Comments and discussion

When working with Mahatma Gandhi’s “Quit India” speech, you can also consider commenting further on the statements that are most interesting or controversial. In this section, we will give you advice on things you may want to comment on or discuss in this speech. Always remember to argue for your opinion and avoid making personal or emotional statements. A good discussion usually includes arguments both for and against the message of the speech.

One controversial statement you can focus on is Gandhi’s claim that England and America are not truly free:

Let me tell you that I do not regard England or for that matter America as free countries. They are free after their own fashion, free to hold in bondage coloured races of the earth. (…) The English and American teachers, their history, their magnificent poetry have not said that you shall not broaden the interpretation of freedom. And according to my interpretation of that freedom I am constrained to say they are strangers to that freedom which their teachers and poe...