Analyzing Gandhis Letter

Questions 15: worth 10 points each

1. List 10 words in the first several lines of the letter that set a positive tone for the letter.
Humble, cooperated, believe, free, voluntary, benefit, fulfillment, equal status, trustful,
good intentions.

2. What is the purpose of listing the examples of the authors service to the British Empire?
He is building a relationship with the Englishmen, to whom this letter is addressed. He is
showing that he was basically one of them but how his mind was changed.

3. List at least three examples of the British governments impact on India.

The empire takes a lot of Indias resources away, a more and more degrading life for the
native Indians, and not doing anything to help alieve the fact that so many Indians live in
poverty.

4. What does Gandhi suggest as the reason why the British should respect non-cooperation
efforts?
He says that all of the ill-will wished by the Indians towards the British would be
suppressed if they left him alone and let him work with his people, and that they have the
power to treat Indians better and remove the causes for any ill-will.

5. What action is Gandhi asking the Englishmen to take in the closing section of the letter?

He is asking them to remove the causes for all of the non-cooperation, make Mr. Lloyd
George redeem his promises, and treat every Indian as your equal.

Short essay questions: Answer questions 6 and 7 in paragraphs of at least eight to 10 complete
sentences, with supporting evidence from the text. Each response is worth 25 points.
6. Explain how Gandhis non-cooperation concept is supported by the diction of his open
letter to the Englishmen in India.
Gandhi is not threatening the English, he is just asking them to help his people. He does
not do anything more than tell them his woes and that he plans to protest through the
means of non-cooperation. He tells them in his letter that even if he had the power, he
would not raise a hand to stop them. He does not think that violence is a permanent
means to attain peace. He doesnt use any harsh words at any point in his letter. He chose
all of his words carefully, and they all have a more peaceful connotation attached to them
so he doesnt come across the wrong way. He tells them that he was once one of them
and that he understands their side, but the people of India are in dire need of some help.

7. Explain how Gandhis non-cooperation concept is supported by the format and examples
of his open letter to the Englishmen in India.
Gandhi opens his letter by pointing out that he has always cooperated with the British.
He gives many examples of things he has done and times in which he laid down his life
for the betterment of the Empire. He explains how at one time, he believed that the
British were helping India with all of the things they do. But, now he understands that
they are not here with good intentions. He wants nothing more than to get equal rights
for his people. He brings the reader on this journey of having once been a member of the
empire, to completely changing sides in order to get the British readers to sympathize
with him at first and get where hes coming from. He repeatedly tells the reader that he
has no intention of attaining equal rights for India through violent means. The whole
letter cleverly carries the reader through it and made you feel like Gandhi is on your side
to try and get you to understand his point.