–ﻣﺟﻠﺔ اﻟزرﻗﺎء ﻟﻠﺑﺣوث واﻟدراﺳﺎت اﻹﻧﺳﺎﻧﯾﺔ –اﻟﻣﺟﻠد اﻟراﺑﻊ ﻋﺷر ٢٠١٤اﻟﻌدد اﻟﺛﺎﻧﻲ ٢٠١٤اﻟﻌدد اﻟﺛﺎﻧﻲ –اﻟﻣﺟﻠد اﻟراﺑﻊ ﻋﺷر –ﻣﺟﻠﺔ اﻟزرﻗﺎء ﻟﻠﺑﺣوث واﻟدراﺳﺎت اﻹﻧﺳﺎﻧﯾﺔ اﻟﻤﺆﺛﺮات اﻟﺘﺎرﯾﺨﯿﺔ واﻷدﺑﯿﺔ واﻟﻔﻠﺴﻔﯿﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ أي أم ﻓﻮرﺳﺘﺮ اﻟﻤﺆﺛﺮات اﻟﺘﺎرﯾﺨﯿﺔ واﻷدﺑﯿﺔ واﻟﻔﻠﺴﻔﯿﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ أي أم ﻓﻮرﺳﺘﺮ

أ.د. ﻋزﯾز ﻣﺎﺟﺎن أ.د. ﻋزﯾز ﻣﺎﺟﺎن –ﻛﻠﯾﺔ اﻵداب ﻗﺳم اﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻹﻧﺟﻠﯾزﯾﺔ ﻗﺳم اﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻹﻧﺟﻠﯾزﯾﺔ –ﻛﻠﯾﺔ اﻵداب ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ اﻟزرﻗﺎء اﻻردن- اﻻردن- ﺟﺎﻣﻌﺔ اﻟزرﻗﺎء

ﺗﺎرﯾﺦ اﺳﺗﻼم اﻟﺑﺣث ٢٠١٤/٧/٢٢ ﺗﺎرﯾﺦ ﻗﺑول اﻟﺑﺣث ٢٠١٤/١١/٢ اﻟﺑﺣث ﻗﺑول ﺗﺎرﯾﺦ ٢٠١٤/٧/٢٢ اﻟﺑﺣث اﺳﺗﻼم ﺗﺎرﯾﺦ

ﻣﻠﺧص: ﻣﻠﺧ ص: اأن أي.ﻟﻛﺎﺗب أﯾم ﻓورﺳﺗر ﯾُ ﱡﻌد ﻣن ﻋﻣﺎﻟﻘﺔ اﻷدب اﻹﻧﺟﻠﯾزي ﻻ ﺳﯾﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺟﺎل ﻛﺗﺎﺑﺔ اﻟرواﯾﺔ، وﻗد ﺣﻘق ﺑﺟﺎﺣﺎً ﺑﺎﻫراً ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧطﺎق واﺳﻊ، ﻛﻣﺎ ﻣن ﻋﻣﺎﻟﻘﺔ اﻷدب اﻹﻧﺟﻠﯾزي ﻻ ﯾ أﻧﻪ ﻋﺎش ﺣﯾﺎة ﻣﻠﯾﺋﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺧﺑرات اﻷدﺑﯾﺔ اﻟﻐﻧﯾﺔ. وﺑﺎرﺿﺎﻓﺔ إﻟﻰ ذﯾن، ﻓﺄن اﻟﻛﺗﺎب: ﺟﯾن أوﺳﺗن، ﺻﻣوﺋﯾل ﺑﺗﻠر، أﯾم ﯾروﺳت، أﯾل دﻛﻧﺳن، ﻓوﻟﯾﺗر، أﻧﻪ ﻋﺎش ﺣﯾﺎة ﻣﻠﯾﺋﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺧﺑرات اﻷدﺑﯾﺔ اﻟﻐﻧﯾﺔ. وﺑﺎرﺿﺎﻓﺔ إﻟﻰ ذﯾن، ﻓﺄن اﻟﻛﺗﺎب: ﺟﯾن أوﺳﺗن، ﺻﻣوﺋﯾل ﺑﺗﻠر، أﯾم ﯾروﺳت، أﯾل دﻛﻧﺳن، ﻓوﻟﯾﺗ أي ﺟﯾر، وﺗوﻟﺳﺗوي ﻗد ﺳﺎﻋدوا ﻓورﺳﺗر ﻓﻲ ﺑﻧﺎء وﺗطوﯾر ﺷﺧﺻﯾﺗﻪ ﻛرواﺋﻲ ﻣؤﺛر، وﻣﯾدع ﻓﻛرﯾﺎً. وﻗد ﻛﺎن ﻟﻘورﺳﺗر أﻫﺗﻣﺎم واﺳﻊ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻣﺳﺎﺋل أي ﺟﯾر، وﺗوﻟﺳﺗوي ﻗد ﺳﺎﻋدوا ﻓورﺳﺗر ﻓﻲ ﺑﻧﺎء وﺗطوﯾر ﺷﺧﺻﯾﺗﻪ ﻛرو اﻟﺛﻘﺎﻓﯾﺔ وأﻣور اﻟﺛﻘﺎﻓﺔ، ﺣﯾث ﻛﺎن ﻓورﺳﺗر ﯾﻔﺿل ﻧوع اﻟﺛﻘﺎﻓﺔ اﻟﻣﺗﺣررة وﻣﻠﯾس اﻟﻧوع اﻟذي ﺗﺷرق ﻋﻠﯾﻪ اﻟﺣﻛوﻣﺔ، وﻋﻠﻰ ﻛل ﺣﺎل، ﻓﺎن ﻓورﺳﺗر ﻗد اﻟﺛﻘﺎﻓﯾﺔ وأﻣور اﻟﺛﻘﺎﻓﺔ، ﺣﯾث ﻛﺎن ﻓورﺳﺗر ﯾﻔﺿل ﻧوع اﻟﺛﻘﺎﻓﺔ اﻟﻣﺗﺣررة وﻣﻠﯾس اﻟﻧوع اﻟذي ﺗﺷرق ﻋﻠﯾﻪ اﻟﺣﻛوﻣﺔ، وﻋﻠﻰ ﻛل ﺣﺎل، ﻓﺎن ﻓورﺳﺗر ﺗﺄﺛر إﻟﻰ ٍﺣد ﺑﻌﯾد ﻣن ﺟﺎء ﺑﻌض اﻟرواﯾﺋﯾن، واﻟﻛﺗﺎب اﻷﺧرﯾن وﺣﺗﻰ ﺑﻌض اﻟﺷﻌراء اﻟروﻣﺎﻧﺗﯾﻛﯾن. أن ﺟﻣﯾﻊ ﻫؤﻻء اﻟﻛﺗﺎب ﻓورﺳﺗر ﻛرواﺋﻲ ﻣﻬم ﺗﺄﺛر إﻟﻰ ﺣد ﺣﺗﻰ أﻧﻪ ﻏدا ﻛﺎﺗﺑﺎ ﻣرﻣوﻗﺎً ﻟﻠﻘﺻﺔ اﻟﻘﺻﯾرة، وﺑﺎت ﯾﻛﺗب ﻓﻲ ﻣﺟﺎﻻت ﻋدﯾدة ﻓﻲ أطﺎر اﻷدب، ﻟذﻟك أﺳﺗطﺎع أن ﯾﺑﻧﻲ ﺷﻬرة أدﯾﺑﺔ واﺳﻌﺔ وﻣﺣﺗرﻣﺔ ﻣﺣﻠﯾﺎً وﻋﺎﻟﻣﯾﺎً. وﻣﺣﺗرﻣﺔ ﻣﺣﻠﯾﺎ

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30. V.I. Lenin , On Literature and Art , (Moscow: 35. Day Lewis , ( London : 1937 ) , p.15 Progress Publishers , 1970 ), p.83 36. Forster , Two Cheers for Democracy,p.34 31. Ibid. , p.83 37. D. Sigmund –Schultz ,p.131 32. Forster , Two Cheers for Democracy, p.31 38. Virginia Woolf. The DEATH OF THE Moth 33. Forster , Two Cheers for Democracy, p.101 and Other Essays ( London : The Hogarth 34. R. E. Warner. The Mind in Chains, ed. C. Press, 1942), p.104.

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Forster’s novels represent social history as 7. Morman Kelvin , E.M. Forster – The Man well as studies of the Edwardian mind. The prime and his Works ( London : Forum House , importance of his novels is the concern in 1967) , p.33 personal relationships and the need to “connect”. 8. E.M. Forster , ( London : His novels stress contrasting cultures and ways of Penguin Books , 1967) , p.242 life. Moreover, Forester’s novels are politically and 9. H.T. Moore , E.M. Forster , ( New York’s : morally tendentious and always in the liberal Columbia Un.Press , 1965) , p.25 tradition. Forster’s belief in the present has been 10. Ibid. ,p.25 achieved as a result of his attachment to tradition 11. Rose Macaulay , The Writings of E.M. and his sense of the past. Forster ( New York : Harcourt Brace , 1938 ) Through the survey of the influences on E. , p.136 M. Forester, it is noticed that Forster's life was 12. “ A Conversation with E.M. Forster “ , mainly cornered with human relationships. He Encounter , IX (Nov. , 1957) , p.55 unceasingly struggled to investigate the nature of 13. Forster , Two Cheers for Democracy , p.212 these relationships. Thus, Forster's characters are 14. Ibid. , pp.214-15 clearly related to the surroundings from which they 15. Forster , A binger Harvest, p.148 have been taken. 16. Ibid. , p.147 However, Forster was consistently engaged in 17. Ibid. , p.148 discovering the truth and reality that his characters 18. Forster , Two Cheers for Democracy, p.219 are also fundamentally concerned with. 19. Ibid. , p.216 Undauntedly, this approach Forster developed 20. Ibid. , p.282 stemmed from his liberalism. 21. Ibid. , p.174 It is difficult to pin Forster down, because he was 22. Ibid. ,p.20 not fully affiliated to any group. Forster held a 23. Thomas Hutchinson, ed. The Poems of fringe position. Shelley (London: Oxford Uni. Press, 1943) Notes and References p.424, Lines 149-59. 1. Rex Warner, E. M. Forster; (London: 24. E.M. Forster , Abinger Harvast ( London Longmans, 1964), pp: 7-8. :Edward Arnold and Co., 1953) , p.73 2. K. W. Grandson, “E.M.Forster at Eighty”, 25. Forster , Two Cheers for Democracy, p.157 Encounter, XII (January 1959), p.77. 26. F.R. LEAVIS, “Forster” – A Collection of 3. E.M. Forster, Two Cheers for Democracy, Critical Essays- ed. By M. Bradbury , ( N.T. (London: Arnold, 1972), p.70. Prentice-Hall, 1966) p.35 4. Ibid , p.78 27. Macualay , p.287 5. M. Rose, p.20 28. Forster , Two Cheers for Democracy, p.33 6. E.M. Forster, ( 29. Dorothes Sigmund –Schultz, “Raymond Edinburgh : Turnbull and Spears , 1928), Williams” Concept of Culture “ , Zeitschrift für p.125 Anglistik und Amerika nistik , 2 Jahrgang 1974 , Heft 2.

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at the top , stand to lose by any readjustment doesn’t worry me. I do care about the past, and within the whole . We find that, at those do care about the preservation and the extension periods of history when a change of social of freedom.(35) organization is necessary, culture comes into As a matter of fact, liberalism had the opposition to the time -honored standards of greatest influence on Forster’s ideas of culture. I society, standards think his ideas on culture serve the ruling forces in which, by the way , were elevated and the imperialist countries where criticism of the properly honored by the culture of the past but existing system is allowed. In doing so, they try to which have proved inadequate and uninspiring maintain the illusion that in these cultures there is for a further advance into the future.(34) a truly democratic atmosphere apparently I believe that Warner’s view is obviously exercised. Thus I think that Forster’s views on relevant to the development of ideas and feelings culture are no longer appropriate for the countries which are an indication of the modern meaning of that long to develop and make use of socialism. culture. Warner’s point comes very near to an In this respect Prof. Sigmund –Schultz states: Arnold's definition, in which culture can be in “Socialist culture should at no time be placed advance of the economic and social organization, automatically on the same level as the culture ideally embodying the future, Many English which exists in the capitalist countries.” (36) Marxists’ writings laid stress on this point. On the whole, it can be noticed in this paper Forster’s idea of culture springs naturally from that the influences on Forster were of a varied and his way of looking at things, and from the way he extensive nature. These influences made an able looked at things in the past. Thus his views on writer of Forster. However, Forster’s character, culture are quite different from Marxist views. Nor ideas and philosophy are true of his personality. was Forster affected by them. The Marxist He developed in accordance with changes in all interpretation of culture did not become spread in fields of life during the time in which he lived. English until 1930s. J. Ruskin and W. Morris Virginia Woolf’s perception was extremely strongly espoused Marxist culture. Morris linked susceptible to the influences of time. (37) the cause of art with the cause of socialism, and 5. Conclusion his socialism was of the revolutionary Marxist kind. Forster was very much interested in matters Although Forster sympathized with communism, of culture. He believed in a liberal type of culture; he did not favour Marxist views on culture. which should be national, not governmental. His I am not a Communist, through perhaps I might be views on culture were not concerned with if I was a younger and a braver man, for in economical and political systems. On this ground, Communism I can see hope. he is in disagreement with the Marxists’ views It does many things that I think evil, but I know with regard to culture. His culture, he believes, that it intends good. I am actually what my age my should not be defended; nor directed by a certain upbringing have made me - a bourgeois who political party. I feel this kind of culture is not quite adheres to the British constitution, adheres to it appropriate to modern times, and it will generate a rather than supports it , and the fact that this isn’t confused society. dignified

266 Zarqa Journal for Research and Studies in Humanities Volume 14, No 2, 2014 culture of democracy and of the world working class was ‘ Macbeth’ was ‘Phedre’. Art for art’s movement.” (30) From the Marxist angle, the national sake?I should just think so , and more so than culture leads to liberal – bourgeois culture which V.I. ever at the present time (1949). Lenin rejects completely. He comments: It is the one orderly product which our It is that all liberal bourgeois nationalism sows muddling race has produced(33). the greatest corruption among the workers and Although art is important in human beings does immense harm to the cause of freedom ‘lives, yet it must have an aim, it must deal with and the proletarian class struggle. This social, economic and political matters. Otherwise bourgeois tendency is all the more dangerous art would not have a role to play in ordinary for its being concealed behind the slogan of people’s lives. A Culture has to be limited to those ‘national culture’. (31) who are much concerned with art for art’s sake.

Views on culture vary whenever the social and Forster’s idea of culture is not concerned with economic conditions are not regarded as the basic economic and social conditions. “I know nothing factors which could bring about change in society. It about economics or politics but I am deeply is easy to understand that throughout history there interested in what is conventionally called culture (32) has been constant interaction between culture and and I want it to prosper all over the world “ . social organization. In accordance with this view, R. Forster’s ideas in this particular point could not be E. Warner states: appropriate to modern times, as he does not The progress of culture is dependent on the consider the question of economic structure and the progress of the material conditions for culture; consequent social relations as the guiding thread on and, in particular, the social organization of which a culture is woven. In Forster’s opinion, the any period of history limits the cultural working class cannot play a major role in developing possibilities of that period. Yet all through ideas about culture. history there is a constant interaction between He primarily thinks of an intellectual culture in culture and social organization. Culture, it is a the normal sense. Furthermore, Forster’s ideas on true cannot go beyond what is possible but culture prove to be incapable of leading to basically social organization can and does lag behind new ideas in literary theory or practical action in the what, from the point of view of culture , is both political field. He believes that art can be understood possible and desirable. There is a continuity only by cultured people who are interested in art for both between various forms of social art’s sake. organization and various forms of culture , but The work of art stands up by itself and nothing the cultural continuity is the more marked else does. It achieves something which has because ,for one thing , it is easier to often been promised by society, but always envisage possibilities than to put them into delusively. Ancient Athens made a mess- but practice , and also because the change and progress in society have always “ Antigone “ stand up. Renaissance Rome been resisted for as long as possible by those made a mess- but the ceiling of the Sistine interested persons who , being for the moment got painted. James I made a mess-but there

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Forster drew back from the religious certainties Forster is much closer to Bloomsbury than to of T.S. Eliot’s later verse. His humanist, liberal, nineteenth century liberal optimism. Nevertheless, classical mind welcomed religion in spirit but not as he is not considered an enthusiastic representative a doctrine, not as a creed; perhaps it welcomes no of that group. Forster’s attachment to Bloomsbury creeds of any kind, only the spirit behind them. He was a critical one, however, and it is easily possible did not favour the doctrine of atonement nor show to overstress the similarity of opinion in the group. any enthusiasm for a creed which made a virtue of The important point that F. R. Levis stated in his pain and suffering. The death-bed scenes, so essay is “the weakness of Mr. Fortser’s work and of cherished by the Victorian readers of Dickens and Bloomsbury are placed as such by standards implicit George Eliot for their uplifting moral qualities and in what is best in that work” (26).This is apt and religious fervor are deliberately avoided by Forster to enlightening and once again it draws attention to whom dwelling on pain and death is tantamount to Forster’s capacity for self security, his power to be bad taste. His attitude is not short sighted, merely ironic and questioning in the face of a culture on selective passions, too deeply moved blur judgment which he draws and to which he is attached. Forster in his readers without judgment. The order and cared for culture, he believes that “culture should be beauty of a work of art may not be perceived. The a thing pursued and furthered not defended; it age of heroes may pass, but the love of beauty should not be bound up in our minds with any remains. political party or color” (27). He thinks that culture

Most of the literature of the 19th century is should not be governmental. It should be national. characterized by a spirit of optimism, heroism and Forster states: romance. Good and bad can be clearly When a culture id genuinely national, it is distinguished. At the end of novels and plays the capable, when the hour strikes, of becoming good prospers, the evil suffers. 19th century super national, and contributing literature strove after the ecclesiastical life and to the general good of humanity. It gives and universal truth about the nature of man. Forster in takes. It wants to give and take. It has his work seeks this he strives after this truth. His generosity and modesty, It is not confined by novels reveal hopeful heroism, yet the overall political and geographic boundaries, It does impression is one of beauty in life and grandeur in not fidget about purity of race or worry about man. survival, but living in the present and sustained by the desire to create. It expands Forster derived much from the Victorian wherever human beings are to be found. (28) intellectual tradition. Forster himself made such 4. The Concept of Culture debts quite pain; and he clearly espoused many of attitudes of nineteenth century romantic and political Forster’s culture is not concerned with the liberalism. With a view to this, Forster comments: “I potential of the working class “ as the main force for belong to the fag-end of Victorian liberalism, and social progress to use all its capabilities in the field can look back to an age whose challenges were of culture and to continue what it has already (29) moderate in their tone, and when the cloud on the developed in the past“ . However, Forster’s views horizon was no bigger than a man’s head.” (25) on culture are not in agreement with the Marxist ones. The Marxist’s slogan “is the international 268 Zarqa Journal for Research and Studies in Humanities Volume 14, No 2, 2014

since he was a forceful character he was distinctive feature of the romantic poets whom able to drive his ideas home. They happen Forster immensely respected. to be my own ideas, and like many other 3. The Romantic Influence small people I am thankful when a great The romantic poets, in particular Wordsworth, person comes along and says for me what I Shelley and Byron, had uttered loud and penetrating (21) can’t say properly for myself. cries for freedom. Shelley’s impact on Forster can In 1943 Forster wrote these words about be clearly observed. Shelley’s “Epipsychidion”, Andre Gide. They are scarcely less true of him: commemorating an Italian lady, Emilia trapped in a Here’s a man with a free mind, indifferent to convent as a bird in a cage, was constantly in authority, Forster’s mind when he was writing The Longest indifferent sometimes to logic, indifferent to Journey .Even the title of the novel was taken from everything except Shelley’s poem: what he believes to be true. He has remained I never was attached to that great sect, whose an individualist in doctrine is, that each one should select out of an age which imposes discipline… He believes the crowed a mistress or a friend, in good taste And all the rest, though fair and wise, commend .... He’s subtle and elusive- sometimes to cold oblivion, though it is in the code of annoyingly so- he sets modern morals, and the better road which (22) great store by charm. those poor slaves with weary footsteps tread. It would be misleading to try to press too far a the travel to their home among the dead by the parallel between Forster and Gide both are products broad highway of the world, and so with one of their own different cultural traditions and cannot chaired friend, perhaps a jealous foe, the (23) be fully appreciated outside them but to some extent dreariest and longest journey ago. such a parallel might be valid. It might even be The heroics that Shelly inspired in a small relevant to add that Gide had a remarkable group of intellectuals at the turn of the 19th century knowledge of English literature and the fact that both were not those familiar to the Victorian age. Forster writers cared deeply for music: Forster played the and his fellow thinkers were advocating piano all his life, while Gide was a pianist of independence of thought and freedom of action exceptional ability. Forster, like Gide, distrusts based on personal rather than national attitudes and greatness and authority. beliefs.

Forster’s principal writings concern the failure of The other authors whom Forster respected human begins to communicate with one another during the first World War were W. Blake, William satisfactorily, their failure to smash down the walls of Morris and T.S. Eliot" The people I really clung to prejudice that have risen between them and to were those who had nothing tangible to offer…They establish the relationships that are so richly possible. took me into a country where the will is not every – The value of his fiction lies, to a great extent, in his thing , and the braying patriots of the moment made representative portraits of people. His writings are no sound . “(24) dominated by the tone of freedom, which is the

269 The Historical, Literary, and Philosophical Influences on E.M. Forster of course important differences as Forster indicated “ “subconscious way” of recognizing the nature of I was more ambitious… I tried to hitch it (domestic man. hum our) on to other things. “(16) Joyce’s Ulysses (1922) is a pilgrimage of a

Forster did not explain just how he was more very different kind it is a journey into the mind shows ambitious; but it is clear that in his earlier novels that the deep influence which the insight into human such as he used domestic motivation found in the works of Sigmund Freud had comedy as a means of exploring social and on him. Joyce’s extreme experiments in style and psychological conflicts of a much more problematic treatment struck Forster at first as an aberration of kind than those Jane Austen treats in her novels. art but he recognized Joyce’s genius and particularly welcomed the psychological analysis of While in his last novel what the nature of man: begins as a somewhat conventional story about a Man is beginning to understand himself better trip to India to arrange a marriage erupts into a and to explore his own contradictions…. It has matter of more universal import the domestic brought a great enrichment to the art of comedy of Part I Mosque turns into the metaphysical fiction. It has given subtleties and depths to chaos of Part II Caves. Forster’s admiration for Jane the portrayals of human nature. The presence Austen is based partly on their compatibility of in all of the subconscious, the occasional temperament, and partly on moral matters, which existence of the split personality, the were the concern of their novels. Forster’s words persistence of the irrational especially in confirm the belief that Jane Austen has influenced people who him, “I am a Jane Austenite, and therefore slightly pride themselves on their reasonableness, the imbecile about Jane Austen. She is my favorite importance of dreams and the prevalence of author! I read and reread the mouth open and the day – dreaming here are some of the points mind closed”. (17) which novelists have seized on and which From Proust Forster stated: “I learned ways of have not been ignored by historians. This looking at character from him the modern psychology is not new but it has newly risen subconscious way “. He adds “Proust was an artist (20) to the surface. and a tremendous one he found in memory the Not only English writers had an influence on means of interpreting and humanizing this chaotic (18) Forster’s work. Others also had their part in forming world “. these influences. Forster admired Voltaire and Andre Forster furthermore, considers him a great Gide greatly in some way he made Voltaire his novelist. “Most people agree that Tolstoy’s War and model: Peace is the greatest novel that Western civilization If I had to name two people to speak for has produced. Which novel is the second greatest? I Europe at the last Judgment I should suggest Maroel Proust’s A La Recherché du Temps choose Shakespeare and Voltaire – Perdu”. (19)Proust’s works are an exact psychological Shakespeare for his creative genius, probe into the value of man. James Joyce held the Voltaire for his critical genius and humanity. same tendency. Joyce was over whelmed by the Voltaire cared for truth, he believed in tolerance, he pitied the oppressed, and 270 Zarqa Journal for Research and Studies in Humanities Volume 14, No 2, 2014 convincing when it is associated with personal In 1957 Forster said to Angus Wilson: “Yes. relations, it is least convincing when it is made to Butler influenced me, of course. He taught me how puff the sails of some Prophetic or merely public to look at money when I was young.” (12) It has been declaration about society conceived as an indicated that Forster showed his respect and abstraction. Conversely, his pessimism seems most intimacy for Butler. We examine more closely how natural, when it is based on a view of social Butler’s Erewhon influenced Forster. He considered processes.(7) it a book of genius.

Forster believes that industrialization has Other works had an impact on Forster too. Of removed people from the land, and so deadened these works are: Dante’s Divine Comedy, Gibbon’s their natural life: “That they (the countrymen of the Decline and Fall and Tolstoy’s War and Peace. past) were men of the finest type only the Forster expressed his view on these three works in sentimentalist can declare. But they kept to the life the following way:"All three are great both in quality of daylight. They are England’s hope. “(8) and in bulk…. They impressed me by their

Forster perceives that these people lack massiveness and design, and made me feel small in vitality. He ascribes this to the breakdown of the the right way, and to make us feel small in the right traditional values of English agricultural society. For way is a function of art; men can only make us feel “(13) Forster, vitality comes from renewed contact with small in the wrong way. Yet, Forster confessed earth. This explains Forster’s love of the beauty of that Butler’s Erewhon greatly impressed him. He the countryside. writes: Why did this book influence me? 2. General Influences on Forster’s Work For one thing, I have the sort of mind which likes to be taken unawares. The frontal full Forster’s literary background owes much to dress presentation of an opinion often repels Jane Austen, Dickinson, Samuel Butler, Oscar me , but if it be insidiously slipped in sidewise Browning, and G. E. Moore. Jane Austen and I may receive it , and Butler is a master of the Samuel Butler , who with Proust Forster says : “ oblique…Erewhon also influenced me in its have helped me most over my writing”.(9)Forster technique. I like that idea of fantasy, of added “ Butler did more than the other two to help Muddling up the actual and the impossible me look at life the way I do . What is that way? It is until the reader isn’t sure which is which, and the undo Mateo way”. (10) This way is observed in I have sometimes tried to do it when writing Forster’s writings. He does not try to impose his myself.(14) dogmas on his readers and audience. Furthermore, Butler influenced Forster in developing his ideas: Forster respected not only Butler but he Forster, of course, Knew and liked Butler’s extremely admired Jane Austen and Proust. From books; in fact he planned to make a critical Jane Austen Forster learned the possibilities of” (15) study of them , but he himself could perhaps domestic humour. “ Forster is then and rather not say which of his ideas was suggested to consciously Jane Austen’s successor in the him by Butler , and which simply agreed with tradition of the outwardly unambitious novel which Butler’s because both men thought a like and deals humorously with ordinary middle class lived not many years apart. (11) domestic life in a relatively leisured society there are

271 The Historical, Literary, and Philosophical Influences on E.M. Forster

A glance at Forster’s life presents the reader century, is based on an idealistic interpretation of with a pleasing perplexing. Forster lived 91 years reality. This freedom led Forster into confusion. and witnessed as many major world events and Fielding, for example, in A Passage to India does cataclysms as most men now living can remember. not want to limit his freedom by becoming too He began to ally himself with the past. He did so closely involved with other people friendship with with unpretentiousness and with firmness, and he Aziz could not be maintained and Fielding feels that did not cast the future in the role of the unmitigated there is something in him that restrains him from full villain. Nevertheless, the bonds between him and participation in human relationships. The desire for the past have increasingly strengthened; which is freedom prevents him from living life to the full. the paradox. For those who enjoy his works, they Forster’s concept of freedom is not flawless. It not only remain relevant to the present day, but is also part of his nature. He does not have an show a remarkable resistance to fluctuations in aggressive approach. Even when he is bitterly taste. People still argue about Howard End and A criticized, he does not retaliate with similar criticism Passage to India – which is the better of the two? of his opponents. M. Rose states: “Forster, when he But nobody denies that both belong to the examines the work of his contemporaries, shows permanent tradition of the English novel, and he him as generous, zestful and appreciative. Lowes continued in that tradition. Dickinson, Lytton Strachey and Virginia Woolf, are Forster is considered a traditionalist. However, treated handsomely, despite their own rather he was constantly engaged in discovering the truth disparaging comments on Forster’s work. “(5) and reality that his characters are also fundamentally He refrains from peevish criticism when he concerned with. Undoubtedly, this approach finds his contemporaries tedious or showy. His stemmed from his liberalism; that’s why Forster held reaction to H.G. Wells’ science fiction, which a fringe position. It is difficult to pin Forster down; heralded the glorious Age of the Machine, was not a because he was not fully affiliated to any group. critical diatribe but the short story The Machine Forster’s literary status has been high for many Stops. In this short story Forster showed how one years. Much of his work is a study of personal element of the modern social complex – the relationships; he himself most keenly appreciated machine – triumphed over the natural life of man. the society of a small circle of friends. He was shy But it is far more pessimistic than anything by Wells, and hesitant to meet the great and powerful, and and reflects none of his faith in science as it despite his prodigious reputation, had a retiring portrays a dehumanized world of the future. It also nature. reflects Forster’s belief in man: “Man is the

Forster shows a strong disgust for those who measure. That was my first lesson. Man’s feet are try to rule. His dislike of administrators is a product the measures of distance his hands are the measure of his belief in freedom. Forster’s freedom means for ownership, his body is the measure for all that is “(6) that restrictions must not be placed on individual loveable and desirable and strong. th liberty; if a man is restrained by certain dogmas or It is indeed a timely warning that the 20 conventions, some part of his essential human century machines must not be allowed to break nature is sacrificed. This view of freedom, which has down personal relationships by breaking human dominated much liberal humanist thinking of the last feeling and initiative. His optimism is most 272 Zarqa Journal for Research and Studies in Humanities Volume 14, No 2, 2014 was made possible through inherited wealth. As a In A Passage to India, Forster lays much stress champion of England’s beautiful countryside he on this point discovering the disadvantages and companied against modern housing developments, defects of imperialism. His novels are filled with a but he passion for truth in personal emotions and knew people must have houses" They must , and I relationships. He developed a world of art that is think of working-class friends in north London who based on his faith in mankind. have to bring up four children in two rooms , and Throughout his life Forster behaved as a moral many are even worse off than that . “(3) realist. He was too much concerned with moral

He was extremely skeptical of the political or issues, and this made him proclaim the values of social arguments put forward to justify the housing of freedom, humanitarianism, progress, and those living in overcrowded slum areas and doubted intelligence. However, he perceived that no perfect whether the irreplaceable destruction of natural order was possible; ideals must be compromised beauty that had formed part of a nation’s life and and disillusionment accepted. Forster’s value for the tradition could take place without deep spiritual loss. liberal imagination is related to the belief that life is Howards End (1910) on the one hand offers warmth not made up of antagonistic principles of simple and security to those who respond to the loveliness good and evil at war with each other, but of muddle. of the countryside and on the other predicts the As he grew older, he became increasingly aware of erosion of that beauty by the red rust of creeping the mixture of good and evil in human action. London. Therefore Forster’s approach to moral issues is realistic. Forster springs forward to champion the individual , the sanctity of personal relationships , The liberal tries to act on perfect theory, to and , to use Heats’ phrase , “ the holiness of the create a just order in both his private and public life, heart’s affections” rather than any great causes : " I and so is astonished when anomalies occur. But hate the idea of causes , and if I had to choose Forster perceives that no perfect order is possible. between betraying my country and betraying my In this regard, Forster is different from Henry James, friend , I hope I should have the guts to who withdraws into a detailed examination of a few betray my country.( "4) highly unusual personal relationships. James believes that by making decisions, by choosing Forster’s liberalism takes a very different form precisely , by evaluating correctly, all difficulties can than of his contemporaries. His patriotism does not be solved . For Forster, the moral order and balance lead him to wave flags for the British royal family. sought by James is an impossible ideal. He wishes people would cherish and perpetuate the beauty of the countryside, the importance of culture, Forster’s life was mainly concerned with and the democracy that protects personal liberty. human relationships. He unceasingly struggled to However, Forster was not completely devoted to this investigate the nature of these relationships. Thus liberal tradition. Yet, his tradition was accompanied Forster’s characters are closely related to the with tolerance, and an intense enthusiasm for the surroundings from which they have been taken; arts and a passionate hatred of imperialism. which makes the realistic characterization in his novels very obvious.

273 The Historical, Literary, and Philosophical Influences on E.M. Forster

1. Introduction Forster wrote only six novels: Where Angels Fear to Tread, The Longest Journey , A Room with Edward Morgan Forster was born in London in a View , Howards End , A Passage to India , and 1879. He attended Ton bridge school as a day boy. ; his long-withheld novel , which was His impressions of school were unpleasant and published in 1971 , after his death. The themes of boring. Forster’s novel The Longest Journey reveals his novels are the necessity for tolerance and the his unhappiness at school. On the other hand his importance of human relations. True enough, Cambridge days were quite pleasant and full of Forster’s main concern in his novels is the failure of freedom. He went to King’s College, Cambridge, in human relations. He has ascribed this failure to the 1897. limitations to which his characters are restricted by He established a life- long connection with society. Yet, Forster believed that a change in King’s College; thus he was elected to an Honorary culture was quite a reasonable solution to the Fellowship in 1946. His life, generally speaking, was problem of this limitation; a concept of culture is no not dramatic, and he was unfailingly modest about longer suitable to modern times. Since Forster’s his literary achievements. Forster, whose life lasted time, world societies have been exposed to many almost a century, died in 1970. His long life gave changes .Rex Warner states in this respect: “It is him a strong sense of tradition. He saw in his own sometimes said that E.M. Forster is , in literature , family, in his education, and in his liberalism, ties the last survivor of a Cultured liberal tradition which that were associated for him with the past, and has now been swept away by two world wars, by reflected in his works, in particular in his novels; economic and by the internecine struggle of these are the main concern of this paper. dogmatically opposed ideas. " (1) Forster stopped writing major novels after he Forster’s visits to Cambridge and Italy were the had finished A Passage to India. However, he major liberating experiences in his life and are shifted to miscellaneous subjects, including criticism clearly reflected in his writings. However elusive he primarily of other writers, of government, and the was to his Cambridge friends in his works, Forster is state of culture. Moreover, his few attempts at long not timid in declaring where his heart lies. He had a works of fiction were extremely powerful. healthy respect for money and was fully aware that Forster, because of his novels, has been without his great-aunt’s legacy he would not have considered a gifted novelist. Even today, Forster enjoyed so much leisure time in which to travel and occupies an important place among the shapers of write: " I have not written as much as I’d like to contemporary fiction. By his example and through ………I write for two reasons: partly to make money his critical direction, writers and students of fiction and partly to win the respect of people whom I have been able to see more clearly the elements respect… I had better add that I am quite sure I am which form a work of fiction. Such terms as rhythm, not a great novelist. “(2) pattern and symbol, have seemed less vague to In his middle twenties, Forster was at his most those who have read Forster’s Aspect of the Novel productivity. Not only did he actively engage in or A bringer Harvest. These two books are also political writing for a time, seeking to appeal to the invaluable for the light they shed on Forster’s own liberals for reform, but he also wrote for the art as a novelist. Independent Review on political subjects. His writing 274 Zarqa Journal for Research and Studies in Humanities Volume 14, No 2, 2014 The Historical, Literary, and Philosophical Influences on E.M. Forster

Prof. Dr. Aziz Magan College of Arts -Department of English Zarqa University

Received 22/7/2014 Accepted 2/11/2014

Abstract: Forster is a towering figure in English Literature and fiction; who he achieved a popular success as a novelist. He led a life that was full of rich experiences. Furthermore, writers such as Jane Austen, S. Butler, M. Proust L. Dickinson, Voltaire, A. Gide, and Tolstoy helped Forester a great deal to improve, as a creative novelist. In this respect they, to a large extent, influenced him intellectually and scholastically. Forster was very much interested in matters of culture. He believed in a liberal type of culture that should be national; not governmental. His novels treat the theme of culture extensively. However Forster was widely dominated by certain novelists, writers and even the Romantic Poets. All these writers and men of letters, in one way or another, contributed to the building Forster as an important novelist, a short story writer and finally a miscellaneous writer. However he was not a prolific writer, yet, he could establish a respectful literary reputation.

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