Brotherhood in Crisis in Forster's the Longest Journey

Abstract

Rickie Elliot, the protagonist of E.M. Forster'sThe Longest Journey, initially shows hatred towards his brother Stephen but it turns into love immediately when he comes to know that Stephen is his half-brother from mother's side rather than his father's son. This shift of attitude reveals his attraction towards his mother and repulsion towards his father. His repressed desire gets an outlet with this fact, then he accepts Stephen as a substitute to his dead mother rather than a brother and this after all puts their brotherhood in crisis.