Gandhi: Nonviolence

Essay # 54846

History > Asian
History > Leaders
Philosophy > Ethics

Gandhi: Nonviolence

Gandhi's unique perspective on nonviolence and his significance and contributions to history and mankind

2,354 words () | 19 sources | MLA | 2004 United States

Paper Summary:

Mahatma Gandhi was a representational character, meaning he symbolizes a particular set of values to a culture, and a particular mythology is therefore associated with him. This paper looks at how Gandhi represents the nonviolent lifestyle; nonviolent action became not passive resistance, but a technique capable of taking the initiative in active struggle. It explores how the combination of these various factors resulted in his important contributions to civil rights history. Though flawed, Gandhi exploited his humanity to the fullest extent and worked to live his life as an example that would be carried throughout time as a symbol of justice and harmony.

From the Paper:

"Dave Dellenger said, "The major advances in nonviolence have not come from people who have approached nonviolence as an end in itself, but from persons who were passionately striving to free themselves from social injustice." In 1893, Mahatma Gandhi received an offer from Dada Abdullah & Co. to instruct their counsel in a lawsuit in South Africa; having failed to establish himself as a lawyer in Bombay, Gandhi jumped at the opportunity. Upon his arrival, one of the first things he noticed was the aura of racial segregation and portentousness. After about a week's stay in Durban, Gandhi left for Pretoria, where his presence was needed in connection with a lawsuit. A first class ticket was purchased for him by his client."