“Your Gods and my Gods—do you or I know which are the stronger?”

The opening epigraph introduces the story’s conflict between the competing cultural beliefs of the English colonizers and the native people of India. This quote warns that Indian culture may be stronger than that of the English colonizers and foreshadows the ultimate failure of British rule in India.

“When men foregather from the uttermost ends of the Empire, they have a right to be riotous.” 

The narrator excuses the drunken New Year’s Eve exploits of his fellow colonizers, soldiers, and adventurers, suggesting that they are a scattered minority in a foreign land. When the men gather, they deserve to let their guard down. He appreciates the pluck and the solidarity of the men gathered “from around the Empire” (241). The quote reveals the narrator’s own cultural identification with the English.

“All gods have good points, just as have all priests.” 

The narrator reveals his personal open-mindedness towards religion. He is no more attached to the Church of England than he is to the Hindu religion, which enables him to perceive each religion as equally worthy of respect and consideration.