“Quit India” Speech By Mahatma Gandhi

“Quit India” Speech By Mahatma Gandhi Jessica Arellano

SpeakerOAPS • Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi known as Mahatma Gandhi (1869- 1948) was an anti-war activist. • Born in Porbandar, India. • Studied Law and came to advocate for the rights of Indians. • He became a leader of India’s independent movement. • Organized boycotts against British institutions in peaceful forms. • He was killed by a fanatic in 1948.

SOccasionAPS • Given on August 8, 1942 at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay (now Mumbai.)

SOAudiencePS • India’s Muslim population • The All-India Congress Committee (AICC) • Central decision-making assembly of the Indian National Congress Party.

SOAPurposeS • The AICC were going to vote for or against the Quit India Movement. • Gandhi wanted to persuade the AICC to support and vote for the movement.

SOAPSubject • Was the second of three speeches given for the movement. • The Quit India Movement • Was a civil disobedience movement launched in India in August 1942. • The British refused to grant immediate independence.

Tone • Persuasive and Effective • “In the democracy which I have envisaged, a democracy established by non-violence, there will be equal freedom for all. Everybody will be his own master. It is to join a struggle for such democracy I invite you today.” • Forthright • “Ours is not a drive for power, but purely a non-violent fight for India’s independence.”

Ethos • Gandhi had automatic ethos. • “There are people who ask me whether I am the same man that I was in 1920, or whether there has been any change in me.” • “Let me, however hasten to assure that I am the same Gandhi as I was in 1920, I have not changed in any fundamental respect.”

Pathos • Gandhi is very direct to his audience (the AICC) and builds a connection. • “Before you discuss the resolution, let me place before you one or two things, I want you to understand two things very clearly and to consider them from the same point of view form which I am placing them before you. I ask you to consider it form my point of view, because if you approve of it, you will be enjoined to carry out all I say.”

Pathos (continued) • Muslim Audience and beliefs. • “I want you to know and feel that there is nothing but purest Ahimsa in all that I am saying and doing today. The draft resolution of the Working Committee is based on Ahimsa, the contemplated struggle similarly has its roots in Ahimsa. If, therefore, there is any among you who has lost fait in Ahimsa or is wearied of it, let him not vote for this resolution.” *Ahimsa- is a term meaning “to not injure” refraining from causing pain to any living creature

Logos • Democracy • “I read Carlyle’s French Resolution while I was in prison, and Pandit Jawaharlal has told me something about the Russian revolution. But it is my conviction that in as much as these struggles were fought with the weapon of violence they failed to realize the democratic ideal.”

Syntax • “We must, therefore, purge ourselves of hatred. Speaking for myself, I can say that I have never felt any hatred. As a matter of fact, I feel myself to be a greater friend of the British now than ever before.” • Very Optimistic!!

Diction • “People may laugh, nevertheless that is my claim. At a time when I may have to launch the biggest struggle of my life, I may not harbor hatred against anybody.” • Could have said “hate” but chose to say “harbor hatred”.

Rhetorical Strategies • Allusion: • Ahimsa, God, Hindus and Muslims. • Carlyle’s French Resolution and Pandit Jawaharlal • Anaphora: • “A non-violent soldier of freedom will covet nothing for himself, he fights only for the freedom of his country. The Congress is unconcerned as to who will rule, when freedom is attained.”

Sources • http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/History/Gandhi/gandhi.html • http://www.biography.com/people/mahatma-gandhi-9305898 • http://www.dlshq.org/teachings/ahimsa.htm

“Quit India” Speech By Mahatma Gandhi