Quit India

As in most speeches, Gandhi’s “Quit India” address is highly tailored to his present and future audiences, including the All India Congress in addition to thousands of others gathered there that day. To be as effective as possible, Gandhi layers his speeches with appeals. He also employs specific references, juxtaposes ideas, and uses lofty language to create a call to action toward independence. The overarching structure of his speeches is practical and strategic. The first two speeches are delivered in Hindi and are very specific to the business of the All India Congress. The first speech sets up the vote for the resolution, and the second speech is Gandhi’s attempt to unify all the factions that still differ after the vote. The final speech, delivered in English, broadens the scope of his message to the wider world and attempts to connect India’s independence to larger themes of freedom worldwide.

Understanding that he is asking a lot of his audience through his “do or die” message, he first works to establish credibility and trust through ethical appeals (ethos). He says, “I want you to know that there is nothing but the purest