Summary of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
The story ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ is extracted from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography. It discusses the historic occasion of him becoming South Africa’s first Black President as well as his ideas and opinions on freedom. Nelson Mandela was of the opinion that he had an obligation to his people along with his family. This story showcases his thoughts on the mistreatment that people of colour were subjected to. Mandela desired and sought equality for everyone, without any consideration for caste, creed or colour.
He believed in prioritising his people and nation over all other obligations. He refused to follow or observe the customs of his tribe. Nelson Mandela thought that every individual should be allowed to be emancipated politically. Thus, he pledged to free the African people from bondage, slavery, poverty, deprivation, gender inequality and other bases of discrimination.
Oral Comprehension Check (pg. 18) 1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone? Ans: Union Building of Pretoria was the place where the ceremonies took place. The Parliament House in New Delhi, the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi, and the Madras High Court in Chennai are all notable sandstone monuments in India.
2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa? Ans: South Africa lies in the Southern Hemisphere. Hence, the autumn season falls in May. It was the day of South Africa's largest gathering, with many international leaders in attendance to witness the installation of the country's first non-racial democratic government.
3. At the beginning of his speech, Mandela mentions “an extraordinary human disaster”. What does he mean by this? What is the “glorious … human achievement” he speaks of at the end? Ans: “An extraordinary human disaster” meant that the native Africans and the coloured people had to suffer a lot due to discrimination done by the British government. It was a glorious achievement, not only for the Africans but also for the people around the world. A coloured person became the President after the country was exploited for many years. In South Africa, the government ensured liberty not only to the black citizens but also to the whites.
4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for? Ans: While addressing everyone in his speech, Mandela thanked all the international leaders who came to witness this glorious moment. He felt privileged to gather international support for his country. It also helped him bring to light the issues that Africans faced at the hands of the British. Mandela becoming the President of Africa was not only their victory but the victory of justice, peace, and human rights across the globe.
5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa? Ans: Mandela wanted to work for the upliftment of everyone. He tried to address the finer details that would make Africa a progressing nation in the long run. He focused on the alleviation of poverty and suffering. He also wanted his nation to be free from racial discrimination and a safe place for blacks, white and coloured individuals.
Oral Comprehension Check (pg. 21)
1. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
Ans: The military earlier arrested and disrespected the Blacks. But after Mandela became the President of South Africa, the highest military generals of South Africa saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty towards the new emerging Africa.
2. Why were two national anthems sung? Ans: Nelson Mandela wanted to make Africa a safe and equal country for everyone and promote universal brotherhood. So, on the day of the inauguration one national anthem was sung by whites and the other by blacks.
3. How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country (i) in the first decade Ans: In the first decade the racial discrimination between the blacks and white, the whites set themselves on higher pedestal and created grounds for one of the gravest racial discrimination the world had ever known. The dark skinned were treated as inferior in their own land and were denied even basic human rights. (ii) in the final decade of the twentieth century? Ans: In the final decade of twentieth century the racial discrimination was eradicated and was replaced by equal rights for all, irrespective of their colour.
4. What does courage mean to Mandela? Ans: Mandela’s definition of courage did not mean absence of fear but victory over fear. A man should not be fearless. He should acknowledge the fear and gather courage to fight against it.
5. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate? Ans: It is natural for the human heart to love than to hate, according to Mandela.
Oral Comprehension Check (pg. 24) 1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention? Ans: Mandela mentions that every man shoulders responsibility first towards his family, wife, children, and parents and towards his nation and community.
2. What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does he contrast these “transitory freedoms” with “the basic and honourable freedoms”? Ans: Like any other kid for Mandela also the freedom meant the freedom to make merry and enjoy a blissful life. He was allowed everything till the time he followed the rules laid out by his father and the tribe. After growing up he realized freedom had a more deeper meaning and value than he actually thought. It meant equality and honour for all. As an adult you will have to make sure there is food for the family and honour of the family is held high.
3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not? Ans: An oppressor, according to Mandela, is not free because he becomes a prisoner of hatred, imprisoned by prejudice and narrow-mindedness. They are stripped of their humanity, and the privilege of being human is taken away from them.
Thinking about the Text 24
1. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Ans: The Britishers ruled over various countries around the world and exploited them for their own gains. Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa, after so many years of oppression, signified their win against the oppressors. The presence of international leaders at an important event signifies their appreciation of the struggle that Africa went through. It showed that all the nations around the world were standing in unity with Africa.
2. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him? Ans: Mandela was inspired by the passion of individuals and freedom fighters, who had in their hearts a desire to free their country from the shackles of British oppression. He believed that those patriots who died before him paved this path for him and without their sacrifice, this would not have been possible. He held their sacrifice as well as the other citizens who sacrificed themselves for the nation at a pedestal. He wanted to pay his tribe for all the lives that were a part of this freedom struggle and work towards what they imagined future Africa to be.
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?
Ans: Yes, I believe that “depths of oppression” create “heights of character.” It is when we face adverse situations, we realize the potential we hold. Adverse situations help us to come out of our bubble and discover the strength that lies deep within us. Nelson Mandela never thought as a child that he would fight for the freedom of the citizens and nations. He was ready to sacrifice himself for the freedom of his nation. He served around 27 years in prison and then became the first President of independent South Africa.
4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Ans: Since Mandela was a part of an African tribe, he was shouldered with responsibilities from a noticeably early age. As a young boy, Mandela was concerned about his own freedom. He considered himself to be free since he wasn't imposed with any restrictions. He was just asked to abide by his father’s and communities' rules. As he grew up and developed a better understanding of the world, he realized how selfish his view of freedom was. He understood that it's not only his freedom that matters but also other fellow black members and the residents of the country. It was after this realized he stepped into politics, to achieve this aim.
5. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Ans: Realization about the importance of the freedom of the country hit Mandela when he was young. He valued his freedom but eventually realized that if the citizens of his country aren't free then his freedom holds no importance. He held in his heart a desire for non-racial society and wanted everyone to have equal rights, irrespective of them being black or white. His own hunger for freedom soon grew into hunger for the freedom of his own people and he joined the African National Congress which acted as a stepping stone into his political career.
He believed in prioritising his people and nation over all other obligations. He refused to follow or observe the customs of his tribe. Nelson Mandela thought that every individual should be allowed to be emancipated politically. Thus, he pledged to free the African people from bondage, slavery, poverty, deprivation, gender inequality and other bases of discrimination.
Oral Comprehension Check (pg. 18) 1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone? Ans: Union Building of Pretoria was the place where the ceremonies took place. The Parliament House in New Delhi, the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi, and the Madras High Court in Chennai are all notable sandstone monuments in India.
2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa? Ans: South Africa lies in the Southern Hemisphere. Hence, the autumn season falls in May. It was the day of South Africa's largest gathering, with many international leaders in attendance to witness the installation of the country's first non-racial democratic government.
3. At the beginning of his speech, Mandela mentions “an extraordinary human disaster”. What does he mean by this? What is the “glorious … human achievement” he speaks of at the end? Ans: “An extraordinary human disaster” meant that the native Africans and the coloured people had to suffer a lot due to discrimination done by the British government. It was a glorious achievement, not only for the Africans but also for the people around the world. A coloured person became the President after the country was exploited for many years. In South Africa, the government ensured liberty not only to the black citizens but also to the whites.
4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for? Ans: While addressing everyone in his speech, Mandela thanked all the international leaders who came to witness this glorious moment. He felt privileged to gather international support for his country. It also helped him bring to light the issues that Africans faced at the hands of the British. Mandela becoming the President of Africa was not only their victory but the victory of justice, peace, and human rights across the globe.
5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa? Ans: Mandela wanted to work for the upliftment of everyone. He tried to address the finer details that would make Africa a progressing nation in the long run. He focused on the alleviation of poverty and suffering. He also wanted his nation to be free from racial discrimination and a safe place for blacks, white and coloured individuals.
Oral Comprehension Check (pg. 21)
1. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
Ans: The military earlier arrested and disrespected the Blacks. But after Mandela became the President of South Africa, the highest military generals of South Africa saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty towards the new emerging Africa.
2. Why were two national anthems sung? Ans: Nelson Mandela wanted to make Africa a safe and equal country for everyone and promote universal brotherhood. So, on the day of the inauguration one national anthem was sung by whites and the other by blacks.
3. How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country (i) in the first decade Ans: In the first decade the racial discrimination between the blacks and white, the whites set themselves on higher pedestal and created grounds for one of the gravest racial discrimination the world had ever known. The dark skinned were treated as inferior in their own land and were denied even basic human rights. (ii) in the final decade of the twentieth century? Ans: In the final decade of twentieth century the racial discrimination was eradicated and was replaced by equal rights for all, irrespective of their colour.
4. What does courage mean to Mandela? Ans: Mandela’s definition of courage did not mean absence of fear but victory over fear. A man should not be fearless. He should acknowledge the fear and gather courage to fight against it.
5. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate? Ans: It is natural for the human heart to love than to hate, according to Mandela.
Oral Comprehension Check (pg. 24) 1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention? Ans: Mandela mentions that every man shoulders responsibility first towards his family, wife, children, and parents and towards his nation and community.
2. What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does he contrast these “transitory freedoms” with “the basic and honourable freedoms”? Ans: Like any other kid for Mandela also the freedom meant the freedom to make merry and enjoy a blissful life. He was allowed everything till the time he followed the rules laid out by his father and the tribe. After growing up he realized freedom had a more deeper meaning and value than he actually thought. It meant equality and honour for all. As an adult you will have to make sure there is food for the family and honour of the family is held high.
3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not? Ans: An oppressor, according to Mandela, is not free because he becomes a prisoner of hatred, imprisoned by prejudice and narrow-mindedness. They are stripped of their humanity, and the privilege of being human is taken away from them.
Thinking about the Text 24
1. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Ans: The Britishers ruled over various countries around the world and exploited them for their own gains. Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa, after so many years of oppression, signified their win against the oppressors. The presence of international leaders at an important event signifies their appreciation of the struggle that Africa went through. It showed that all the nations around the world were standing in unity with Africa.
2. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him? Ans: Mandela was inspired by the passion of individuals and freedom fighters, who had in their hearts a desire to free their country from the shackles of British oppression. He believed that those patriots who died before him paved this path for him and without their sacrifice, this would not have been possible. He held their sacrifice as well as the other citizens who sacrificed themselves for the nation at a pedestal. He wanted to pay his tribe for all the lives that were a part of this freedom struggle and work towards what they imagined future Africa to be.
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?
Ans: Yes, I believe that “depths of oppression” create “heights of character.” It is when we face adverse situations, we realize the potential we hold. Adverse situations help us to come out of our bubble and discover the strength that lies deep within us. Nelson Mandela never thought as a child that he would fight for the freedom of the citizens and nations. He was ready to sacrifice himself for the freedom of his nation. He served around 27 years in prison and then became the first President of independent South Africa.
4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Ans: Since Mandela was a part of an African tribe, he was shouldered with responsibilities from a noticeably early age. As a young boy, Mandela was concerned about his own freedom. He considered himself to be free since he wasn't imposed with any restrictions. He was just asked to abide by his father’s and communities' rules. As he grew up and developed a better understanding of the world, he realized how selfish his view of freedom was. He understood that it's not only his freedom that matters but also other fellow black members and the residents of the country. It was after this realized he stepped into politics, to achieve this aim.
5. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Ans: Realization about the importance of the freedom of the country hit Mandela when he was young. He valued his freedom but eventually realized that if the citizens of his country aren't free then his freedom holds no importance. He held in his heart a desire for non-racial society and wanted everyone to have equal rights, irrespective of them being black or white. His own hunger for freedom soon grew into hunger for the freedom of his own people and he joined the African National Congress which acted as a stepping stone into his political career.
Comments
Post a Comment