# Woes of Third-Class Passengers 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 the hardships of third-class train travel in India, including difficulty obtaining tickets, overcrowding, and the guard's demand for excess fare. He reflects on the rudeness and selfishness of passengers and his own compromise of truth when allowing his wife to use a second-class bathroom.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth and Self-Experimentation

Gandhi reflects on his failure to uphold truth when he allowed his wife to use a second-class bathroom, citing the Upanishadic veil of maya.

### Social Justice and Anti-Colonialism

Highlights the systemic neglect and injustice faced by third-class passengers, blaming both railway authorities and passenger behavior.

### Self-Discipline and Simplicity

Gandhi's choice to travel third class despite physical hardship reflects his commitment to simplicity and identification with the common people.

## Character check-ins

### Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Narrates his struggles as a third-class passenger and his regret over compromising truth for his wife's comfort.

### Maganlal Gandhi

Travels with Gandhi and manages to secure a seat in third class at Mogalsarai.

### Kasturbai Gandhi

Gandhi's wife, who accompanies him and is allowed to use a second-class bathroom.

## Key lines

> Might was right, and passengers, who were forward and indifferent to others, coming one after another, continued to push me out.

The strong dominated, and aggressive, inconsiderate passengers repeatedly shoved me aside.

_Describes the chaotic and unfair process of buying third-class tickets._

> The face of truth is hidden behind the golden veil of maya, says the Upanishad.

Truth is obscured by the deceptive allure of illusion, as the Upanishad teaches.

_Gandhi uses this quote to explain his lapse in truthfulness due to attachment to his wife._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-v-woes-of-third-class-passengers
- 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