Indigo by Louis Fischer (Study Guide)

 

Indigo

by Louis Fischer

(Study Guide) 

Louis Fischer was a famous journalist from America who wrote about important events happening around the world. He was born in Philadelphia in 1896 and grew up in a family of immigrants.

He became well-known for reporting about Russia and the rise of the Bolsheviks in the 1920s. Louis Fischer wrote many books, but one of his most famous ones was about Mahatma Gandhi, who was a great leader in India. People really liked this book and thought it was excellent.

Louis Fischer also wrote books about other important leaders like Joseph Stalin from Russia and Mao Zedong from China. He studied their lives and ideas to help people understand them better.

He was a very good journalist because he always tried to find the truth and told people about things in a fair way. Some people didn't like his political views, but that didn't stop him from doing his job.

Louis Fischer continued to write about important things until he passed away in 1970. His work helped people understand the world better and learn about influential leaders who shaped history.

Summary

The story "Indigo" by Louis Fischer is about the struggle of Mahatma Gandhi to help the poor peasants of Champaran, Bihar, who were forced to grow indigo for the British planters. The planters had an agreement with the peasants that they would have to grow indigo on 15% of their land. However, when Germany developed synthetic indigo, the planters no longer needed the peasants' crops. They demanded compensation from the peasants for releasing them from the agreement. Most of the illiterate peasants agreed to the compensation, but some refused.

Gandhi was asked by one of the peasants, Rajkumar Shukla, to help the peasants who had refused to pay compensation. Gandhi agreed to go to Champaran and investigate the situation. When he arrived in Champaran, he was arrested by the British authorities. However, he was released after a few days and was able to meet with the peasants. He listened to their stories and learned about the hardships they had faced.

Gandhi then met with the planters and negotiated a settlement. The planters agreed to release the peasants from the indigo agreement without any compensation. This was a major victory for Gandhi and the peasants of Champaran. It showed that even the poor and illiterate could be empowered if they had someone like Gandhi to fight for their rights.

The story "Indigo" is a reminder of the importance of fighting for justice, even when it seems like the odds are stacked against you. It is also a story about the power of one person to make a difference in the lives of others.

key points of the story:

·      The importance of fighting for justice, even when it seems like the odds are stacked against you.

·      The power of one person to make a difference in the lives of others.

·      The importance of education and literacy.

·      The importance of standing up for your rights, even if you are poor and illiterate.

Analysis

The story "Indigo" by Louis Fischer is a powerful story about the importance of fighting for justice, even when it seems like the odds are stacked against you. It is also a story about the power of one person to make a difference in the lives of others.

The story begins with the peasants of Champaran being forced to grow indigo for the British planters. The planters had an agreement with the peasants that they would have to grow indigo on 15% of their land. However, when Germany developed synthetic indigo, the planters no longer needed the peasants' crops. They demanded compensation from the peasants for releasing them from the agreement. Most of the illiterate peasants agreed to the compensation, but some refused.

Gandhi was asked by one of the peasants, Rajkumar Shukla, to help the peasants who had refused to pay compensation. Gandhi agreed to go to Champaran and investigate the situation. When he arrived in Champaran, he was arrested by the British authorities. However, he was released after a few days and was able to meet with the peasants. He listened to their stories and learned about the hardships they had faced.

Gandhi then met with the planters and negotiated a settlement. The planters agreed to release the peasants from the indigo agreement without any compensation. This was a major victory for Gandhi and the peasants of Champaran. It showed that even the poor and illiterate could be empowered if they had someone like Gandhi to fight for their rights.

The story "Indigo" is a reminder of the importance of fighting for justice, even when it seems like the odds are stacked against you. It is also a story about the power of one person to make a difference in the lives of others.

The story also highlights the importance of education and literacy. The peasants of Champaran were illiterate, which made them easy targets for exploitation by the planters. Gandhi understood the importance of education and literacy, and he worked to educate the peasants so that they could stand up for their rights.

Finally, the story "Indigo" is a reminder of the importance of standing up for your rights, even if you are poor and illiterate. The peasants of Champaran were poor and illiterate, but they stood up for their rights and refused to be exploited by the planters. They were inspired by Gandhi's example, and they knew that they had a right to justice.

The story "Indigo" is a powerful and inspiring story that teaches us important lessons about justice, empowerment, and the power of one person to make a difference.

Theme

The main theme of the story "Indigo" by Louis Fischer is the importance of fighting for justice, even when it seems like the odds are stacked against you. The story also highlights the importance of education and literacy, and the importance of standing up for your rights, even if you are poor and illiterate.

 

Key themes of the story:

 

The importance of fighting for justice: The peasants of Champaran were being exploited by the British planters. They were forced to grow indigo on 15% of their land, even though they no longer needed the peasants' crops. Gandhi fought for the peasants' rights, and he eventually helped them to get out of the indigo agreement without having to pay compensation. This shows that it is important to fight for justice, even when it seems like the odds are stacked against you.

 

The importance of education and literacy: The peasants of Champaran were illiterate, which made them easy targets for exploitation by the planters. Gandhi understood the importance of education and literacy, and he worked to educate the peasants so that they could stand up for their rights. This shows that education and literacy are essential tools for empowerment.

 

The importance of standing up for your rights, even if you are poor and illiterate: The peasants of Champaran were poor and illiterate, but they stood up for their rights and refused to be exploited by the planters. They were inspired by Gandhi's example, and they knew that they had a right to justice. This shows that even the poor and illiterate can stand up for their rights if they are inspired by a leader who is willing to fight for them.

 

The story "Indigo" is a powerful and inspiring story that teaches us important lessons about justice, empowerment, and the power of one person to make a difference.

Major Characters of the story

 

Rajkumar Shukla: Shukla was a poor peasant from Champaran who was forced to grow indigo for the British planters. He was illiterate, but he was determined to fight for the rights of the peasants. He traveled to Calcutta to meet with Gandhi and ask him to help the peasants of Champaran.

 

Mahatma Gandhi: Gandhi was a leader of the Indian independence movement and a major figure in the struggle against British colonialism. He was a devout Hindu and a pacifist, and he believed in the power of non-violence to achieve social change. Gandhi agreed to help the peasants of Champaran, and he traveled to Champaran to investigate the situation. He met with the peasants and listened to their stories, and he eventually helped them to get out of the indigo agreement without having to pay compensation.

 

Kasturba Gandhi: Kasturba was Gandhi's wife. She was a strong and independent woman who supported Gandhi's work. She accompanied Gandhi to Champaran, and she helped him to care for the peasants and their families.

 

Dr. Rajendra Prasad: Prasad was a prominent lawyer in Bihar. He was a friend of Gandhi's, and he supported Gandhi's work in Champaran. He provided legal advice to Gandhi and the peasants, and he helped to negotiate a settlement with the planters.

 

Devdas Gandhi: Devdas was Gandhi's youngest son. He accompanied Gandhi to Champaran, and he helped him to care for the peasants and their families. He also helped to spread Gandhi's message of non-violence to the peasants.

 

These are just some of the major characters in the story "Indigo" by Louis Fischer. The story is full of other important characters, including the British planters, the lawyers who represented the planters, and the peasants who fought for their rights.

Rising Action

The rising action of the story "Indigo" by Louis Fischer is the series of events that lead up to the climax. The rising action begins with Rajkumar Shukla's journey to Calcutta to meet with Gandhi and ask him to help the peasants of Champaran. Gandhi agrees to help, and he travels to Champaran to investigate the situation. He meets with the peasants and listens to their stories, and he eventually helps them to get out of the indigo agreement without having to pay compensation.

 

The rising action of the story can be divided into three parts:

 

The peasants' initial struggle: The peasants of Champaran were being exploited by the British planters. They were forced to grow indigo on 15% of their land, even though they no longer needed the peasants' crops. They were also subjected to violence and intimidation by the planters.

 

Gandhi's arrival and investigation: Gandhi arrived in Champaran and met with the peasants. He listened to their stories and learned about the hardships they had faced. He also investigated the situation and gathered evidence of the planters' exploitation.

Gandhi's negotiations with the planters: Gandhi negotiated with the planters to get the peasants out of the indigo agreement without having to pay compensation. The planters were initially reluctant to agree, but they eventually relented.

 

The rising action of the story builds up the tension and suspense. The reader is eager to see how Gandhi will help the peasants and how the planters will react. The rising action also introduces the main characters and the conflict of the story.

Climax

The climax of the story "Indigo" by Louis Fischer is when Gandhi negotiates with the planters and gets the peasants out of the indigo agreement without having to pay compensation. This is a major victory for Gandhi and the peasants, and it shows that even the poor and illiterate can stand up for their rights if they are inspired by a leader who is willing to fight for them.

The climax of the story is preceded by a series of events that build up the tension and suspense. Gandhi arrives in Champaran and meets with the peasants. He listens to their stories and learns about the hardships they have faced. He also investigates the situation and gathers evidence of the planters' exploitation.

The planters are initially reluctant to agree to Gandhi's demands, but they eventually relent. This is a major victory for Gandhi and the peasants, and it shows that even the poor and illiterate can stand up for their rights if they are inspired by a leader who is willing to fight for them.

The climax of the story is also a turning point. After this point, the story moves towards a resolution. The peasants are no longer forced to grow indigo, and they are free to pursue their own lives. Gandhi's victory in Champaran is a major inspiration for the Indian independence movement, and it shows that nonviolent resistance can be an effective tool for social change.

The climax of the story is also a moment of great hope. The peasants have finally won their freedom, and they are free to build a better future for themselves. Gandhi's victory in Champaran is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future.

Falling Action

The falling action of the story "Indigo" by Louis Fischer is the series of events that follow the climax. The falling action begins with the planters' agreement to release the peasants from the indigo agreement without having to pay compensation. Gandhi and the peasants are victorious, and they are free to pursue their own lives.

 

The falling action of the story can be divided into two parts:

 

The peasants' freedom: The peasants are no longer forced to grow indigo, and they are free to pursue their own lives. They are grateful to Gandhi for his help, and they are inspired by his example.

 

Gandhi's legacy: Gandhi's victory in Champaran is a major inspiration for the Indian independence movement. It shows that nonviolent resistance can be an effective tool for social change. Gandhi's legacy continues to inspire people around the world today.

 

The falling action of the story brings the story to a close. The peasants have finally won their freedom, and Gandhi's legacy continues to inspire people around the world today.

 

Key events that happen in the falling action of the story:

 

·      The planters agree to release the peasants from the indigo agreement without having to pay compensation.

·      Gandhi and the peasants are victorious.

·      The peasants are grateful to Gandhi for his help.

·      Gandhi's victory in Champaran is a major inspiration for the Indian independence movement.

·      Gandhi's legacy continues to inspire people around the world today.

 

The falling action of the story brings the story to a close. The peasants have finally won their freedom, and Gandhi's legacy continues to inspire people around the world today.