England. The other men mount their carriages
and go home, rather than back to work. All over India, people retreat
inside as the hot season approaches.
Summary: Chapter XI
Fielding stands on the porch of Aziz’s house, but no servant
brings his horse, for Aziz has secretly ordered the servants not
to. Aziz calls Fielding back inside. Though Aziz self-pityingly
draws Fielding’s attention to the shabbiness of his home, Fielding
is matter-of-fact in response. Aziz directs Fielding to a photograph
that he keeps in a drawer, which is of his late wife. Flattered,
Fielding thanks Aziz for the honor of seeing the picture. Aziz tells
Fielding he likes him because he values men acting as brothers.
They agree that the English government has tried to improve India
through institutions, when it should have begun with friendship.
