Throughout Hind Swaraj Gandhi constantly reminds his reader, both the
character and us, to look beyond the superficiality of a situation. I think
this is a key action in understanding Gandhi. He repeatedly emphasizes the
concept of understanding an entire situation beyond the superficiality brought
by preconception. This is done through a teacher – student relationship between
Editor (Gandhi) and Reader.
In the first interactions between
Editor and Reader, Editor tells Reader “you do not want to hear about the
well-wishers of India” (14-15). Reader has a shallow preconception of British
people such that he almost refuses to hear good things about them. Editor calls
this “a matter of shame” (15). Gandhi’s believes in the need for a deep
understanding of every issue, but does not think all people share this belief.
He is teaching a lesson to remind people to step beyond what they want to see
and actually view the world as it is.
For Reader, the English are the opposition, as
he argues against the National Congress that he sees as “perpetuating British
Rule” (14). In the section “Why was India lost?” Editor calls Reader out on his
notions of British fault. Instead Editor blames the acceptance India gave to
the East India Trading Company, and later the British ruling body (39). Reader
and Editor see that British Rule has taken the place of Indian Home Rule.
However, when Reader jumps to blame the British, Editor makes him step back and
look at the whole picture. Though the British rule is problematic, it was not
brought about solely by the British, but also by Indians. By seeing the whole
picture Gandhi (in the voice of Editor) identifies ways to begin to solve the
problem without direct conflict with the British. Instead of kicking out the
problematic British, Gandhi says that Indians need to solve the problem within
by rejecting the “modern civilization” brought by the British (34). Again
Gandhi rejects a superficial us versus them view and explores the buried roots
of the problem.
This is a lesson that can be
applied to all aspects of life. Gandhi fully acknowledges this, and he states
his purpose through Editor, saying “it is my duty patiently to try to remove
your prejudice” (17). Knowing that a problem has multiple sides, that there is
not a simple right and wrong to see at first glance is the most important step
in solving that problem, and Gandhi is trying to teach his readers this lesson to benefit humanity and to achieve his goal of Swaraj.
I, too, found it interesting that Gandhi partially ascribes British rule to the attitude of Indians. As he puts it, "The English have not taken India; we have given it to them" (38). This relates directly back to the concept of the Swaraj because, according to him, Indians have opted for the easy protection of the English rather than for embracing their own strength and essence. It was simpler to gain riches from trading with England than it was to remain independent. Here, I think Gandhi demonstrates the difficulty (and thus the nobility) of attaining Swaraj: societies can lose their identities without even realizing it, as was the case with the trade-receptive Indians.
ReplyDeleteJosh brings up a really interesting point that now, looking back on the reading, I can see very clearly. I think another really good example of Gandhi wanting to take a look at the whole picture is on pages 16 and 17. The Reader is very opposed to listening to the opinion of any English man because they are the reason that India does not have home rule. However, the Editor asserts that he "can never subscribe to the statement that all Englishmen are bad. Many Englishmen desire Home Rule for India" (17). Once again, the Editor is stressing that one segment can not be taken and analyzed as for the whole.
ReplyDeleteJosh, you bring up this sort of teacher student relationship that the Editor and Reader have. The Reader makes grand remarks that he is not really able to support such as about how he disapproves of Congress (he does so because he feels, "it is an instrument of British Rule"[14]). On the other hand the Editor (Gandhi) takes the time to illustrate his opinions with very specific images and relationships. Take for example how he relates the Government of England to, "a sterile woman and a prostitute"(29). The one thing though that I think we must remember though is that this is a pretty one sided conversation. The Editor has the knowledge and the Reader is learning. We are only getting Gandhi's side defended. On the other hand, this is an effective means of communicating Gandhi's message because I think it helps to guide us through his thinking and logic.
ReplyDeleteI found that the way in which Gandhi structures the relationship between the editor and reader to emphasize what Josh describes as his want of the view of the whole picture. We have a less informed, yet eager to learn, reader who asks questions, however is impatient for the answers, and an editor that is trying to impress upon the reader his response utilizing background information. For example, the reader states, "stay, stay, you are going too far, you are straying away from my question... I shall be pleased if you will confine yourself" (14). It is clear that the reader only desires a direct answer, however the editors reply that he "cannot afford to be likewise" (14) impatient and rush through an answer implies that in order to fully understand the reader needs all the information.
ReplyDelete"It is a bad habit to say that another man's thoughts are bad and ours only are good, and that those holding different views from ours are the enemies of the country" (17). The Editor emphasizes to the Reader that villainizing others, like Josh says, only further inflates the superficiality of their conception of the British. By further understanding the British, and understanding that the British people are subject to British "civilization," more rational decisions can be made regarding Indian independence.
ReplyDelete