Chapter 2 - Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom
Writer of the story: Nelson Rolihlahla MandelaThinking about the text:
Question 1: Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Answer: Such a large number of international leaders attended the inauguration to be a part of it and as a gesture of solidarity from international community to the idea of end of apartheid. It was the significance of the victory of good over evil and triumph of a society without any discrimination.
Question 2: What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?
Answer: By saying that he is simply the sum of all those African patriots, Mandela wants to pay tribute to all the people who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. He says that the is grateful to those who had gone before him because those heroes of the past had paved the path of co-operation and unity for him. Therefore, he could try to come to power to bring equality for his people with their support.
Question 3: Would you agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”? How does Mandela illustrate this? Can you add your own examples to this argument?
Answer: I agree with the statement that depths of oppression create heights of character. Nelson Mandela illustrates this by giving examples of great heroes of South Africa like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and others who were inspired to sacrifice their lives in the long freedom struggle.
India is full of such examples, during our freedom there was a galaxy of leaders of great character and the oppression of British rule created and encouraged people of noble character like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Lala Lajpath Rai, Jawaharlal Nehru, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh and many more. If we compare them with the quality of political leaders India is having today, then Nelson Mandela seems to be absolutely right.
Question 4: How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Answer: With age and experience, Mandela understood the real meaning of freedom. As a young boy, he thought that he was born free and believed that as long as he obeyed his father and abided by the customs of his tribe, he was free in every possible manner. As he grew older, freedom to raise a family and freedom to earn livelihood started dominating his thoughts. Gradually, he realized that he was selfish during his boyhood. He slowly understood that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all Blacks. It was the freedom from fear and prejudice. Age and experience widened his perspective of freedom.
Question 5: How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Answer: Mandela realized in his youth that it was not just his freedom that was curtailed, but the freedom of all Blacks. This changed a frightened man into a rebel. He sacrificed the comforts of his home, of a settled family life to fight for a greater cause. He joined the African National Congress and this changed him into a bold individual who fought against racial prejudice.
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