Class 10 Englsh Chapter - Long Walk to Freedom

 

 Class 10 English

Class 10 English syllabus. Class 10 English Book

First Flight

Chapter 1 - A letter to God

Chapter 2 -  Long Walk to Freedom

Chapter - “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”:

Author - Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Book - Class 10 English First Flight 

Summary

The extract from Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is taken from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president. It describes the historic day of 10 May 1994, when he took the oath of office after the country’s first democratic, non-racial elections. This moment marked the end of the long struggle against apartheid, a system of racial discrimination and oppression.

 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

Mandela describes the inauguration ceremony attended by world leaders and dignitaries, showing how South Africa had transformed from a pariah state to a respected democratic nation. He remembers the sacrifices of countless men and women who fought for freedom, many of whom never lived to see this day.

Mandela speaks about courage as not the absence of fear, but the ability to triumph over it. He acknowledges that the oppressor must be liberated just as much as the oppressed, for both are robbed of their humanity by injustice.

He also reflects on his understanding of freedom:

• As a child, he thought freedom meant the ability to run and play.
• As a young man, he realized it meant living with dignity and having equal opportunities.
• As an adult, he understood that his own freedom was incomplete without the freedom of all South Africans.
  
  

The chapter ends with Mandela’s vision of a society where no one is oppressed, and all live in harmony with equal rights.

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom — NCERT Solutions

Oral Comprehension Check

(Pg. 18)

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

• The ceremonies took place in the sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa.
• In India, examples of sandstone buildings include the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Red Fort, and the Supreme Court of India.

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

• In South Africa, May falls in the autumn season. 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ literally because of the season, and symbolically because it marked the end of the long, harsh “winter” of apartheid and the beginning of a new democratic era.

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?

• “An extraordinary human disaster” refers to the inhuman system of apartheid that caused decades of racial oppression in South Africa.
• The “glorious... human achievement” refers to the establishment of a free, democratic nation where all citizens have equal rights regardless of race.

4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

• He thanks them for coming to South Africa to witness and celebrate the country’s first democratic government. Their presence symbolised global recognition and support for South Africa’s transformation.

5. What ideals does Mandela set for the future of South Africa?

• Mandela’s ideals include peace, prosperity, a non-racial and just society, and equal opportunities for all citizens, free from poverty and discrimination.

Oral Comprehension Check

(Pg. 21)

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

• The military generals saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty to the new government. Earlier, they supported apartheid and considered black leaders as enemies. Their attitude changed because a new democratic government had been formed and they recognised Mandela as their legitimate president.

2. Why were two national anthems sung?

• Two anthems were sung — one by the whites (Die Stem), and the other by the blacks (Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika). This was to symbolise the equality of both races and the unity of the new South Africa.

3. How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country in the first decade, and in the final decade, of the twentieth century?

• In the first decade of the twentieth century, white supremacy was established, which resulted in racial discrimination and the oppression of black people.
• In the final decade of the century, the system of apartheid was abolished, and democracy was established, giving equal rights to all races.

4. What does courage mean to Mandela?

• For Mandela, courage does not mean the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. A brave person is not one who feels no fear, but one who conquers that fear.

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

• Mandela believes love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate.

Oral Comprehension Check

(Pg. 24)

1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?

• The first obligation is to his family, parents, wife, and children.
• The second is to his people, community, and country.

2. What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does he contrast these “transitory freedoms” with “the basic and honourable freedoms”?

• As a boy, freedom meant the ability to run in the fields, swim, and play without restriction.
• As a student, freedom meant being able to stay out at night, read what he liked, and choose his own career.
• These were “transitory freedoms” compared to the “basic and honourable freedoms” — to live with dignity, to have equal opportunities, and to be free from oppression.

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

• No, Mandela believes the oppressor is not free because he is also a prisoner of hatred and prejudice. Both the oppressed and the oppressor are robbed of their humanity.

Thinking about the Text

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

• They attended to show their solidarity and support for the new democratic South Africa.
• It signified the triumph of justice, equality, and human dignity over oppression and racial discrimination.

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

• Mandela means that his success was the result of the sacrifices and struggles of countless freedom fighters before him. He saw himself as a representative of their collective efforts, not just his own achievements.

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?

• Yes, great leaders often emerge in times of extreme hardship. Mandela explains that decades of racial oppression in South Africa produced men of courage, wisdom, and generosity, such as Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, and others.
• Example: Mahatma Gandhi developed his leadership qualities during India’s struggle for independence against British colonial rule.

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

• As a child, freedom meant personal enjoyment and unrestricted play.
• As a young man, it meant the ability to make his own choices in life.
• With maturity, he realised true freedom meant the liberty of all people, free from the chains of prejudice and injustice.

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

• His desire for the freedom of his people turned him from a law-abiding attorney into a rebel against apartheid. It transformed him into a leader, made him join the African National Congress, and led him to sacrifice his personal life, comfort, and family for the cause of freedom.

Worksheet – Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Part A – Oral Comprehension Check

1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Name any two public buildings in India that are made of sandstone.

2. Why is 10 May referred to as an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?

3. What does Mandela mean by “an extraordinary human disaster” and “a glorious... human achievement”?

4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

5. State any two ideals Mandela sets for the future of South Africa.

6. What change is seen in the attitude of the military generals towards Mandela?

7. Why were two national anthems sung during the ceremony?

8. How does Mandela describe the system of government in his country in the first and the last decades of the 20th century?

9. What does courage mean to Mandela?

10. Which comes more naturally to the human heart, according to Mandela: love or hate?

11. What are the “twin obligations” Mandela speaks of?

12. What did freedom mean to Mandela as a boy and as a student?

13. Why does Mandela believe the oppressor is not free?

Part B – Thinking about the Text

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

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

3. Do you agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”? Support your answer with examples.

4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change over the years?

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

Part C – Vocabulary and Language Skills

1. Find synonyms from the text for the following words:
   

   • triumph
   • fairness
   • honour

2. Find antonyms from the text for the following words:
   

   • defeat
   • conflict
   • division

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the passage:
   a. Mandela believed that no one is born hating another person because of the ______ of his skin.
   b. The inauguration took place in the ______ amphitheater formed by the Union Buildings.
   c. The system of apartheid robbed people of their ______ and humanity.

Part D – Long Answer Practice

1. Describe the transformation of South Africa from an apartheid state to a democratic nation as narrated by Mandela.

2. Explain Mandela’s idea of courage with examples from the text.

3. Discuss how Mandela’s childhood perception of freedom differed from his understanding of freedom as an adult.

4. “Both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of their humanity.” Explain with reference to the lesson.