Summary: Chapter XXVI
Fielding reluctantly converses with Adela. She wants to
discuss her behavior, but he is unwilling until she mentions that
she has been ill. She says she has been ill with an echo since the
day of the trip to the Marabar Caves, or perhaps the day she heard
Godbole’s song. Fielding admits that he always suspected she was
ill, or perhaps hallucinatory. Adela cannot quite describe the vision
she had in court. Nonetheless, Fielding appreciates Adela’s meticulous
honesty, and he apologizes for his rudeness to Ronny.
Adela asks Fielding what Aziz thinks of her. Fielding
uncomfortably thinks about Aziz’s contempt for Adela’s ugliness.
They discuss the possibility that the guide, or someone else, attacked
Adela. Hamidullah arrives and is unhappy to see Fielding and Adela together.
Hamidullah expresses severe disapproval of Adela because of the
destruction she has carelessly brought upon Aziz. Hamidullah invites
Fielding to the Nawab Bahadur’s house for the victory celebration.
Adela prepares to depart, but Fielding invites her to remain at
the college while he stays with Aziz’s friends. Hamidullah, however,
is eager to be rid of Adela, for her emotionless demeanor repels him.
While the two men discuss what to do with Adela, Hamidullah
is relieved to notice Ronny pull up. Fielding meets Ronny outside
and learns that Mrs. Moore has died on the voyage back to England
and has been buried at sea. Fielding returns and sends Adela out.
He and Hamidullah agree not to tell Aziz about Mrs. Moore until the next
day. Adela returns, distraught at Mrs. Moore’s death, and asks to
remain at the college. At Fielding’s request, Adela brings Ronny
inside.
Hamidullah is unfriendly to Ronny. Fielding and Ronny
settle the details of Adela’s stay at the College, and then Fielding
and Hamidullah leave for the Nawab Bahadur’s celebration. On the way,
Fielding overhears Hamidullah saying that Adela should be fined
twenty thousand rupees. Fielding is distressed that Adela should
lose her money and probably her fiancé as well.
Summary: Chapter XXVII
“Is emotion a sack of potatoes, so much
the pound, to be measured out? Am I a machine?”
See Important Quotations Explained
Late that night, the celebrants at the victory party are
bedded down on the Nawab Bahadur’s roof. Fielding and Aziz have
a long talk. Aziz anticipates that Fielding will urge him not to
make Adela pay any reparations. But Aziz no longer wants the English
to admire him for his chivalry. Fielding explains that he himself
changed his mind and now believes that Adela acted bravely and will
suffer enough as it is. Aziz dismisses Adela because of her lack
of beauty. Fielding becomes angry with Aziz’s sexual snobbery.
Finally, Aziz says he will consult Mrs. Moore and do what
she suggests. Fielding points out that Aziz’s emotions are disproportionate:
it was Adela who saved him, while Mrs. Moore went away—yet Aziz
still loves Mrs. Moore and not Adela. Aziz rejects what he sees as
Fielding’s materialism, which measures love pound-by-pound. Fielding
explains to Aziz that Mrs. Moore has died, but Hamidullah, overhearing
their conversation, tells Aziz that Fielding is joking. Aziz takes
it as a joke.
