Part 2: Chapters 16 and 17 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 16: The Salt of Freedom

India sees much unrest in 1928. There is an assassination of a police official in Bengal. The killer escapes and becomes a hero to the people. Jawaharlal Nehru is emerging as a leader of the young and is not in agreement with Gandhi on non-violent rebellion. After weeks of meditation, Gandhi informs the British Viceroy that civil disobedience will take place on March 11th, since he fears the promises for India's change of status will never be fulfilled.

On March 11, Gandhi and 75 male members of the ashram start their march south to the sea. It takes them 24 days to walk the 241 miles. On the way, Gandhi tells village people they pass to make homemade clothing, reject alcohol and drugs, abandon child marriage and live pure lives. Many villagers attach themselves to the march...