"Staying On" by Paul Scott (1977): A Review

Paul Scott’s Staying On (1977) is a poignant and insightful novel that is the final installment in his Raj Quartet series, a deeply reflective exploration of post-colonial India and the complex legacies of British imperialism. While the earlier books in the series, such as The Jewel in the Crown, focused on the tumultuous period of British rule and the subsequent Indian independence movement, Staying On takes a more personal and intimate approach, centering on the lives of a British couple who decide to remain in India after the end of British rule. The novel examines the intricacies of cultural identity, personal resilience, and the emotional fallout of colonialism.

The novel is set in the fictional Indian town of Pankot, where the couple, Colonel Tucker and his wife, Lucy, have decided to settle after the withdrawal of the British. It explores their everyday existence as expatriates and the challenges they face in maintaining their connection to a country and society that is undergoing immense change. Through their experiences, Scott touches on the personal impact of political shifts, particularly the way in which the British, as colonizers, are slowly becoming irrelevant in a newly independent India.

Plot Summary

Staying On revolves around the lives of Colonel Tucker and Lucy, a retired British officer and his wife, who remain in Pankot after India’s independence. The couple, once part of the British colonial establishment, now find themselves in a precarious position, largely cut off from the society they once knew. As expatriates, they are caught in the middle of an India that has moved on from its colonial past and is facing the difficulties of nation-building.

The novel is structured around the Tuckers’ day-to-day life as they navigate the realities of staying on in a country that has gained independence. Colonel Tucker, a somewhat gruff, proud man, is still clinging to the values of British imperialism, while Lucy, more introspective and emotionally attuned, grapples with her sense of belonging and the complexities of their colonial history.

Throughout the book, the couple faces mounting challenges, including the social isolation that comes from their status as expatriates and the growing distance between them and the India they once knew. Despite their attempts to maintain a semblance of Britishness, they are increasingly alienated, both from the India they inhabit and from each other. Colonel Tucker’s stubbornness and Lucy’s quieter, more reflective character form the emotional core of the novel, and Scott explores how their relationship evolves within the context of post-colonial India.

The plot also delves into the Tuckers’ interactions with the local population, including a former servant and his family, who provide an important contrast to the couple’s disconnected lives. The relationships between these characters reflect the broader cultural tensions and evolving dynamics between the British expatriates and the newly independent Indian society. The novel also explores themes of loss, as the Tuckers mourn not only their former colonial status but also the passing of an era.

Themes and Analysis

1. Post-Colonial Identity and Belonging

One of the most significant themes in Staying On is the question of identity and belonging in the post-colonial world. The Tuckers’ decision to stay in India after independence is symbolic of the lingering attachment to a colonial past. Colonel Tucker, in particular, struggles with the loss of status and the sense of purpose that came with British rule. His refusal to leave India reflects a deep-seated connection to a time that has passed, but it also highlights the emotional and psychological scars left by colonialism.

Lucy, on the other hand, has a more nuanced relationship with her place in India. Her internal struggle revolves around her complicated feelings of loyalty to both the colonial past and the new, independent India. Through Lucy’s introspective nature, Scott explores how individuals—especially expatriates—navigate the shifting sands of cultural identity after the end of colonial rule.

The novel suggests that the process of decolonization, both at the national and personal level, is fraught with complexity, loss, and confusion. The Tuckers’ inability to fully integrate into Indian society underscores the difficulty of reconciling the colonial past with the new reality of independence. This theme is explored not just on a national scale but also within the intimate confines of their relationship, where the Tuckers’ personal history is intertwined with the larger forces of history and politics.

2. The Impact of Colonialism on Relationships

Another central theme in Staying On is the way colonialism shapes relationships. The Tuckers’ marriage, once a product of the colonial system, becomes strained as they try to adjust to life in post-colonial India. Colonel Tucker, with his rigid sense of British superiority, is unable to adapt to the changing environment, while Lucy, who is more open to self-reflection, experiences the pain of loss in a different way.

The novel touches on the emotional consequences of colonialism, particularly for the British who remain in India after independence. The expatriates who decide to stay are caught between two worlds—neither fully part of the old colonial world nor able to fully integrate into the new, independent India. This sense of displacement and disorientation pervades the novel, highlighting how colonialism has affected the personal lives and relationships of individuals long after the political structures have changed.

The relationship between the Tuckers and the local people, especially their former servant, is also telling. The shifting power dynamics between the British and the Indian population reflect the broader changes in the country, and the personal connections between these characters reveal the lingering tensions that exist in the wake of colonial rule.

3. The Passage of Time and Generational Change

In Staying On, Scott explores the theme of generational change and the passage of time. The Tuckers, now older and isolated, represent an earlier era, one that is fading as India moves into its new, independent future. Their world is one that no longer exists, and the novel reflects the generational divide between the British expatriates and the younger Indian generation, who have embraced the changes of independence and look to the future with hope and determination.

The younger characters, including the servant’s family, represent a new India—one that is shaped by the political and social changes of independence. Their experiences provide a stark contrast to the Tuckers’ world, and through these differences, Scott reflects on the impact of time and history on personal lives and national identity.

4. The Impermanence of Empire and the Human Condition

Staying On is also a meditation on the impermanence of empire and the fleeting nature of human endeavor. The Tuckers’ attempt to hold onto the colonial past in the face of inevitable change serves as a symbol of the decline of British imperialism. The novel suggests that empires, like individuals, eventually fade and are replaced by new social, political, and cultural orders. In this respect, Staying On is about the personal and emotional cost of empire, as well as the resilience required to confront the future and adapt to new realities.

Literary Style

Paul Scott’s writing in Staying On is elegant and reflective, marked by its emotional depth and insight into the human condition. The narrative is introspective, with much of the novel focused on the internal lives of the characters, particularly Colonel Tucker and Lucy. Scott’s prose is detailed and immersive, capturing both the physical environment of post-colonial India and the psychological landscape of the characters.

The novel’s pacing is slow and contemplative, as Scott takes his time to explore the complexities of his characters’ emotions and their responses to the changing world around them. While the plot is not driven by action or suspense, it is rich with character development and philosophical reflection, making it a deeply engaging read for those interested in themes of colonialism, identity, and personal growth.

Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, Staying On received widespread critical acclaim for its nuanced portrayal of post-colonial India and the personal repercussions of British imperialism. The novel won the Booker Prize in 1977 and is considered one of the most significant works in Scott’s Raj Quartet series. Its exploration of the emotional and psychological aftermath of colonial rule made it an important contribution to literature about the British Empire and its legacy.

The novel’s focus on the personal lives of the Tuckers—rather than on political events—has helped it maintain its relevance as a work that speaks to the individual human experience in the midst of historical change. It remains a key text in discussions of post-colonial literature and the emotional and psychological toll of imperialism.

Conclusion

Staying On is a deeply introspective and beautifully written exploration of the legacy of British colonialism, the complexity of personal relationships, and the difficulties of adapting to a rapidly changing world. Through the lives of the Tuckers, Paul Scott crafts a narrative that is as much about the passage of time as it is about the personal and emotional struggles that arise in the aftermath of empire. The novel’s exploration of post-colonial India, generational change, and the human condition makes it a timeless and essential work in the canon of 20th-century literature.