They've come because of Moorthy and all this Gandhi affair. He with his kitchen she-friends and all this bragging city-talk!
-- Waterfall Venkamma (chapter 2)

Importance: Waterfall Venkamma's resistance to Moorthy's ideas emphasizes the division between village and city. This important distinction carries not only geographic differences but also conflicts surrounding tradition and culture. For Brahmins in Kanthapura, the city represents a dangerous place where tradition is discarded and religion disrespected. Waterfall Venkamma uses "city" in a derogatory sense to diminish Moorthy's ideas and highlight how they have come to "pollute" the village.

Our country is being bled to death by foreigners. We have to protect our Mother
-- Moorthy (chapter 2)

Importance: Both Gandhi and Moorthy's movements are centered around the conflict of foreign rule. Here, Moorthy displays the theme of nationalism prevalent throughout the novel, as he calls for people of the village to take actions to support self-rule in India. This includes the spinning of yarn, which is...