Summary: Chapter XXIV
The hot season has begun, and everyone retreats indoors,
away from the sun. The morning of Aziz’s trial, the Turtons drive
Adela to the courthouse with a police escort. On the way, Mr. Turton
thinks to himself that he does not hate Indians, for to do so would
be to denounce his own career and the energy spent on them. He concludes
that it is Englishwomen who really make matters worse in India.
In front of the courthouse, students jeer at the car.
Rafi, hiding behind a friend, yells that the English are cowards.
Inside, the English gather in Ronny’s office and loudly trade rumors
about an Indian rebellion and Fielding’s traitorous behavior. Ronny expresses
confidence in his subordinate, Das, who is acting as judge for the
case. Major Callendar loudly denounces all Indians. He relates with
satisfaction that the Nawab Bahadur’s grandson recently suffered
severe facial injury from a car accident; all Indians should be
similarly made to suffer. Everyone ignores Adela, who sits quietly,
fearing she will have a breakdown during her examination.
When the case is called, the group files into the courtroom
to their special chairs. Adela notices the lowly Indian servant
operating the fan. He has a beautiful, godlike demeanor and appears
aloof from everything taking place in the room.
McBryde opens the case for the prosecution. He presents
as scientific fact his assertion that darker races lust after fairer
races, but not vice versa. An Indian in the audience protests that
Adela is ugly. Adela becomes flustered. Callendar requests that
Adela be moved to the platform for better air. All of the English
then move to the platform. Amritrao, the lawyer from Calcutta, protests
that having all the English up on the platform will intimidate the
witnesses. Das agrees that everyone but Adela must return to the
floor. Outside the courtroom, word of this humiliation spreads,
and the crowd jeers.
McBryde argues that Aziz lives a double life, simultaneously “respectable”
and depraved. McBryde dwells on Aziz’s attempt to crush Mrs. Moore
in the first cave. Mahmoud Ali objects to this accusation, as Mrs.
Moore will not be testifying at the trial. Mahmoud Ali bemoans the
fact that Ronny has sent Mrs. Moore away, as she knew Aziz was innocent.
Despite Das’s attempts to restore calm, Mahmoud Ali shouts that
the trial is a farce and all of them slaves. He leaves the courtroom
in protest. The Indians begin chanting “Mrs. Moore” as if it were
a charm, until the chant sounds like “Esmiss Esmoor.”
Adela goes up to the witness stand. She suddenly feels
like she is back at Marabar, and that it seems more lovely this
time. As McBryde questions her, she visualizes each step of that
day. When he asks if Aziz followed her into the cave, she requests
a minute to answer. Visualizing the caves, she cannot picture him
following her. She states quietly that she has made a mistake, that
Aziz never followed her. The courtroom erupts. Callendar tries to
halt the trial on medical grounds, but Adela confirms that she withdraws
all the charges. The enraged Mrs. Turton screams insults at Adela.
Das officially releases Aziz.
