Thursday, December 24, 2009

A Passage to India - South of Latitude 30

'Mr McBryde [District Superintendent of Police] was shocked at his downfall [Aziz's after his accusation of assault], but no Indian ever surprised him, because he had a theory about climatic zones. The theory ran: 'All unfortunate natives are criminals at heart, for the simple reason that they live south of latitude 30. They are not to blame, they have not a dog's chance - we should be like them if we settled here.' Born at Karachi, he seemed to contradict his theory, and would sometimes admit as much with a sad, quiet smile.' - p.176

Why Latitude 30? The heat? Physical, social, economic geographical concerns?

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