The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
The Calm After the Storm explained
After the mob attack, Gandhi is taken to see Mr.
What happens
After the mob attack, Gandhi is taken to see Mr. Escombe and gives an interview to The Natal Advertiser, refuting charges against him. The press declares him innocent, and the incident enhances his prestige and professional practice. However, it also leads to new restrictive bills in Natal. Gandhi increases public work, expands the Natal Indian Congress, and purchases property for a permanent fund, though he later reflects on the moral dangers of such funds.
Themes in this chapter
Service and Community Leadership
Gandhi expands the Natal Indian Congress, raises funds, and purchases property to sustain public work, reflecting his commitment to community organization.
Self-Discipline and Simplicity
Gandhi argues against permanent funds for public institutions, advocating for day-to-day public support as a test of integrity and moral discipline.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Narrates the aftermath of the lynching, his interview, and his work expanding the Natal Indian Congress.
- Mr. Harry Escombe
Gandhi is taken to see him after the police station stay.
- Sir Pherozeshah Mehta
Credited with advising Gandhi to deliver only written speeches in India, which helped refute charges.
- Mansukhlal Naazar
Stays with Gandhi in Durban and helps with public work.
- Adamji Miyakhan
Discharged his duty with great credit in Gandhi's absence, increasing membership and funds of the Natal Indian Congress.
Key passages
“Thus the lynching ultimately proved to be a blessing for me, that is, for the cause. It enhanced the prestige of the Indian community in South Africa and made my work easier.”
The mob attack turned out to be beneficial, as it increased the Indian community's standing and facilitated Gandhi's efforts.
Gandhi reframes a violent incident as a strategic advantage.
“A permanent fund carries in itself the seed of the moral fall of the institution.”
Endowments can lead to moral decay in public institutions by making them unaccountable.
Gandhi critiques the reliance on permanent funds, advocating for annual public subscriptions as a measure of accountability.