Chapter 2: Long Walk to Freedom
Comprehension
Check
1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any
public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?
Ans: The
ceremonies were held at the Union Building in Pretoria. In India, buildings
like the Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Supreme Court, and Madras
High Court are made of sandstone.
2. Why is 10 May called an 'autumn day' in South Africa?
Ans: 10
May is called an 'autumn day' because it was the day when South Africa held the
largest gathering of international leaders for the inauguration of its first
democratic, non-racial government.
3. What does Mandela mean by "an extraordinary human
disaster" in his speech, and what is the "glorious human
achievement" he talks about?
Ans: The
"extraordinary human disaster" refers to the suffering of black
people due to racial discrimination. The "glorious human achievement"
is the election of a black president in a country that once treated black
people as less than human.
4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Ans: Mandela
thanks the international leaders for attending his inauguration. Their presence
showed support for justice, peace, and human dignity, and he felt privileged to
host them.
5. What ideals does Mandela set for the future of South
Africa?
Ans: Mandela
sets ideals of ending poverty, eliminating suffering, and creating a society
where there is no discrimination based on gender or race.
Oral
Comprehension Check
1. What did the military generals do, and how did their
attitude change?
Ans: The
military generals saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty. This was a big
change from the past when they treated blacks harshly.
2. Why were two national anthems sung?
Ans: Two
national anthems were sung—one by the white people and one by the black people.
This symbolized equality between the two races.
3. How does Mandela describe the systems of government in
his country in the first and final decades of the 20th century?
4. What does courage mean to Mandela?
Ans: For
Mandela, courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it. He
believes brave people can face fear and still do what is right.
5. What does Mandela believe is more natural, love or
hate?
Ans: Mandela
believes love is more natural than hate.
Oral
Comprehension Check (Continued)
1. What "twin obligations" does Mandela
mention?
Ans: Mandela
talks about two obligations: the first is to his family, and the second is to
his people, his community, and his country.
2. What did freedom mean to Mandela as a boy and as a
student, and how does he contrast "transitory freedoms" with
"basic and honorable freedoms"?
Ans: As
a boy, freedom meant being able to play and enjoy life. As he grew older, he
realized that freedom meant responsibilities, like earning a living. Transitory
freedoms are short-term pleasures, while basic freedoms are long-lasting rights
that give dignity.
3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why or why
not?
Ans: Mandela
does not think the oppressor is free. He believes oppressors are trapped in
hatred and prejudice, and they lose their humanity just like the oppressed.
Thinking
about the Text
1. Why did so many international leaders attend the
inauguration? What did it signify?
Ans: The
large number of international leaders attended to show support for the end of
apartheid. It symbolized the victory of good over evil and the triumph of
tolerance and equality.
2. What does Mandela mean when he says he is "simply
the sum of all those African patriots" who came before him?
Ans: Mandela
is paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for freedom. He believes
that he represents all the heroes who helped make his victory possible.
3. Do you agree that "depths of oppression"
create "heights of character"? How does Mandela illustrate this?
Ans: Yes,
I agree. Mandela talks about how oppression created strong, brave leaders in
South Africa. Similarly, in India's freedom struggle, oppression brought out
many great leaders. The struggle against British rule produced leaders of
strong character, and the same is true for South Africa.
4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with
age and experience?
Ans: As
a boy, Mandela thought he was free because he followed his father's rules. But
as he grew older, he realized that all black people were not free. His desire
for freedom grew beyond himself and focused on the freedom of his people.
5. How did Mandela's 'hunger for freedom' change his
life?
Ans: Mandela's
desire for freedom transformed him from a scared young man into a bold leader.
His hunger for freedom led him to join the African National Congress and fight
for equality and justice for his people.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
1. What does 'Apartheid' mean?
Ans: Apartheid
was a system in South Africa that separated people based on their race. In this
system, black people were not free to fulfill their roles as parents, children,
or husbands.
2. What did Mandela think about the oppressor and the
oppressed?
Ans: Mandela
believed both the oppressor and the oppressed were deprived of their humanity.
The oppressor is trapped by hatred, and the oppressed lack faith in humanity.
Both need to be freed.
3. What ideals did Mandela set for the future of South
Africa during his swearing-in ceremony?
Ans: During
his swearing-in, Mandela focused on ending poverty, suffering, and
discrimination. He aimed for a society free from gender and racial
discrimination.
4. Why was the inauguration ceremony held at the
amphitheater near the Union Building in Pretoria?
Ans: The
ceremony took place there because it marked the first democratic, non-racial
government in South Africa. Leaders from over 140 countries and thousands of
South Africans of all races attended to make the day memorable.
5. Were people in South Africa able to fulfill their
personal or social obligations?
Ans: No,
people were not free to fulfill their obligations due to racial discrimination.
If they tried, they were punished and isolated for resisting the system.
6. Describe Mandela’s journey from being a prisoner to
becoming the first black President of South Africa.
Ans: Mandela
fought against racial discrimination throughout his life. After spending many
years in prison, South Africa held its first democratic elections. His party
won, and Mandela became the country’s first black President.
7. How does Mandela describe the government system in his
country (i) in the first decade, and (ii) in the final decade of the 20th
century?
8. What did freedom mean to Mandela as a boy and as a
student? How does he contrast “transitory freedoms” with “basic and honorable
freedoms”?
Ans: As
a boy, Mandela saw freedom as the ability to play and enjoy life. As a student,
he wanted freedom to stay out late and choose his own studies. Later, he
realized these were just temporary freedoms. He wanted the real freedom to
work, marry, and live with dignity, a freedom that everyone should have.
9. What were Mandela’s views on the first and last
decades of the twentieth century? Why did he feel overwhelmed by history during
his inauguration?
Ans: Mandela
reflected on how the first decade saw white rule and racial discrimination,
which caused suffering for black people. By the last decade, apartheid was
defeated, and a new democratic system was in place. At his inauguration,
Mandela felt overwhelmed by history because it marked the end of discrimination
and the beginning of a new, fairer South Africa.
