"[T]hey do but widen the gulfs between them by the attempt" (Forster 37). This
gulf was something that every English and Indian person had in common in the book,
"A Passage to India". The gulf was the cultural separation between the Indians and the
English. According to Forster, even the attempt of closing the cultural gap widened the
gulf. Aziz, a young Indian doctor, believed that he had the ability to row a boat across
the gulf. In the book "A Passage to India", Aziz learned through his encounters with the
English that the Indians and the English could not yet be friends, contrary to his original
In the beginning of the book, Aziz believed that he could cross the cultural gap
between Indians and the English if he treated the English well. According to Novel guide,
Aziz has "a desire to please." He went to great lengths to make sure that everyone was
comfortable when he took Mrs. Moore and Ms. Quested to the Marabar Caves. "[H]is
honour was involved in their happiness, and any discomfort they had endured would tear
his own soul" (142). Cliffs Notes says that "[h]e is high spirited, fun-loving, and
hospitable to an exaggerated degree. When he is found in error, he is tremendously
sensitive." Aziz was so dedicated to the comfort of his English guests that it would
deeply affect his own soul if they weren't content. Aziz was even concerned when his
guests did not seem to be enthusiastic about having a picnic. "Aziz was terribly worried"
(127). When his guide lost sight of Ms. Quested and was unable to find her, Aziz became
very angry. " 'You should have kept her in sight, it was your duty,' said Aziz severely"
(155). Aziz was on the verge of firing his guide because of that mistake. Aziz wanted
everything to be perfect for his English guests so he could attempt to bridge the cultural
Aziz's dream of closing the cu...