| A Passage to India The Collector kept his word. Next day he issued invitation cards to numerous Indian gentlemen in the neighbourhood, stating that he would be at home in the garden of the Club between the hours of five and seven on the following Tuesday, also that Mrs. Turton would be glad to receive any ladies of their families who were out of purdah. His action caused much excitement and was discussed in several worlds. “It is owing to orders from the L.G.,” was Mahmoud Ali´s explanation. “Turton would never do this unless compelled. Those high officials are different – they sympathize, the Viceroy sympathizes, they would have us treated properly. But they come too seldom and live to far away. Meanwhile –“ “It is easy to sympathize at a distance,” said an old gentleman with a beard. “I value more the kind word that is spoken close to my ear. Mr. Turton has spoken it, from whatever cause. He speaks, we hear. I do not see why we need discuss it further.” Quotations followed from the Koran. “We have not all your sweet nature, Nawab Bahadur, nor your learning.” “The Lieutenant-Governor may be my very good friend, but I give him no trouble-“How do you do, Nawab Bahadur?” “Quite well, thank you, Sir Gilbert; how are you?” –and all is over. But I can be a thorn in Mr. Turton´s flesh, and if he asks me I accept the invitation. I shall come in from Dilkusha specially, though I have to postpone other business.” “You will make yourself chip,” suddenly said a little black man. (a fragment from A Passage to India by E. M. Forster) BEFORE READING VOCABULARY. In groups define, give a synonym…of some of the words below and then write a sentence with each one. border to be belittled and vilified to be at stake population growth economic characteristics ethnic group migration political system settlement social characteristics natural environment taxes trade technology resources public goods and services branches of government citizen conflict rights and responsibilities READING. READ THE TEXT AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES: § Is the Collector an Indian or a British? § What kind of invitation does he send? § What kind of relation do British and Indians have? § What are the different feelings about the invitation? AFTER READING. IN GROUPS OF FIVE WRITE AN ESSAY USING THE COOPERATIVE LEARNING. Give a title to your work. Include the following topics: author, plot, colonization, human rights. SPEAKING. Discussion: MIGRATION. |
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