# Henry Polak — The Story of My Experiments with Truth character guide

> Henry Polak in The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Henry Polak, Mr. Polak, Polak

**First appearance:** 0057-part-iii-i-rumblings-of-the-storm

## Snapshot

A Jewish English journalist whose friendship and vegetarian convictions helped steady Gandhi's dietetic and ethical experiments.

## Who they are

Polak moves through Gandhi's South African years as confidant, publicist, and fellow seeker after a disciplined life. His interest in vegetarianism and health reform intersects with Gandhi's own evolving experiments, where diet begins as bodily care and ends as spiritual practice. He represents the network of sympathetic outsiders whose intellectual companionship shaped Gandhi's public work and private discipline alike.

## In the story

### [The Black Plague—II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xvi-the-black-plague-ii)

Mentioned as having been secured through Gandhi's letter to the press about the plague.

### [The Magic Spell of a Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xviii-the-magic-spell-of-a-book)

Subeditor of The Critic; meets Gandhi at a vegetarian restaurant and gives him Ruskin's Unto This Last.

### [Polak Takes the Plunge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxi-polak-takes-the-plunge)

Joins the Phoenix Settlement after being inspired by Gandhi's changes, then leaves to qualify as an attorney in Gandhi's office.

### [Whom God Protects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxii-whom-god-protects)

Gandhi persuades him to marry immediately; he marries Mrs. Polak with Gandhi as best man.

### [A Peep Into the Household](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxiii-a-peep-into-the-household)

Engages in heated discussions with Gandhi about English education for children; participates in hand-grinding and household work.

### [The Zulu “Rebellion”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxiv-the-zulu-rebellion)

Takes over a smaller house after Gandhi vacates the Johannesburg home.

### [A Spiritual Dilemma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxxix-a-spiritual-dilemma)

Sent a cable questioning the consistency of Gandhi's war service with his profession of ahimsa.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/characters/henry_polak
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/characters