Definition of Satire
The Bridge Party (Part 1, Chapter 5) is a satire of the British takeover of India. First organized by Mr. Turton, this gathering immediately turns into a politicized event, during which the English and Indians separate themselves into two groups. The term "bridge party" is ironic, because the party does not create a bridge between the groups—rather, it intensifies the division between them:
THE BRIDGE PARTY was not a success—at least it was not what Mrs. Moore and Miss Quested were accustomed to consider a successful party. They arrived early, since it was given in their honour, but most of the Indian guests had arrived even earlier, and stood massed at the farther side of the tennis lawns, doing nothing.
The Collector of Chandrapore (Mr. Turton) is a great example of a character whom Forster portrays in a satirical manner, as is evident in Part 2 Chapter 17:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The Collector could not speak at first. His face was white, fanatical, and rather beautiful—the expression that all English faces were to wear at Chandrapore for many days. Always brave and unselfish, he was now fused by some white and generous heat; he would have killed himself, obviously, if he had thought it right to do so. He spoke at last. “The worst thing in my whole career has happened,” he said. “Miss Quested has been insulted in one of the Marabar caves.”