Reflections on Gandhi Summary

Although Gandhi was anti-British, his strongly non-violent methods appeared to benefit British rule, and the British government therefore thought of Gandhi somewhat favorably. He was similarly accepted by the Indian affluent classes because he simply urged, rather than demanded, that they share their wealth. Even though Gandhi's political views were not widely accepted in England, he was personally liked by nearly everyone. Gandhi was remarkably honest and forthright about his politics as well as his spiritual and personal life.

In early life, Gandhi was typically pro-European and tried to assimilate British culture. It was only in later life that he became politicized through his experiences of discrimination. Orwell rather admires Gandhi but does not see that his political theory can be separated from his religious belief. Orwell enumerates Gandhi's religious beliefs as including a desire to escape from the...