Abstract:
Paul Scott’s second novel, The Alien Sky, foreshadows the interest with the subject of
Indian independence that dominates his final great achievement, The Raj Quartet. Though
in this single novel Scott’s obvious concern is the British reaction to independence, I
believe in his presentation of his characters he also explores some of the moral concepts
relating to colonialism and independence that he analyses so illuminatingly in the Quartet.
In particular he shows how elements in the individual human psyche contribute to actions
and reactions within relationships based on power, which are the dominant feature of the
imperial situation. One of Scott’s principle themes is that, because of the power factor, even
for the most idealistic of those within the system there were boundaries that could not be
crossed. While Scott exposes then those who have no qualms about abusing their power, I
suggest that he reserves his sharpest criticism for those who fail to live up to their
expressed ideals because of their reliance on the system with which in the end they must
show solidarity.
