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Nelson Mandela: Long walk to Freedom

Comprehension Check - I

Question 1: Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?

Answer 1:

The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheater formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. It was the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil.

The Rashtrapati Bhawa n, the Red Fort, the Supreme Court and the Parliament House of India in New Delhi are few examples of public buildings in India that are made of sandstone.

Question 2: Can you say how 10 May is an 'autumn day' in South Africa?

Answer 2:

10 May is an 'autum day' in South Africa because on this day, there was the largest gathering of international leaders on South African soil for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non ­ racial government.

Question 3: At the begin Ning 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?

Answer 3:

By 'an extraordinary human disaster' Mandela means to state the practice of 'apartheid' in South Africa. 'Apartheid' is a political system that separates people according to their race. During this there was a racial segregation based on color and the blacks suffered a lot. They were not allowed to demand freedom or any right. Mandela himself f had to spend many years on infamous 'Robben Island' as a prisoner where he was beaten mercilessly.

He considered it as great glorious human achievement to liberate all people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.

Question 4: What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

Answer 4:

Mandela felt very privileged to welcome the international leaders at the swearing - in ceremony. The South Africans were considered outlaws. He was thankful to all of them for having come to take possession with the people of the country. This was a moment of common victory for justice, peace and human dignity. They all witnessed international recognition of a newly born free democratic nation.

Question 5: What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?

Answer 5:

Nelson Mandela had aim of liberating people from the trap poverty, deprivation, suffering and discrimination. He set the ideal for a society in which there would be no discrimination based on gender or race.

Comprehension Check -ll

Question 1: What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?

Answer 1:

When Mandela finished his speech, people saw a spectacular array of South Africa n jets, helicopters and troop carriers roared in perfect formation over the Union Buildings. The highest military generals of South African defense force saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty. It was of great significance as during apartheid era Mandela was arrested by them. The change in the attitude was because of struggle and sacrifices put in by many heroes of South Africa. The struggle not only ensured the nation freedom from apartheid. He believed that love can also be taught and human being is naturally inclined towards love rather than hate.

Question 2: Why were two national anthems sung?

Answer 2:

One the auspicious occasion of the inauguration two national anthems: one by the Whites and the other by the Blacks symbolizing the equality of the Blacks and the Whites.

Question 3:

How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country?

(I) in the first decade, and

(ii) in the final decade, of the twentieth century?

Answer 3:

Mandela described two eras in the African nation:

(I)      in the first decade of the century, the nation followed a system of racial discrimination against the blacks. This created one of the most harsh and inhumane societies worldwide.

(ii)     In the final decade of the 20th century, the trends and traditions of racial domination had been demolished and replaced by one which recognized rights and freedom of all people irrespective of the color of skin.

Question 4: What does courage mean to Mandela?

Answer 4:

Mandela mentions that it was the comrades from whom he learned the actual meaning of courage. For him courage did not mean the absence of fear but a triumph over fear. According to him brave men was not who felt afraid but one who is able to conquer fear.

Question 5: Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?

Answer 5:

Mandela suggested that people must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate.

Comprehension Check -ll

Question 1: What "twin obligations" does Mandela mention?

Answer 1:

Mandela mentioned that every man has twin obligations. The first is to his family, parents, wife and children; the second obligation is to his people, his community and his country.

Question 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 honorable freedoms"?

Answer 2:

Just like any child, for Mandela freedom meant to have merry and enjoy the blissful life. Once one becomes an adult, the things you did as a child look transitory because most of the activities which we did as children are wasteful for an adult's perspective. As an adult, one has to earn a livelihood to bring the food home. It is only then we get an honorable existence in the family and in the society.

Question 3: Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?

Answer 3:

Mandela knew that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man's freedom is a prisoner of hatred, who is locked of hatred behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. Mandela realized that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of their humanity and peace.

Thinking about the Text

 Question 1:

1.       Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?

2.       What does Mandela mean when he says he is "simply the sum of all those African patriots" who

Had gone before him?

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?

4.       How did Mandela's understanding of freedom change with age and experience?

5.       How did Mandela's 'hunger for freedom' change his life?

Answer 1:

1.       I international leaders showed a gesture of unity to put an end to the practice of apartheid by being a part of the inauguration. It was the significance of the victory of good over evil and triumph of a tolerance of society without any racial discrimination.

2.       By saying that he is simply the sum of all those African patriots, Mandela paid his tributes to all those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. He said that he was grateful to those who had gone before him because those heroes of past 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 and eradicate racial discrimination.

3.       I totally 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 an inspiration, who did not bother about their lives and sacrificed their lives in the long freedom struggle to liberate others from the bondage.

India is a nation which is full of such examples, great leaders who sacrificed their lives during our freedom struggle. There was a group of leaders of possessing great character, love for their country and a strong desire to something for their country who raised their voice against the oppression of British rule, created awareness and encouraged people of noble characters like Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai, JL Nehru, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Sardar Bhagat Singh etc.

If we compare them with the quality of political leaders of today, then Nelson Mandela seems to be absolutely correct in what he is saying.

4.       With age and experience, Mandela realized the importance of freedom, understood the real meaning of freedom. When he was a young boy, he thought that he was born free and thought that as long as he obeyed his father and the customs of his tribe, he was free. But when he grew older, he realized what did freedom to raise a family, to earn a livelihood mean and all this left a great impact on his mind .He started thinking about freedom in a different way. All this made him realize that he was selfish during his childhood. He slowly understood that it was not just his freedom that was being taken away, but the freedom of all blacks of his nation. It was the freedom from fear and prejudice. So with age and experience he understood the clearer meaning of freedom.

5.       Mandela realized in his youth that it was not just his freedom that was being snatched from him, but the freedom of all blacks who were a part of that nation. This changed his mind set and from a fearing person he became a daring rebel.

He sacrificed all the comforts of a settled family life and raised his voice to fight for a greater cause. He joined the African National Congress and became a young bold rebel ready to fight for the cause of his fellow friends and fought against racism.

 Thinking about Language

Question I: There are nouns in the text (formation, government) which are formed from the corresponding verbs (form, govern) by suffixing - (at) ion or mint. There may be a change in the spelling of some verb - noun pairs: such as rebel, rebellion; constitute, constitution.

1.       Make a list of such pairs of nouns and verbs in the text.

Noun	Verb
Rebellion	Rebel
Constitution	Constitute

2.       Read the paragraph below. Fill in the blanks with the noun forms of the verbs in brackets.

Marti n Luther King's (contribute) to our history as an outstanding leader began when he came to the (assist) of Rosa Parks, a seamstress who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. In those days America n Blacks were confined to positions of second class citizenship by   restrictive laws and    customs.  To break these laws would mean

 (Subjugate)   and  (humiliate) by the police and the legal system. Beatings,           (imprison) and sometimes death awaited those who defied the System. Martin Luther King's tactics of protest involved non-violent     (resist) to racial injustice.

Answer I:

1. Noun Rebellion Constitution Formation Government Obligation

Transformation on Discrimination Deprivation Demonstration Oppression Imagination

Verb Rebel Constitute Form Govern Oblige

Transform Discriminate Deprive Demonstrate Oppress Imagine

2.       Martin Luther King's contribution to our history as an outstanding leader began when he came to the assistance of Rosa Parks, a seamstress who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. In those days America n Blacks were confined to positions of second class citizenship by restrictive laws and customs. To break these laws would mean subjugation and humiliation by the police and the legal system. Beatings, imprisonment and sometimes death awaited those who defied the System. Martin Luther King’s tactics of protest involved non-violent resistance to racial injustice.

Question II: Using the Definite Article with Names

You know that the definite article 'the' is not normally used before proper nouns. N or do proper nouns usually occur in the plural. (We do not say: *The Nelson Mandela, or *Nelson Mandela’s.) But now look at this sentence from the text: the decades of oppression and brutality ... produced the Oliver Tambo’s, the Walter Sisals, of our time.

Used in this way with the and/or in the plural, a proper noun carries a special meaning. For example, what do you think the names above mean? Choose the right Answer.

(a)     For example Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisal,

(b)     Many other men like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisal .../ many men of their type or kind, whose names may not be as well known.

Did you choose option (b)? Then you have the right Answer!

Here are some more examples of 'the' used with proper names. Try to say what these sentences mean. (You may consult a dictionary if you wish. Look at the entry for 'the'.)

1.       Mr. Singh regular rly invites the Amitabh Bachchans and the Shah Rukh Khans to his parties.

2.       Many people think that Madhuri Dixit is the Madhubala of our times.

3.       History is not only the story of the Alexanders, the Napoleons and the Hitlers, but of ordinary people as well.

 Answer II:

1.       This means that Mr Singh regularly invites Bollywood stars such as like Amitabh Bachchans and the Shah Rukh Khans to his parties.

2.       This means that Madhuri Dixit is compared to a landmark in acting just like Madhubala of our times.

3.       This means that history is not only the story of the great fighters and leaders such as Alexander, Napoleon and Hitler, but also of ordinary people.

Question III:

Idiomatic Expressions

Match the italicized phrases in Column A with the phrase nearest in meaning in Column 8. (Hint: First look for the sentence in the text in which the phrase in Column A occurs.)

A	B
1.       I was not unmindful of the fact	(I)      had not forgotten; was aware of the fact (ii)     was n to careful about the fact (iii)    forgot or was not aware of the fact
2.       when  my  comrades  and  I were pushed to our limits	(I)      pushed by the guards to the wall (ii)     took more than our share of beatings (iii)    felt that we could not endure the suffering any longer
3.       to reassure me and keep me going	(I)      make me go on walking (ii)     help me continue to live in hope in this very difficult situation (iii)    make me remain without complaining
4.       The basic and honorable freedoms of ...earning my keep.	(I)      earning enough money to live on (ii)     keeping what  I  earned (iii)    getting a good salary

Answer III:

A	B
I was not unmindful of the fact	(I) had not forgotten; was aware of the fact
when my comrades and  I were pushed to our limits	(iii) felt that we could not endure the suffering any longer
to reassure me and keep me going	(ii)  help  me  continue  to  live  in  hope in  this  very difficult situation
The basic and honorable freedoms of earning my keep.	(I) earning enough money to live on

Speaking

Question 1: In groups, discuss the issues suggested in the box below. Then prepay re a speech of about two minutes on the following topic. (First make notes for your speech in writing.)

True liberty is freedom from poverty, deprivation and all forms of discrimination.

Answer:

Notes

Causes of poverty and means to overcome it.

>       Illiteracy

>       Unemployment

>       Population Growth

>       Unavailability of proper source of income

Discrimination based on gender, religion, class, etc.

>       Attitude towards superiority & inferiority

>       Communal disharmony

>       Creates hatred and ill-will

>       Strict observance of equal rights

Constitutionally guaranteed human rights.

>       Equal opportunity of employment and education

>       Equality before law

>       No discrimination of caste, colour, etc.

>       Banning child labor

Speech

Freedom from Deprivation, Poverty and different form of Discrimination leads to true Liberty. Dear Friends,

According   to      me,    the     true   liberty         is       freedom      from  deprivation,          poverty       and    all      types of discrimination. Now, I am placing my ideas and hope you will be attentive peacefully.

True liberty is not only the freedom from poverty, deprivation or discrimination, but it also includes liberty of education as well as equality before law. We know that poverty is a curse as it disturbs the peace and tranquility of the family. Sometime, it creates lots of trouble in our life. It becomes troublesome for one to provide all chances of accommodation, education, food, jobs, etc. In deprivation one is denied of enjoying his proper benefits. If someone is refused to take admission in some professional institution just because of caste, color or religion, etc. The personality and freedom of the person is affected too much for future. Our constitution guarantees equality of education as well as employment without any difference. Everyone knows that deprivation and discrimination give birth to despise, ill-will and hatred.

Writing

Question I: Looking at Contrasts

Nelson Mandela’s writing is marked by balance: many sentences have two parts in balance. Use the following phrases to complete the sentences given below.

1. It requires such depths of oppression

2.       Courage was not the absence of fear

3.       The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid

4. If people can learn to hate

5. I was not born with a hunger to be free.

Answer I:

1.       It requires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character.

2.       Courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.

3. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid but he who conquers that fear.

4.       If people can learn to hate they can be taught to love.

5.       I was not born with a hunger to be free. I was born free.

Question II:

This text repeatedly contrasts the past with the present or the future. We can use coordinated clauses to contrast two views, for emphasis or effect. Given below are sentences carrying one part of the contrast. Find in the text the second part of the contrast, and complete each item. Identify the words which signal the contrast. This has been done for you in the first item.

1. For decades the Union Buildings had been the seat of white supremacy, and now...

2.       Only moments before, the highest generals of the South Africa n defense force and police ...saluted me and pledged their loyalty...not so many years before they would not have saluted        _

3.       Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem ..., they would soon _

4.       My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil,    _

5.       The Air Show was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force, but  _

6. It was this desire for the freedom of my people ... that transformed  into a bold one that drove -----to become a criminal that turned -----into a man without a home.

Answer II:

1. For decades the Union Buildings had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colors and nations for the installation of South Africa's first and non-racial government.

2. Only moments before, the highest generals of the South African defense force and police ...saluted

Me and pledged their loyalty... not so many years before they would not have saluted but arrested me.

3.       Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem they once despised, they would

Soon know the words by heart.

4.       My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, I have always known that its greatest wealth is its people.

5.       The Air Show was not only a display of pinpoint precision and mile tarry force, but a demonstration of the military's loyalty to democracy.

6.       It was this desire for the freedom of my people to live their lives with dignity and self-respect that animated my life that transformed a frightened young man into a bold one that drove a law abiding attorney to become a criminal that turned a family loving husband into a man without a home.

Question III: Expressing Your Opinion

Do you think there is color prejudice cue in our own country? Discuss this with your friend and write a paragraph of about 100 to 150 words about this. You have the option of making your paragraph a humorous one. (Read the short verse given below.)

When you were born you were pink When you grew up you became white When you are in the sun you are red When you are sick you are yellow When you are angry you are purple When you are shocked you are grey

And you have the cheek to call me 'colored'.

Answer III:

Color Prejudice and India

India is free from color prejudice. Everyone is free to get education, employment, accommodation, etc. anywhere in in dia. everyone can adopt facility of propagation and religion irrespective of one's color. Indian constitution provides equal rights to all Indian without any discrimination. If a North Indian arrives in Kerala, he has the equal opportunities like the native. He cannot be denied to board a bus, train or any other means of transport. Our constitution provides full protection to every Indian.

Everyone can be settled in any part of India. A person of one state can marriage in other state or can live permanently in other state irrespective of caste, color or religion.

(A Tiger in the Zoo)

Thinking about the Poem

Question 1: Read the poem again, and work in pairs or groups to do the following tasks.

(I)      find the words that describe the movements and actions of the tiger in the cage and in the wild. Arrange them in two columns.

(ii)     Fin d the words that describe the two places, and arrange them in two columns.

Now try to share ideas about how the poet uses words and images to contrast the two situations.

Answer 1:

(I). In the cage	In the wild
1.       Stalks in quiet rage.	1.       Lurking in the shadow.
2.       Stalking the length of his cage.	2.       Sliding through long grass.
3.       Ignoring visitors.	3.       Snarling around houses.
4.       Hears the last voice of patrolling cars.	4.       Baring his white fangs.
5.       Stares at the stars.	5.       Terrorizing the village.

(ii).

Cage	Wild
Few steps of his cage Concrete cell Locked Behind bars Visitors	Shadow Long grass Water hole Plump deer Houses at the jungle' s edge

Question 2:

Notice the use of a word repeated in lines such as these:

(I)      on pads of velvet quiet, in his quiet rage.

(ii)     And stares with his brilliant eyes

At the brilliant stars.

What do you thin k is the effect of this repetition?

Answer 2:

This repetition is a poetic device used by the poet to increase the zeal of the tiger's rage and its helpless silence. 'Velvet quiet' refers to the quiet velvet pads of the tiger, which cannot run or jug m p. They can only walk in the limited space of the cage. The use of 'quiet rage' symbolizes the fury and fierceness that is shaping up inside the tiger as it wants to run out to the forest and hit a deer, but the rage is silent because it is unable to come out in the open as it is in the cage.

This double use of 'quiet' has brought massive beauty to the poem. Similarly, the use of 'brilliant' for the tiger's eyes as well as the stars also brings out the brilliance of these lines. The tiger has a dream of becoming free in its 'brilliant' eyes. It sees the stars (that have also been described as brilliant) with the same eyes. It glares at the gleaming stars with its brilliant eyes thinking about how beautiful its life could be in the forest. The repetitiveness of these words gives an amazing effect to the poem.

Question 3: Read the following two poems -one about a tiger and the other about a panther. Then discuss: Are zoos necessary for the protection or conservation n of some species of animals? Are they useful for educating the public? Are there alternatives to zoos?

The Tiger

The tiger behind the bars of his cage growls,
The tiger behind the bars of his cage snarls,
The tiger behind the bars of his cage roars.
Then he thinks.
It would be nice not to be behind bars all
The time
Because they spoil my view
I wish I were wild, not on show.
But if I were wild, hunters might shoot me,
But if I were wild, food might poison me,
But if I were wild, water might drown me.
Then he stops thinking
And...
The tiger behind the bars of his cage growls,
The tiger behind the bars of his cage snarls,
The tiger behind the bars of his cage roars.

PETER N IBLETT

The Panther

His vision, from the constantly passing bars,
Has grown so weary that it cannot hold
Anything else. It seems to him there are
A thousand bars; and behind the bars, no world.
As he paces in cramped
circles, over and over,
The movement of his powerful soft strides
Is like a ritual dance around a center
In which a mighty will stands paralyzed.
Only at times, the curtain of the pupils
Lifts, quietly. An image enters in,
Rushes down through the tensed, arrested muscles,
Plunges into the heart and is gone.

RAIN ER MARIA RILKE

Answer 3:

The Zoo is an essential place for some animals as they could be hunted, poisoned by some wild food, or could drown in water in the forest.

They also make the public aware about the nature of animals and are trying to make human beings friendly with animals. However, a zoo is not the right replacement for a forest. In a zoo, an animal would feel imprisoned, bound, and not free to move around in the wild. It is for this reason that wildlife sanctuaries and national parks have been made, to conserve a number of endangered species. These places provide security as well as natural surroundings to these species.

They can move freely in their habitats and are safe too. Even the public can visit these parks

And get educated about the animals and their lifestyles. The parks and sanctuaries follow a severe set of rules, the most important being the ban on hunting. Since the animals are in the open, visitors are not allowed to feed them and cannot behave badly or try to play with them as they are under strict supervision. Such incidents have been recorded in zoos where people annoy and tease the animals.

Hence, a wild life sanctuary is a good option for animals to be safe as well as in their natural surroundings.

Question 4: Take a point of view for or against zoos, or even consider both points of view and write a couple of paragraphs or speak about this topic for a couple of minutes in class.

Answer 4:

This is a class room activity. So do yourself under your subject teacher's guidance.

(Summary)

Chapter 1: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

It is about the struggle of independence of South-Africa where Mandela was about to swear as the first black president. South Africa was becoming a newly born democratic country and he took an oath as the first black president. Many dignitaries from different countries had come to be the part of that most momentous day. In his speech Mandela showed his gratitude for all the dignitaries and promised his people that his country would never ever experience the repression of one by another. Democracy had been established in South Africa and a government of no prejudice had to be established too. Two National Anthems were sung by the people of South Africa to signify the day. Mandela recalled the Boer movement in which Blacks were exploited by Whites.

In life a man has twin obligations, first towards his family, his parents, wife and children and on the other hand towards his country, people and community.

When Mandela became an adult he understood that his freedom was only a misapprehension in fact he was a slave of exploitation. Freedom is obligatory for those who were suppressed in past. So, Nelson Mandela, the first Black president of South Africa said radiantly that "N ever, never again shall it be that this beau tifulland will again experience the oppression of one by another". He pays respect to the freedom fighters like Oliver Tambo, Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo who were men of rare courage, insight and kindness. He respects the death of thousand of people who gave their lives for the cause of freedom. He says every man has his duties to his family, to the community and to his country and should perform them with loyalty and honestly.

Chapter 2: Poem - A Tiger in the Zoo

The poem begins with an explanation of a tiger that is very beautiful and is walking in his little cage. He has beau tiful stripes on his skin and has velvet like soft paws. This poem contrasts a tiger when it is in its natural habitat and when it is caged in a zoo. The tiger is unhappy, dissatisfied and quite angry for being kept in the cage. The poet says that if the tiger was not restricted to the zoo cage, he would have been hiding himself behind the long grass near some water body to catch its prey that is the deer. Also, he would have terrorized the residents of the villages around the area. But in reality it is totally different as he was confined to a cage and was a captive. The cage was well-built with strong building material and he was powerless there. He could not show his power to the visitors and could not terrorize them. The tiger was powerless and tortured by the poet. He says that during night also he was alone, hearing the voice of the patrolling police vehicles and looking at the stars. The cage life had totally changed its personality. The poet is trying to say that the animal which is known for its daring and liberty is restrained in the cage and is sad for being deprived of its freedom by being kept in the zoo cage.