General Information
Class 10 English Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom : “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” is an extract from the autobiography of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, featured in the Class 10 NCERT English textbook First Flight. Published in 1994, the book chronicles Mandela’s life and his fight against apartheid in South Africa. The extract focuses on his reflections during his inauguration as South Africa’s first Black President on May 10, 1994, and his journey from oppression to freedom. It highlights themes of equality, resilience, and reconciliation. As a key text for Class 10 students, it offers insights into Mandela’s leadership and the struggle for justice, emphasizing human dignity and unity.
Detailed Analysis
Author
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918–2013), a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and statesman, served as the country’s first Black President from 1994 to 1999. A global icon for peace and equality, Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his activism before leading South Africa toward reconciliation. His autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, details his life and the fight against apartheid, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Setting
The extract is set primarily during Mandela’s inauguration ceremony on May 10, 1994, in Pretoria, South Africa, at the Union Buildings. Flashbacks reference his childhood in the Transkei, his time in Johannesburg, and his years of imprisonment on Robben Island. The setting symbolizes South Africa’s transition from apartheid—a system of racial segregation—to a democratic “rainbow nation.”
Structure
The extract is a prose narrative, blending Mandela’s personal reflections with historical context. It alternates between the present (the inauguration) and past (his life under apartheid), using a first-person perspective to create an intimate, reflective tone. The structure is chronological within the inauguration but incorporates memories to highlight Mandela’s journey.
Summary
The extract begins with Mandela describing the historic inauguration on May 10, 1994, where he was sworn in as South Africa’s first Black President. The ceremony, attended by global leaders and diverse South Africans, symbolized unity and the end of apartheid. Mandela reflects on the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters, acknowledging their role in this triumph. He recalls his childhood, his growing awareness of oppression, and his involvement in the African National Congress (ANC). Despite decades of imprisonment, Mandela emphasizes that his spirit remained unbroken. He discusses the dual obligations of a man—to his family and his people—and redefines freedom as collective liberation. The extract concludes with Mandela’s vision of a free, equal South Africa, tempered by the ongoing challenge of addressing poverty and injustice.
Themes
- Freedom and Equality: The extract underscores the struggle for racial equality and collective freedom, achieved through the end of apartheid.
- Resilience and Sacrifice: Mandela highlights the resilience of freedom fighters who endured oppression and imprisonment for justice.
- Reconciliation and Unity: The inauguration symbolizes South Africa’s transition to a “rainbow nation,” embracing diversity and forgiveness.
- Human Dignity: Mandela emphasizes the importance of dignity for all, regardless of race, as a cornerstone of true freedom.
Literary Devices
- Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the inauguration, such as the “amphitheatre of sandstone” and “rainbow gathering,” evoke unity and hope.
- Metaphor: Apartheid is described as a “system of chains” on both the oppressed and oppressor, symbolizing mutual harm.
- Symbolism: The “rainbow nation” symbolizes multicultural unity; the inauguration represents the triumph of justice.
- Alliteration: Phrases like “policy of prejudice” emphasize the harshness of apartheid.
- Anaphora: Repetition of “I was” in Mandela’s reflections on his past reinforces his personal journey.
- Contrast: The joy of the inauguration contrasts with the pain of apartheid, highlighting the victory of freedom.
Moral
The chapter teaches that freedom is a collective achievement requiring sacrifice, resilience, and unity. It emphasizes that true liberation involves not just political freedom but also addressing social inequalities, inspiring readers to value equality and perseverance in the face of injustice.
Significance
“Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” is a powerful text for Class 10 students, offering a firsthand account of a historic struggle against oppression. It introduces Mandela’s philosophy of reconciliation and equality, encouraging reflection on human rights and leadership. The extract’s blend of personal and political narrative makes it an engaging study of resilience and hope.
Questions and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Who is the author of “Long Walk to Freedom”?
a) Mahatma Gandhi
b) Nelson Mandela
c) Martin Luther King Jr.
d) Desmond Tutu
Answer: b) Nelson Mandela - When was Nelson Mandela inaugurated as South Africa’s first Black President?
a) May 10, 1990
b) May 10, 1994
c) May 10, 1998
d) May 10, 2000
Answer: b) May 10, 1994 - Where did Mandela’s inauguration take place?
a) Johannesburg
b) Cape Town
c) Pretoria
d) Durban
Answer: c) Pretoria - What system did Mandela fight against?
a) Colonialism
b) Apartheid
c) Feudalism
d) Communism
Answer: b) Apartheid - What does Mandela call South Africa after the end of apartheid?
a) Free Nation
b) Rainbow Nation
c) Unity Nation
d) Peace Nation
Answer: b) Rainbow Nation - How many years was Mandela imprisoned?
a) 20 years
b) 25 years
c) 27 years
d) 30 years
Answer: c) 27 years - What organization did Mandela join to fight apartheid?
a) United Nations
b) African National Congress (ANC)
c) South African Communist Party
d) Pan African Congress
Answer: b) African National Congress (ANC) - What does Mandela say oppresses both the oppressor and the oppressed?
a) Fear
b) Poverty
c) Hatred
d) Apartheid
Answer: d) Apartheid - What award did Mandela receive in 1993?
a) Bharat Ratna
b) Nobel Peace Prize
c) Pulitzer Prize
d) Booker Prize
Answer: b) Nobel Peace Prize - What does Mandela identify as a man’s twin obligations?
a) Wealth and power
b) Family and people
c) Education and career
d) Religion and politics
Answer: b) Family and people
Fill in the Blanks
- Nelson Mandela was sworn in as South Africa’s first Black President on ______ 1994.
Answer: May 10 - The inauguration took place at the ______ in Pretoria.
Answer: Union Buildings - Mandela fought against the system of ______.
Answer: apartheid - Mandela spent ______ years in prison for his activism.
Answer: 27 - The term “______ Nation” refers to South Africa’s multicultural unity.
Answer: Rainbow - Mandela joined the ______ to fight for freedom.
Answer: African National Congress (ANC) - Apartheid was a policy of ______ and racial discrimination.
Answer: segregation - Mandela received the ______ Peace Prize in 1993.
Answer: Nobel - Mandela describes freedom as the ability to live with ______.
Answer: dignity - The extract is from Mandela’s autobiography titled ______.
Answer: Long Walk to Freedom
Short Answer Type Questions
- What is the significance of May 10, 1994, in the extract?
Answer: May 10, 1994, marks Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as South Africa’s first Black President, symbolizing the end of apartheid and the birth of a democratic, unified nation. - What was apartheid, as described in the chapter?
Answer: Apartheid was a system of racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa, enforcing white supremacy and denying basic rights to Black and other non-white people. - Where did Mandela’s inauguration take place?
Answer: Mandela’s inauguration took place at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, described as an amphitheatre of sandstone, symbolizing a new era. - Who attended Mandela’s inauguration ceremony?
Answer: The ceremony was attended by global leaders, dignitaries from over 140 countries, and a diverse crowd of South Africans, reflecting unity. - What does Mandela mean by the “Rainbow Nation”?
Answer: The “Rainbow Nation” refers to a multicultural, united South Africa where people of all races live together in harmony, free from apartheid’s divisions. - What are the twin obligations Mandela mentions?
Answer: Mandela mentions a man’s twin obligations: one to his family (wife, parents, children) and the other to his people, community, and country. - How does Mandela describe the effect of apartheid on the oppressor?
Answer: Mandela says apartheid oppresses the oppressor by chaining them to hatred, robbing them of humanity, just as it denies dignity to the oppressed. - What role did the African National Congress (ANC) play in Mandela’s life?
Answer: The ANC was the organization Mandela joined to fight apartheid, shaping his activism and leadership in the struggle for freedom and equality. - Why does Mandela call the inauguration a “common victory”?
Answer: Mandela calls it a “common victory” because it was achieved through the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters and represented freedom for all South Africans. - What does Mandela redefine as true freedom?
Answer: Mandela redefines true freedom as collective liberation, where all people, regardless of race, can live with dignity and equal opportunities.
Long Answer Type Questions
- Discuss the theme of freedom and equality in “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.”
Answer: The theme of freedom and equality is central to “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.” The extract describes Mandela’s inauguration as South Africa’s first Black President, marking the end of apartheid—a system that denied Black people basic rights. Mandela reflects on freedom as more than political liberation; it is the ability to live with dignity and equality for all. He redefines freedom as collective, achieved only when everyone, regardless of race, enjoys equal opportunities. The “Rainbow Nation” symbolizes this vision of unity and multiculturalism. Mandela’s emphasis on reconciliation, despite years of oppression, underscores his belief that true equality requires healing and inclusivity, inspiring readers to value justice and unity. - How does Mandela’s personal journey in the extract reflect the broader struggle against apartheid?
Answer: Mandela’s personal journey in the extract mirrors the broader struggle against apartheid. He recounts his childhood in the Transkei, his awakening to oppression in Johannesburg, and his 27 years in prison, which symbolize the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters. His involvement with the ANC and enduring imprisonment reflect the collective resistance against apartheid’s racial segregation. The inauguration on May 10, 1994, represents the culmination of this struggle, not just for Mandela but for all South Africans. His reflections on the “common victory” and the “Rainbow Nation” highlight how his personal resilience and vision for equality paralleled the nation’s transition from oppression to democracy, emphasizing unity and reconciliation. - Analyze the role of symbolism in the extract and its contribution to the narrative.
Answer: Symbolism in “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” enriches the narrative. The “Rainbow Nation” symbolizes South Africa’s multicultural unity, reflecting the diversity at the inauguration. The Union Buildings, described as an “amphitheatre of sandstone,” symbolize the grandeur of the democratic transition. Apartheid is metaphorically a “system of chains,” symbolizing oppression for both the oppressed and oppressor. The presence of global leaders and diverse South Africans symbolizes international support and national reconciliation. These symbols elevate the extract beyond a personal account, portraying the inauguration as a historic triumph of justice and equality. They reinforce Mandela’s message of hope, unity, and the collective nature of freedom. - Explain how Mandela portrays the concept of resilience in the face of oppression in the extract.
Answer: In the extract, Mandela portrays resilience as the unyielding spirit of those who fought apartheid. He reflects on his 27 years in prison, noting that his spirit remained unbroken despite physical confinement. He honors countless freedom fighters—known and unknown—who sacrificed their lives, families, and freedoms for justice. This collective resilience is evident in the ANC’s sustained activism and the South African people’s enduring hope, culminating in the 1994 democratic victory. Mandela’s ability to focus on reconciliation rather than revenge further demonstrates resilience, as he channels decades of suffering into a vision for a united “Rainbow Nation.” This portrayal inspires readers to persevere through adversity with dignity and purpose. - How does the extract reflect Mandela’s philosophy of reconciliation and unity?
Answer: The extract reflects Nelson Mandela’s philosophy of reconciliation and unity through his vision for a post-apartheid South Africa. Despite enduring 27 years of imprisonment and systemic oppression, Mandela emphasizes forgiveness over retribution during his inauguration. He describes the “Rainbow Nation,” symbolizing a united, multicultural society where all races coexist. The diverse crowd and global leaders at the ceremony embody this unity. Mandela’s acknowledgment of both the oppressed and oppressor’s suffering under apartheid highlights his belief that reconciliation heals both parties. His redefinition of freedom as collective dignity underscores his commitment to inclusivity, making the extract a powerful testament to his leadership in fostering peace and unity.