Part 1, Chapters 4 through 6 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 4: Two Incidents Shape the Future

When Gandhi returns to India, he learns that his beloved mother died while he was away. His family decided not to send word to him in England as they knew he would be very upset. He does not do well as a lawyer in Rajkot or Bombay. One problem, Gandhi is still so shy it is hard for him to speak in open court.

One incident that changes Gandhi forever deals with his older brother, Laxmidas. The brother is holding an important government position but he fears a run-in with a British official will hamper further advancement. He calls on Gandhi, who knows this official casually, to intercede for him. When Gandhi visits the official, he is treated rudely and thrown out of the building. Gandhi decides he never wants to...