# A Tragedy (Continued) 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 secret meat-eating experiment with a friend, the guilt and deception it caused towards his parents, his narrow escape from a brothel, and the toxic influence of this friend on his relationship with his wife, leading to jealousy and regret.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth and Self-Experimentation

Gandhi experiments with meat-eating as a 'reform' but is tormented by the deception and lying to his parents, ultimately choosing truth over the experiment.

### Family and Personal Relationships

The chapter explores Gandhi's relationship with his parents (lying to his mother), his friend (toxic influence), and his wife (jealousy and cruelty).

### Self-Discipline and Simplicity

Gandhi resolves to abstain from meat until his parents' death, prioritizing self-discipline over the perceived duty of meat-eating.

## Character check-ins

### Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Describes his internal conflict, guilt, and decision to abstain from meat while his parents are alive; reflects on his moral lapses and jealousy towards his wife.

### Kasturbai Gandhi

Mentioned as the wife who suffered from Gandhi's unfounded suspicions fueled by his friend, and as a symbol of tolerance.

## Key lines

> I got over my dislike for bread, forswore my compassion for the goats, and became a relisher of meat-dishes, if not of meat itself.

I overcame my aversion to bread, abandoned my pity for the goats, and began to enjoy meat dishes, even if not the meat itself.

_Gandhi describes his gradual acclimatization to meat-eating under his friend's influence._

> I went into the jaws of sin, but God in His infinite mercy protected me against myself.

I entered a place of vice, but divine mercy saved me from my own actions.

_Gandhi reflects on his visit to a brothel and his escape from physical sin._

> I can never forget or forgive myself for having driven my wife to that desperation.

I will never forget or pardon myself for causing my wife such despair.

_Gandhi expresses remorse for his jealous behavior towards Kasturbai._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-i-vii-a-tragedy-continued
- 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