NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Long Walk to Freedom By Nelson Mandela

Last Updated on February 5, 2023 by Admin

Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Long Walk to Freedom By Nelson Mandela.

Chapter 2 Long Walk to Freedom By Nelson Mandela

Theme of the lesson

This lesson pays tribute to those black heroes and patriots who waged a relentless struggle against the apartheid or the racist regime of South Africa. It gives a message of peace, unity, equality, liberation all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. The victory over apartheid was a common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity.

About the Author

An anti-apartheid activist, political leader, and philanthropist Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan in the village of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa on 18 July 1918. His mother’s name was Noqaphi Nosekeni and his father’s name was Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa. 

Nelson Mandela was the architect of the fight against Apartheid, a political system that separates people according to their race. Mandela, and his African National Congress, spent a lifetime fighting against apartheid. Mandela had to spend thirty years in prison. Finally, democratic elections were held in South Africa in 1994, and Mandela became the first black President of a new nation after more than three centuries of white rule. His African National Congress (ANC) party won 252 of the 400 seats in first democratic elections of South Africa’s history. He served as President of South Africa from 10 May 1994 to 16 June 1999. After suffering from a prolonged respiratory infection, he died on 5 December 2013 at the age of 95.

About the Lesson

In this extract from his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela speaks about a historic occasion, ‘the inauguration’. The inauguration ceremony took place in the Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria, attended by politicians and dignitaries from more than 140 countries around the world. During his presidential inaugural service Mandela said, “Never, never again will this beautiful land experience the oppression of one by another”.

Jubilant scenes on the streets of Pretoria followed the ceremony with blacks, whites and coloureds celebrating together. More than 100,000 South African men, women and children of all races sang and danced with joy. 

Apart from Nelson Mandela as President, two more people were sworn in as Deputy President. Mr de Klerk was first sworn in as second deputy president. Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first deputy president. In his inaugural speech Mandela expresses his joy over the new born liberty for South Africa.This historic occasion brought an end the cruel racial discrimination prevailed in South Africa and rights, freedom of all people were recognised regardless of the colour of their skin. 

For the leaders who fought for racial freedom, it was an emotional time as apartheid created a deep and lasting wound for South Africa and they realise that it will take many years for them to recover from that profound hurt. 

Nelson Mandela expressed how the struggle during his fight against apartheid made him learn meaning of courage. He also expresses at length how he committed his life to the freedom struggle against apartheid and how he joined the African National Congress, and how his hunger for freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of people of South Africa. 

He narrated very well and explained how a man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, prejudice and narrow mindedness. He is not truly free if he is taking away someone else’s freedom. Surely, he is not free when his freedom is taken away from him. Thus the oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.

Activity

In Column A are some expressions you will find in the text. Make a guess and match each expression with an appropriate meaning from Column B.

(i) A rainbow gathering of different colours and nations (a) A great ability (almost unimaginable) to remain unchanged by suffering (not losing hope, goodness or courage)

(ii) The seat of white supremacy(b) A half-secret life, like a life lived in the fading light between sunset and darkness

(iii) Be overwhelmed with a sense of history (c) A sign of human feeling (goodness, kindness, pity,justice, etc.)

(iv) Resilience that defies the imagination(d) A beautiful coming together of various peoples, like the colours in a rainbow

(v) A glimmer of humanity (e) The centre of racial superiority

(vi) A twilight existence(f) Feel deeply emotional, remembering and understanding all the past events that have led up to the moment

Ans:

Paragraph-1 [TENTH May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days I had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil.]

Explanation: 10th May was the day when Nelson Mandela sworn in as the first black President of South Africa. Here Mandela refers to the day as “bright and clear” as after years of struggle Mandela’s anti-racist party came into power and he was going to be elected as the first black president of South Africa. Before that the seat had always been occupied by white Presidents. For the past few days means- before the date of inauguration, he was surrounded closely by many distinguished personalities who were coming there to pay their respects before the inauguration – means they started congratulating him for his victory over apartheid political system. Mandela here mentions that for the first time in the history of South Africa, so many international leaders came together to attend that inauguration ceremony.

Gathering ─ (जनसमूह) an assembly or meeting, especially one held for a specific purpose.
Paragraph- 2 [The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.] 

Explanation: The ceremonies took place in an open circular building made of sandstone consisting of Union buildings in the Pretoria , the administrative capital of South Africa. Mandela says that for many decades this shad been the seat of white supremacy means- the seat had always been occupied by white Presidents. But now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first freely and fairly elected democratic, non-racial government.

Paragraph- 3 [On that lovely autumn day I was accompanied by my daughter Zenani. On the podium, Mr de Klerk was first sworn in as second deputy president. Then Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first deputy president. When it was my turn, I pledged to obey and uphold the Constitution and to devote myself to the well being of the Republic and its people.]

Explanation: Mandela referred 10th may as a lovely auntum day because it was an auspicious day on which Nelson Mandela took the oath as the first black president of South Africa. Further the day marked as the establishment day of South African democracy and the abolishment of Apartheid system. 

The author was accompanied by his daughter, Zenani on his big day. First, the two Vice-Presidents took an oath. Then, when his turn came, he committed to respect, protect and abide by the Constitution and to devote his entire self into the welfare of the country- South Africa.

Paragraph- 4 [To the assembled guests and the watching world, I said:

Today, all of us do, by our presence here… confer glory and hope to newborn liberty. Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud.

We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil. We thank all of our distinguished international guests for having come to take possession with the people of our country of what is, after all, a common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity.]

Explanation:To the assembled guests and the watching world, Mandela said that everyone, by his presence was giving rise to hope for a new beginning- to newborn liberty. During the apartheid political system, rulers were discriminatory . That political system lasted for too long . But now Mr. Mandela’s African National Congress (ANC) party which had won 252 of the 400 seats in the first democratic elections of South Africa , is being given the opportunity to rule and would certainly stand up against discrimination. There will be a society in which all humanity will feel proud. 

Mandela feels himself glad to host a ceremony with the presence of distinguished international guests. It is an achievement in itself. There was a time when because of its policy of apartheid, many countries had earlier broken off diplomatic relations with South Africa. 

Now, the policy based on segregation on the grounds of race and gender has been abolished and due to this, other nations are also happy to have healthy democratic relationships with South Africa. 

Finally, they have come to power and they pledge to make everyone proud. Mr Mandela thanked everyone, especially the eminent international leaders for having come to take possession with the people of his country- for joining them in celebrating their great victory- their great achievement. It was a victory not only for people over there and nation but also for justice peace and human dignity.

Paragraph-5 [We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, डेप्रवेशन deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.

Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.

The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.

Let freedom reign. God bless Africa!]

Explanation: Here Mandela mentions that after great struggle, they have finally achieved political freedom. His government promised to free all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, डेप्रवेशन deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination- means he pledged to liberate all his countrymen from existing poverty, hardship and inequalities. Mandela assures everyone that in future the beautiful land of South Africa will never again experience the oppression of one by another- means no community will be considered inferior. Everyone will be treated equally. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement- means The days of oppression and brutality have ended now and the country will now see a life that no one could ever imagine, a life filled with peace and happiness. He then exclaims that freedom should rule and may god shower his blessings on South Africa.

Oral Comprehension Check-1 

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

Ans: The ceremonies took place in the sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The names of public buildings in India that are made of sandstone are- The Parliament House in New Delhi, the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi and Madras High Court in Chennai. 

Q 2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa? 

Ans: 10 May is an ‘autumn 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.

Q 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: The ‘extraordinary human disaster’ that Mandela mentioned at the beginning of his speech refers to the inhuman practice of apartheid (id est means “in other words) i.e., the racial discrimination suffered by the blacks at the hands of whites in South Africa. At the end, the ‘glorious human achievement’ that Mandela speaks of refers to the establishment of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government. 

Q 4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for? 

Ans: Mandela felt privileged to be the host to the nations of the world because not too long ago, the South Africans were considered outlaws. He thus thanked all the international leaders for having come to witness his investiture as President since this event could be considered as a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity.

Q 5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa? 

Ans: Mandela had high hopes for the future of South Africa. He pledged to liberate all South Africans from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. He also stressed that the beautiful land of South Africa would never ever experience racial discrimination again.

Paragraph- 6 [A few moments later we all lifted our eyes in awe as a spectacular array of South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers roared in perfect formation over the Union Buildings. It was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force, but a demonstrationof the military’s loyalty to democracy, to a new government that had been freely and fairly elected. Only moments before, the highest generals of the South African defence force and police, their chests bedecked with ribbons and medals from days gone by, saluted me and pledged their loyalty. I was not unmindful of the fact that not so many years before they would not have saluted but arrested me. Finally achevronof Impala jets left a smoke trail of the black, red, green, blue and gold of the new South African flag.]

Explanation: Here  Mandela says that Just after the newly elected Presidential address to the audience/gathering, everyone lifted their  heads up in the sky  to watch an impressive arrangement of African fighter jets, helicopter and troop carriers. It symbolised perfection as well as military’s respect, loyalty and obedience towards the free country- a new government that had been freely and fairly elected. Mandela says- The high commanders, who have won medals for their bravery, also saluted and pledged their loyalty. Mandela mentions that he was well aware of the fact that these commanders, who were now saluting him, would have arrested him under the previous rule apartheid as during this oppressive white supremacy, he was considered to be a criminal. Finally a chevron of Impala jets left a smoke trail of the black, red, green, blue and gold of the new South African flag.

Paragraph-7 [The day was symbolised for me by the playing of our two national anthems, and the vision of whites singing ‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika’ and blacks singing ‘Die Stem’, the old anthem of the Republic. Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem they once despised, they would soon know the words by heart.]

Explanation: Here Mandela remembers the day as the playing of two National Anthems of the country South Africa; one of the whites singing ‘NkosiSikelel –iAfrika’ (In English it means- ”God Bless Africa”)and the other, that of the blacks  singing ‘Die Stem’ (The Call of South Africa). On that day, no one knew the wordings of the anthem of the blacks but Mandela was confident that everyone would soon learn this anthem that they once  despisedorhated.

Paragraph- 8 [On the day of the inauguration, I was overwhelmed with a sense of history. In the first decade of the twentieth century, a few years after the bitter Anglo-Boer war and before my own birth, the white-skinned peoples of South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned peoples of their own land. The structure they created formed the basis of one of the harshest, most inhumane, societies the world has ever known. Now, in the last decade of the twentieth century, and my own eighth decade as a man, that system had been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.]

Explanation: On the day of the opening ceremony, Mr Mandela was remembering the days of past when the county was suffering from inhuman political system ‘apartheid’. In the first decade of the twentieth century, after the bitter Anglo-Boer war and before his birth, the white-skinned peoples of South Africa settled down their differences and  establish a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned peoples of their own land. It resulted in inequality and inferior treatment of dark-skinned people. They were deprived of their basic fundamental rights. As a result, one of the world’s most brutal and inhumane society was born. This political system created an atmosphere of extreme cruelty and injustice for dark skinned people. In the last decade of the twentieth century  and in his eighth decade as a man, Mandela says, that system had been invalidatedforever and replaced by one that recognisedthe rights and freedoms of all peoples, irrespective of their colour, caste, gender, or age.

Paragraph-9 [That day had come about through the unimaginable sacrifices of thousands of my people, people whose suffering and courage can never be counted or repaid. I felt that day, as I have on so many other days, that I was simply the sum of all those African patriots who had gone before me. That long and noble line ended and now began again with me. I was pained that I was not able to thank them and that they were not able to see what their sacrifices had wrought.]

Explanation: That day had come- here Mandela means to say that This equal and free country was a result of innumerable sacrifices of other men and women  who struggled  and fought all their lives for this day- the day of the installation of South Africa’s first democratic non racial government. The author wishes if he could thank them all but unfortunately, they are not alive to see the result of their courage and sacrifices. Nelson Mandela  feels sorry for not being able to thank them. He gathered his courage and power from all these people and thus, wishes to make them proud.

Paragraph-10 [The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in my country and my people. All of us will spend many years, if not generations, recovering from that profound hurt. But the decades of oppression and brutality had another, unintended, effect, and that was that it produced the Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief  Luthulis, the  Yusuf Dadoos, the  Bram Fischers, the Robert Sobukwes of our time* (* These are some prominent names in the struggle against apartheid.)— men of such extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity that their like may never be known again. Perhaps it requires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character. My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, but I have always known that its greatest wealth is its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds.]

Explanation: The oppression policy – unjust treatment by Whites upon Blacks of South Africa, created a deep and lasting wound -means scarred many people and it will take a long time for them to recover from that deep or intensehurt. The author mentions that the decades of unjust treatment or exercise and savage physical violencehad another, unplanned, effect means  this hard time had its negative impacts but it also exposed men of such extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity like Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulu, the Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, the Bram Fischers, the Robert Sobukweswho stood up and raised their voice against apartheid. Perhaps it requires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character -means- it required that level of unjust treatment to produce such great heroes- such heights of character . “My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, but I have always known that its greatest wealth is its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds.” Here Mandela says that his country, South Africa, is rich in minerals and gems but its greatest strength lies in its people. They are , finer and truer than the purest diamonds.

Paragraph-11 [It is from these comrades in the struggle that I learned the meaning of courage. Time and again, I have seen men and women risk and give their lives for an idea. I have seen men stand up to attacks and torture without breaking, showing a strength and resilience that defies the imagination. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.]

Explanation: Here Nelson Mandela mentions that he learned the meaning of courage and strength to stand against racial domination from his comrades that he mentioned above like Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, the Bram Fischers, the Robert Sobukwes . He also mentions that men and women of South Africa risked their lives for a good cause- freedom of their country. He has also seen people of South Africa  tolerated ill treatment by white suprimacy, but never stopped fighting.  From such hardships and difficulties Mandela learned that “courage” didn’t mean the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome fear. The man who overcomes his fear is called brave. In another words Mandela learned- courage does not mean the absence of fear but a victory over that fear. According to him, brave men need not be fearless but they should be able to conquer fear. He learned it from people who sacrificed their lives, despite being afraid, for freedom.

Paragraph-12 [No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Even in the grimmest times in prison, when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits, I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, perhaps just for a second, but it was enough to reassure me and keep me going. Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.]

Explanation: Here Mandela says that a man is neither inborn with hatred nor is taught by its society to hate humans because of their skin, background, colour, age, gender and religion. According to Mandela if people can be taught hatred, they can also be taught love and brotherhood because lovecomes more naturally to the human heart than hatred. In their most testing times in prison when Mandela and his fellows were pushed to the last point in their ability to bear pain, Mandela would see a glimmer of humanity- a pinch of humanity and kindness in one of the guards perhaps just for a second, but  it was enough for Mandela to make an effort to live normally in spite of difficulty. MrMandela believes that goodness in human beings can be hidden or suppressed but never ceased or extinguished or eliminated.

Oral Comprehension Check-2

Q 1. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why? 

Ans: The highest military generals of the South African defence force and police saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty. When the military generals saluted Mandela, he was not unmindful of the fact that not so many years ago, they would not have saluted him, but arrested him. This change in attitude was due to the fact that a new, non-racial government was elected and Mandela was then the President of South Africa.

Q 2. Why were two national anthems sung?

Ans: On the day of the inauguration, two national anthems were sung, ‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika’ by the whites, and ‘Die Stem’, the old anthem of the Republicby the blacks. This symbolized the equality of both blacks and whites.
Q 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? 

Ans: (i) In the first decade of the twentieth century, the white-skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned people of their own land, thus creating the basis of one of the harshest and most inhumane societies the world had ever known.

(ii) In the final decade, of the twentieth century, the previous system had been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognized the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.
Q 4.What does courage mean to Mandela?

Ans: On seeing men stand up to attacks and torture without breaking and thus showing strength and resilience that defied the imagination, Mandela learnt that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
Q 5. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate? 

Ans: For Mandela, love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate.

Paragraph:13 [In life, every man has twin obligations — obligations to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children; and he has an obligation to his people, his community, his country. In a civil and humane society, each man is able to fulfil those obligations according to his own  inclinations and abilities. But in a country like South Africa, it was almost impossible for a man of my birth and colour to fulfil both of those obligations. In South Africa, a man of colour who attempted to live as a human being was punished and isolated. In South Africa, a man who tried to fulfil his duty to his people was inevitably ripped from his family and his home and was forced to live a life apart, a twilight existence of secrecy and rebellion. I did not in the beginning choose to place my people above my family, but in attempting to serve my people, I found that I was prevented from fulfilling my obligations as a son, a brother, a father and a husband.]

Explanation: According to Nelson Mandela, in life, every man has two responsibilities- first, towards to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children and second, to his people, his community and his country. Generally, under normal circumstances, a person can maintain the balance between the two but in countries like South Africa, it was almost impossible especially for blacks like Mandela. When a person of colour would come up for his society, he would be punished and forced to spend his life in prison. In South Africa, if anyone tried tried to fulfil his duty to his people, he would be unavoidably arrested and taken away from his family and home and was forced to live apart from his own people.

“a twilight existence of secrecy and  rebellion” means the life of Mandela in prison was referred to be of twilight existence where he would not even know whether it was day or night. It was a life in isolation and secrecy.

In the beginning, Mandela did not put his people over his family, but it was only later when he realised that in  in attempting to serve his people, he was prevented from fulfilling his duties as a son, a brother, a father and a husband. In another words- he was compromising his duties towards his own family.

Paragraph:14 [I was not born with a hunger to be free. I was born free — free in every way that I could know. Free to run in the fields near my mother’s hut, free to swim in the clear stream that ran through my village, free to roast mealies under the stars and ride the broad backs of slow-moving bulls. As long as I obeyed my father and abided by the customs of my tribe, I was not troubled by the laws of man or God. It was only when I began to learn that my boyhood freedom was an illusion, when I discovered as a young man that my freedom had already been taken from me, that I began to hunger for it. At first, as a student, I wanted freedom only for myself, the transitory freedoms of being able to stay out at night, read what I pleased and go where I chose. Later, as a young man in Johannesburg, I yearned for the basic and honourable freedoms of achieving my potential, of earning my keep, of marrying and having a family — the freedom not to be obstructed in a lawful life.]

Explanation: In this paragraph, Nelson Mandela’s deals with his early Journeys towards Political Awareness. He says that he did not have the desire to be free. In his early life, he did not have the plan to stand against the racial domination or apartheid political system. As a child, he thought that he was free because for him freedom meant being free to run in the fields near his mother’s hut, free to swim in the clear stream that ran through his village, free to roast mealies under the stars and ride the broad backs of slow-moving bulls. Thus, he  lived his childhood like any normal child. As long as he followed the rules set up by his father or the customs of his tribe, he was not troubled by the laws of man or God. But when he grew old, he understood the basic standards of freedom. As a young man when he discovered that his freedom had already been taken from him, he began to learn that his boyhood freedom was an illusion and then, he started to desire for it. He also decided to stand against this discriminatory political system. Earlier, as a student, Mandela wanted freedom only for himself, the temporary freedoms of being able to stay out at night, read what he pleased and go where he chose or where he wanted to go. Later, as a young man in Johannesburg which is South Africa’s biggest city, he desired for having a basic and honourable freedoms not just for himself, but for everyone- of achieving his potential/ latent qualities or abilities, of, earning his keep (earning his keep (idiom) = to perform sufficient work or help in exchange for money or housing) of marrying and having a family — the freedom not to be obstructed/ prevented or hindered in a lawful life.

Paragraph:15 [But then I slowly saw that not only was I not free, but my brothers and sisters were not free. I saw that it was not just my freedom that was curtailed, but the freedom of everyone who looked like I did. That is when I joined the African National Congress, and that is when the hunger for my own freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of my people. 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, that forced a life-loving man to live like a monk. I am no more virtuous or self-sacrificing than the next man, but I found that I could not even enjoy the poor and limited freedoms I was allowed when I knew my people were not free. Freedom is indivisible; the chains on anyone of my people were the chains on all of them, the chains on all of my people were the chains on me.]

Explanation: Nelson Mandela gradually realised that  it was not only him whose basic rights were taken away but his brothers and sisters were also not free. He saw that it was not just his freedom that was restricted, but the freedom of all those who looked like him. That was when he joined the African National Congress (ANC), and that was when the hunger for Mandela’s own freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of his people. He had this fire/desire inside him to free his people from the continuing bondage, poverty and injustice and to live their lives with dignity and self-respect. It was this desire for freedom that animated or inspired and transformed or changed his life completely as a man. A frightened/ scared young man was transformed into a bold one, a law-abiding attorney (=lawyer who obeys rules) into a criminal, a family- loving husband/ man into a man without a home and a life-loving man into a monk. The author says that he is no more virtuous/worthy or self-sacrificing than the next man, but, when he came to know his people were not free, he found that he could not even enjoy the poor and limited freedoms he was allowed.

Nelson Mandela: the embodiment of Freedom and Equality reveals “Freedom is indivisible” means freedom cannot be divided. He says, the chains on any one of his people were the chains on all of them, the chains on all of his people were the chains on him. Mandela realized not only he was suppressed, barred but also his people were too. Even the oppressor and oppressed both were suffering from the lack of freedom. Thus, students you can see Nelson Mandels was such a humble man who never felt the need to emphasise his own accomplishments. For him it was a personal ideal with a universal vision of freedom and equality for every man.

Paragraph:16 [I 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; he is locked behind the bars of  prejudice and narrow-mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.]

Explanation: Here Mandela says that the person or group that oppresses people must be freed/ released just as surely as the oppressed/exploited/subjugated because a man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred; he is locked behind the bars of prejudice (preconception/preconceived opinion) and narrow-mindedness. In another words, the oppressor is bounded by the shackles/ fetters of hatred. He is not truly free  or we  can say no one is free if he takes away someone else’s freedom. Surely, he is not free when his freedom is taken away from him. Thus, the oppressed means= downtrodden/ abused/ exploited and the oppressor/persecutor areequally robbed of their humanity. In another words, we can say both of them are actually the victim of hatred. Everyone is obliged to discharge  their duties whether personal or social but without freedom a man cannot do so. The person who snatches this freedom of a others is really an oppressor and a prisoner of  hatred. He has lack of humanity. But this is the same with a person who is oppressed or exploited  by other.

Oral Comprehension Check-3

Q1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?

Ans: Mandela mentions 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.

Q2. 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: As a boy, Mandela did not have a hunger to be free as he thought that he was born free. As long as he obeyed his father and abided by the customs of his tribe, he was free in every way he knew. As a student, he wanted certain “transitory freedoms” only for himself, such as being able to stay out at night, read what he pleased and go where he chose. He then talks about certain ‘basic honourable freedoms’ such as achieving his potential of earning his living and of marrying and having a family. He builds the contrast between these two freedoms by stating that the transitory freedoms he wanted were limited to him, whereas the honourable freedoms had to do more with his and his people’s position in the society.

Q3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?

Ans: Mandela does not feel that the oppressor is free because according to him an oppressor is a prisoner of hatred, who is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He feels that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of their humanity.

Textual Question Answers

Q1. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?

Ans: A large number of international leaders attended the inauguration to show their support for the emancipation of the South African blacks after long years of fight against apartheid. It signified the triumph of justice, peace and human dignity.

Q2. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?

Ans: When Mandela says that he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots”, he means that he is built by the combination of courage, wisdom and generosity possessed by his African patriots who sacrificed their lives to see the light of freedom. He wants to pay tributes to his inspirations who with their efforts and struggles made the road to freedom easier for Mandela. He was pained that he could not thank them and that they could not see what their sacrifices had wrought.

Q3. 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 agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”. Mandela thought that the decades of humilation, brutality and oppression at the hands of the white supremacy had an unintended effect of creating many African patriots with unimaginable heights of character like the Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, the Bram Fischers, the Robert Sobukwes . Thus, he felt that the greatest wealth of South Africa is its people. We can add similar examples to this argument like Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh and so on who remained courageous while facing utmost cruelty at the hands of British.

Q4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?

Ans: As a boy, Mandela did not have a hunger for freedom because he thought that he was born free. He believed that as long as he obeyed his father and abided by the customs of his tribe/ clan, he was free in every possible manner. He had certain needs as a teenager and certain needs as a young man.  As a student, he yearned  for freedom which he considered important for himself like staying out at night, reading what it pleases him and go where he chose. Later, as a young man in Johannesburg, he yearned for the freedom to lead a basic, dignified life. Gradually, he realized that he was selfish during his boyhood. He slowly understands that it is not just his freedom that is being curtailed/ restricted , but everyone in his community  who looked like him was barred from leading a normal, lawful life.

That is when he joined the African National Congress and  his hunger for his own freedom transformed into the greater hunger for the freedom of his people.

Q5. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?

Ans: Mandela realized in his youth that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. The hunger for his own freedom became the hunger for the freedom of his people. This desire of a non-racial society transformed him into a virtuous and self-sacrificing man. Thus, he joined the African National Congress and this changed him from a frightened young man into a bold man.

Q2: 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 regularly 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: 1. This means that Mr Singh regularly invites famous personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan to his parties.

2. This means that Madhuri Dixit is compared to a landmark in acting in the form of legendary actress Madhubala.

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.

Q3: Match, the italicised phrases in Column A with the phrase nearest meaning in Column B.

 (Hint: First look for the sentence in the text which the phrase in column A occurs.) 

1. I was not unmindful of the fact.

(i) had not forgotten: was aware of the fact

(ii) was not 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 honourable freedoms of … earning my keep…

(i) earning enough money to live on

(ii) keeping what I earned

(iii) getting a good salary

Answer:

1. I was not unmindful of the fact

(i) had not forgotten; was aware of the fact

2.When my comrades and I were pushed to our limits

(iii) felt that we could not endure the suffering any longer

 3.To reassure me and keep me going

(ii) help me continue to live in hope in this very difficult situation

4.The basic and honourable freedoms of … earning my keep…

(i) earning enough money to live on

I hope that you would have enjoyed NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Long Walk to Freedom By Nelson Mandela. If you have any query regarding this chapter, please feel free to get in touch with me through comment box or social media and I assure you to resolve all your queries related to the topic as soon as possible.