# Child Marriage explained — The Story of My Experiments with Truth

> Chapter companion for The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.

## What happens

Gandhi recounts his marriage at the age of thirteen, describing the circumstances, his feelings at the time, and the lasting regret he feels. He details the triple wedding arranged by his elders for convenience and economy, his father's accident on the way to the ceremony, and the innocent yet fateful beginning of his married life.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth and Self-Experimentation

Gandhi feels a painful duty to record his marriage honestly, despite the shame it brings, as part of his commitment to truth.

### Family and Personal Relationships

The chapter explores Gandhi's relationship with his parents, his father's sacrifice, and the beginning of his marital relationship.

## Character check-ins

### Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

The narrator, married at thirteen, reflects on the event with shame and regret.

### Kasturbai Gandhi

Gandhi's child bride, of the same age, with whom he began married life.

### Kaba Gandhi

Gandhi's father, who sustained injuries from a coach accident while traveling to the wedding.

## Key lines

> Much as I wish that I had not to write this chapter, I know that I shall have to swallow many such bitter draughts in the course of this narrative. And I cannot do otherwise, if I claim to be a worshipper of Truth.

Gandhi acknowledges the difficulty of recounting his child marriage, but insists it is necessary for his commitment to truth.

_This sets the tone for the chapter, emphasizing the theme of truth over personal comfort._

> I can see no moral argument in support of such a preposterously early marriage.

Gandhi condemns child marriage as morally indefensible.

_Reflects his later reformist views on the practice._

> Two innocent children all unwittingly hurled themselves into the ocean of life.

Gandhi describes himself and Kasturbai as naive children entering married life without understanding its implications.

_Highlights the innocence and lack of agency in child marriages._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-i-iii-child-marriage
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters