"If you are a minority of one, the truth is still the truth."
"Poverty is the worst form of violence."
1. The opening scene of the movie is a reenactment of Gandhi’s assassination. State 2 factors that make the murder a surprising one.
2. The next scene takes place in S. Africa when Gandhi was beginning his career as a barrister. What does his experience on the train say about British society?
3. When Gandhi meets with his colleagues in S. Africa he is shocked by the racism. What is Gandhi’s reaction?
4. During Gandhi’s first public meeting, he outlines his methods for fighting an unjust law. What is the outcome of his protest?
5. Gandhi meets a sympathetic English clergyman, and they walk through an impoverished and racist neighborhood. What book does Gandhi quote when they face a group of yahoos?
6. Life in the Gandhi ashram (a Hindi word for community) is an experiment. What is the great social class taboo he believes must be changed?
7. The Christian minister gives a sermon which supports Gandhi and his social protest. What is the reaction of the majority of attendees?
8. Compare the clothing of Gandhi to the dress of the other Indian leaders. What point was being made by Gandhi?
9. Describe the farming system established in India by British colonists.
10. Gandhi tells the American minister that he can do the most good by exiting the protest movement. Why did Gandhi push away this hard-working supporter?
11. Why does General Dyer massacre the gathering of Indian Sikhs in their non-violent meeting?
12. What are Gandhi’s 2 most important goals in building an independent India?
a) Hindu-Muslim unity b) Recognition for the Untouchable caste.
13. What is the purpose of Gandhi’s fast?
Identify the following with a brief phrase or sentence.
14. Kasturba “Ba” Gandhi - the wife and partner of Gandhiji.
15. General Jan Christian Smuts - governor of South Africa during Gandhi's protests.
16. Pandit Nehru - closest to Gandhi of all the Home Rule politicians; he was the first Prime Minister when India became independent.
17. Mohamed Ali Jinnah - Muslim leader in Gandhi's political circle.
18. Margaret Bourke-White - award-winning American photo-journalist and pioneer female photog.
19. Sikh - a religion of India that is blend between Hinduism and Islam and is common to the Punjab region.
20. Bhagavad Gita - an ancient holy book of Hinduism.
21. British Empire - the world's dominant power during the 18th and 19th centuries.
22. Ashram - a community in which a group of people share their resources.
23. Untouchables - the lowest caste of India.
24. Non-violent resistance - used by both Gandhi and MLK, Jr.
25. Indigo - plant that produces a blue dye.
26. Mahatma - "Great soul."
27. Dharasana Salt Works - site of the Salt Tax protest; near Porbandar.
28. Pakistan - nation partitioned from India in 1947 as a haven for Muslims.
29. New Delhi, India, January 30, 1948 - Gandhi's assassination.
30. Why does the director choose to open the biography with Gandhi’s death?
31. What is sedition? calling for the overthrow of a government.
32. As India’s independence becomes imminent, the conflict among Indians increases. What is the cause of the conflict? Hindu vs. Muslim, based on ancient grudges. How does Gandhi suggest resolving this conflict? He asks everyone to pray; to see their neighbors as brothers instead of people divided by religion. He goes on a fast to get everyone's attention.
33. In the 1930’s millions of Indians were unemployed. How did Gandhi protest the system that idled the farmers? - He proposed that Indians wear homespun cloth and use a spinning wheel to make their thread and clothing. In so doing they would boycott the fabric from England.
34. When India gained its independence from Great Britain, who started fighting? Rioting between Hindus and Muslims was widepread.
35. Why did British attempts to control India fail? Though they were successful in controlling India for some 300 years, the British eventually were repelled by Indian non-cooperation.
36. What lessons do you draw from Gandhi's life story?
37. Why did people follow Gandhi despite the difficulties in it?
Monday, April 09, 2012
Gandhi: "An eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind."
