A Passage to India: Part 2, Chapter 28 Summary & Analysis

The narrator explains the circumstances of Mrs. Moore’s death—she was buried at sea, even farther south than where the ship left from. The ship seemed to have bad luck afterwards, as if her ghost lingered on, but the ghost seemed to be “shaken off” when the ship reached Europe. Meanwhile in Chandrapore, a legend springs up that Ronny killed his mother because she tried to save Aziz’s life. Two different tombs are reported to contain “Esmiss Esmoor,” and people start to leave small offerings at them.

Ronny knows that he treated his mother badly at the end, but he doesn’t feel like repenting, so he continues to be irritated at her. He even blames her for continuing to cause trouble with her tombs and cults. He assumes that she is in heaven now, but his religion is of the “sterilized Public School brand,” and he avoids thinking about anything too deep or supernatural. He plans on putting up a simple plaque in England with his half-brother and –sister, and that will be enough of a memorial.

Ronny hopes that Adela will decide to break off their engagement and leave India too. He cannot marry her now without ruining his career, but he hopes that she will take the initiative in politely backing out and leaving. She remains at Fielding’s college, an embarrassment to herself and the English, as the Turtons won’t take her back. Aziz is suing her for damages, and Ronny decides to save any discussion about their relationship for after a decision is made regarding the lawsuit.