Essay Questions

According to Mahatma Gandhi, what is the primary duty of an individual to his community?

In his writings, Mahatma Gandhi argues that each individual has to put the interest of the community first. He adds that it is good for one to go an extra mile to make his community better. This explains why he chose a different route which is serving and liberating his community from the colonial rule. The path he chose in his life was to first benefit the community before addressing his needs and desires. He did not fear persecution as long as he served his community.

Explain how the theme of oppression and sacrifice is portrayed in the Gandhi: Selected Political Writings by Mahatma Gandhi.

A detailed analysis of the political writings of Gandhi reveal that he chooses to be the voice of purpose in his community a fact that exposes him to religious sacrifice and coercion. By accepting to be the voice of his community, he agrees to put his life in great danger because this does not anger well with the colonial masters. His primary goal is to bring change and freedom to his community. Gandhi talks about Christ’s persecution which according to him is a good course to save humanity.

Is Jesus symbolically used by Mahatma Gandhi?

In his political writings, Gandhi takes a substantial amount of his time to study Christ’s teachings as postulated in the gospel. He learns how Jesus accepted to suffer for the sake of saving humanity. Therefore, Jesus is used in his writings to represent sacrifice. Jesus has not put his interests first but those of human beings. Gandhi decides to follow the example of Jesus to put the interests of community first.