Kanthapura

As Chapter 4 opens and a new day dawns, the village is busy with craft and trade. Moorthy, however, has other plans, returning to the village with books and handspun clothes. He visits his mother and finds Narsamma distraught at the possibility of excommunication. She tries to kick him out of the house and orders him not to return until he has been cleansed by the Swami. She leaves her house, wandering the streets and reacting with rage to everyone she meets, but soon calms down and returns to look for her son. She instead finds Bhatta waiting for her. Bhatta tries to explain that he never said he would excommunicate Moorthy, but only threatened to if he continued interacting with the Pariahs. He appeals to her to reach out to her son before it’s too late, but Rangamma has told Bhatta that Moorthy is looking for him. Bhatta finds Moorthy is becoming more radical and disrespectful, and he warns Narsamma that they are running out of options. Soon, he will have to report Moorthy to the Swami. When Moorthy returns to the house, Narsamma is sobbing. She refuses to talk to Moorthy. She goes into the garden and prays for Gandhi to be destroyed. They do not speak again, and Narsamma soon grows thinner and weaker from stress. Moorthy continues to go more and more into the Pariah quarters, and eventually the Swami sends word that Moorthy has been excommunicated—along with his whole family and all generations to come. Narsamma, in her grief, walks out into the cold, and the next morning is found dead. Moorthy temporarily disappears from the village, and eventually returns to live in Rangamma’s house. He becomes only more dedicated to the ways of Gandhi, seeking out the Pariahs wherever they may be to spread goods and philosophy to them.

In Chapter 5, the reader is introduced to the world of Skeffington Coffee Estate, one of the largest and wealthiest locations near Kanthapura. Skeffington has been standing as long as anyone can remember, and employs many workers, primarily lower-caste. The Sahib who runs it has a good reputation and is seen as a jolly man, but he runs a tight ship. Workers are told they will get sweets if they work well and a beating if they do not carry their weight. He is almost worshipped, as it is common for the workers to kiss his feet at the end of a workday to thank him. The many workers at the estates, especially the older ones, know how to please him and how to best take advantage of his behavior to allow them the maximum freedom. The workers who toil in the fields often encounter poisonous snakes, and even their seemingly secure and comfortable jobs are filled with danger. The main workers, Rachanna, Chandranna, Mandanna, and Siddayya, have formed a sort of family in their experiences as they work. However, dysentery and other illnesses eventually run through the community and many deaths follow. The old Sahib eventually dies and his nephew takes over. Although the nephew is kinder than his uncle, he is a lecherous young man and frequently harasses the women who work there. At one point, he murders a man who refuses to give him his daughter’s hand, and then pays off the family to keep the law away. When Bade Khan comes to the estate, the new Sahib looks forward to having the law at his disposal, but the Pariahs are becoming less and less tolerant of the Sahib’s ways, and have asked Moorthy to come to speak to them.

Chapter 6 follows Moorthy’s visit to the estate, as Rachanna watches carefully for his arrival. Although he is looking forward to it, many of the other workers are dubious or worried about the consequences. However, when Moorthy finally arrives, he is met not by his potential followers, but by Bade Khan. Although Khan tries to run him off, Moorthy asserts that the workers are not slaves and have every right to speak to him. The workers attempt to defend Moorthy, but Khan reacts violently, assaulting Moorthy. The workers attack Bade Khan in retaliation and nearly rip the beard from his face. Khan vows to have them all arrested as Moorthy is quickly led away from the estate. The next morning, Rachanna and his family are rousted by the estate’s security and told they must leave. Although Rachanna insists he will not leave until he is properly paid, Bade Khan arrives and the family is driven from the estate with whips. The family stops to pray to the Goddess Kenchamma and are then met by Moorthy, who convinces Patel Range Gowda to give the family refuge in Kanthapura. This incident leads Moorthy to become more serious and calm, and institute a campaign known as “Don’t-touch-the-government.”

As Chapter 7 begins, Moorthy tells Rangamma of his intention to fast in repentance for the violence done because of him. Although Rangamma tells him it wasn’t his fault, he insists that all things are connected and he bears part of the blame. Although she comes to him at the temple and tries to get him to eat, Moorthy vows to consume nothing but salted water for three days. He spends his time praying and manages to keep his composure even as Venkamma comes to taunt him, accusing him of corrupting the village. Moorthy vows to love his enemies in the way Mahatma Gandhi would. He thinks of traditional Indian fables his mother taught him, and when Ratna comes to visit him, the sight of this old friend cheers him. Moorthy’s feelings towards Ratna begin to change, and he forms a connection with the younger girl. He teaches her how to pray in the way he does, and they stay together until her mother comes to take her home. Many people in the village come to watch if Moorthy will make it through his fast, and many mock him, but the weakened Moorthy takes the opportunity to preach to them and spread his belief in nonviolence. An angry Bhatta, insults him and vows to denounce him publicly, but Moorthy stays firm. On the third day of his fast, Moorthy feels closer to his faith than ever, but is extremely weak. He faints, and although Rangamma begs him to end his fast, he persists until the time period is over. Despite his weakness, he then insists on leading a bhajan, or religious musical ceremony, that night. Most of the village attends, even Bade Khan, though just as an observer. Moorthy feels at peace, and the next morning breaks the fast before heading out to spread his campaign once again.