The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
In London at Last explained
Gandhi arrives in London for the first time, struggling with seasickness, shyness, and the challenges of adapting to English customs and etiquette.
What happens
Gandhi arrives in London for the first time, struggling with seasickness, shyness, and the challenges of adapting to English customs and etiquette. He adheres to his vegetarian vow despite advice to eat meat, stays in a hotel and then private rooms, and receives guidance from Dr. P. J. Mehta on European manners. He feels homesick and isolated but resolves to complete his three-year stay.
Themes in this chapter
Vegetarianism and Dietary Discipline
Gandhi steadfastly refuses to eat meat despite advice from an English passenger, honoring his promise to his mother.
Education and Self-Improvement
Gandhi learns European etiquette from Dr. Mehta and resolves to adapt to London life to complete his legal studies.
Family and Personal Relationships
Gandhi is haunted by memories of his mother and home, feeling deep homesickness and loneliness.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Arrives in London, struggles with shyness, language barriers, and cultural adaptation; adheres to vegetarian vow; feels homesick but resolves to stay.
- Tryambakrai Mazmudar
Fellow passenger who advises Gandhi to socialize and practice English; shares legal experiences.
- Dr. P. J. Mehta
Visits Gandhi at the Victoria Hotel, gives him a hearty greeting, and provides lessons in European etiquette after Gandhi mishandles his top-hat.
- Dadabhai Naoroji
One of the four people to whom Gandhi carries a letter of introduction.
Key passages
“I had to frame every sentence in my mind, before I could bring it out.”
Gandhi struggled to speak English fluently and had to mentally prepare each sentence before speaking.
Highlights his initial language barrier and shyness.
“If it be found impossible to get on without it, I will far rather go back to India than eat meat in order to remain there.”
Gandhi declared that he would return to India rather than break his vegetarian vow to survive in England.
Demonstrates his strong commitment to his promise to his mother.
“I thus found myself between Scylla and Charybdis. England I could not bear, but to return to India was not to be thought of.”
Gandhi felt trapped between the misery of staying in England and the impossibility of returning home.
Captures his emotional turmoil and determination to persevere.