Letter To Lord Irwin Summary

Before the Salt March in 1930, Mohandas Gandhi wrote a letter to Lord Irwin, a representative of the British Crown. In the letter’s conclusion, Gandhi uses specific word choice, repetition, and a calm but firm tone to appeal to Lord Irwin and to present his case. Gandhi was very deliberate when it came to the words he used. This is especially true in his letter to Lord Irwin about the salt monopoly that the British had in India. In his letter, Gandhi uses words like “risk” and “evil” to present his argument. At the beginning of his conclusion, Gandhi states that he knows what he is attempting is considered by many “a mad risk” (2). His non-violent approach to the situation is arguably the best, but can also lead to detrimental consequences.

Gandhi presents an understanding of the idea that the greater the risk, the greater the reward. He understands that the protests against the monopoly could have repercussions, however, risks such as these are necessary to “deal with these evils” (47) that the British are imposing on India. The word evil in this statement serves to make Lord Irwin realize that the Indian population does not necessarily view the British themselves as evil, but their actions as such. Gandhi chose to use the words “risk” and “evil” because they showed his passion for the topic and his opinion on Britain’s actions. It is seen throughout his conclusion that Gandhi used specific word choice to present his argument to the representative of the British Crown, Lord Irwin. During this portion of the letter, Gandhi also utilizes repetition of his non-violent— but determined— intentions to appeal to Lord Irwin. The opening sentence of his conclusion contains the words “non-violence” (1). Gandhi makes it clear to Irwin from the beginning that he does not wish to engage in aggressive actions. He tells Lord Irwin that “[He] does not seek to harm [his]

Gandhi goes on to express his wishes to continue trade with the British but through “friendly negotiation” (32). He does not wish to sever their relationship completely, but to strengthen and alter it. In his closing statements, Gandhi tells Lord Irwin that should he be arrested, he hopes that “there will be tens of thousands ready, in a disciplined manner, to take up the work” (58-59). This is yet another time that Gandhi reiterates and stresses his non-violent yet assertive character. The repetition of this (relatively) good-hearted, kind nature is used to sway Lord Irwin to see Gandhi’s point. With the specific word choice and repetition, Gandhi uses a seemingly calm but firm tone to discuss the matter with Lord Irwin. Throughout the passage, there are no points when Gandhi’s words are directly threatening. He presents a calm demeanor, his words reflecting this. However, when reading between the lines of the letter, the firm and assertive undertone reveals itself. When talking about what he wants from India, he tells Irwin that he doesn’t want to harm Britain, but rather to “convert the British people through non-violence, and thus to make them see the wrong they have done to India”