# European Contacts (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 experiences hiring European stenographers in Johannesburg, highlighting the dedicated service of Miss Dick and Miss Schlesin. He praises their lack of color prejudice, their sacrifice, and their invaluable contributions to his work and the satyagraha movement, concluding with Gokhale's high esteem for Miss Schlesin.

## Themes in this chapter

### Service and Community Leadership

Miss Schlesin's selfless service, managing funds and leading the satyagraha movement during imprisonments, exemplifies dedication to the cause.

### Truth and Self-Experimentation

Gandhi's commitment to truth is reflected in his candid portrayal of Miss Schlesin's character and his willingness to sign her letters without revision, trusting her loyalty and English.

## Character check-ins

### Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Narrates his need for clerical help and his hiring of European stenographers in Johannesburg.

### Hermann Kallenbach

Introduced Miss Schlesin to Gandhi and worked closely with her.

### Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Praised Miss Schlesin as the foremost among Gandhi's coworkers for her sacrifice, purity, and fearlessness.

## Key lines

> She had no objection to earning an honest livelihood, wherever available, and she was in need. So the agent sent her on to me. She immediately prepossessed me.

Miss Dick was willing to work for anyone honestly and needed a job, so the agent referred her to Gandhi, who was immediately impressed by her.

_Highlights Miss Dick's lack of prejudice and Gandhi's positive first impression._

> I have rarely met with the sacrifice, the purity and the fearlessness I have seen in Miss Schlesin.

Gokhale said he had seldom encountered such selflessness, moral integrity, and courage as he observed in Miss Schlesin.

_Gokhale's highest praise for Miss Schlesin among Gandhi's coworkers._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xii-european-contacts-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