Page 18,19
Question 1.
Where did the ceremonies take
place ? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of
sandstones?
Answer:
The ceremonies took place in the campus of the Union Building of Pretoria,
which were attended by dignitaries and leaders of many nations. In India;
Rashtrapati Bhavan and Red Fort are buildings made of red sandstone.
Question 2.
Can you say how 10th May is
an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
Answer:
As South Africa is in the
Southern Hemisphere, may falls in the autumn season. Thus 10th May is an
‘autumn day’.
Question 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?
Answer:
By ‘an extraordinary human
disaster’ Mandela means to state the practice of apartheid in South Africa.
During this there was a racial segregation based on colour and the blacks
suffered a lot. They were not allowed to demand freedom or any right. Mandela
himself did spend many years on infamous ‘Robben Island’ as a prisoner where
he was beaten mercilessly. He considered it as great glorious human
achievement that a black person became the President of a country where the
blacks were not even considered human beings and were treated badly.
Question 4.
What does Mandela thank the
international leaders for ?
Answer:
Mandela felt very privileged to welcome the international leaders at the
swearing – in ceremony because not too long ago, the South Africans were
considered outlaws. He thus thanks all of them for having come to witness the
historical ceremony. This was a gesture of international recognition to a
newly born free democratic nation and it could be considered as a common
victory for justice, peace and human dignity.
Question 5.
What ideals does Nelson
Mandela set for the future of South Africa?
Answer:
Nelson Mandela set the ideals
of liberating people from bondage of poverty, deprivation and suffering. He
also set the ideal for a society where there would be no discrimination based
on gender or racial origins.
Page 21
Question 1.
What did the military
generals do ? How did their attitude change and why?
Answer:
The highest military generals
of South African defence force saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty which
was of great significance as during apartheid era they would have arrested
him. The change in their attitude was because of struggle and sacrifices put
in by many heroes of South Africa. This struggle not only ensured the freedom
of a nation struggling with apartheid, bur brought a change in mindsets of
many. 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:
One the auspicious occasion of the inauguration two national anthems: one by
the Whites and the other by the Blacks symbolising the equality of the Blacks
and the Whites were sung.
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:
(i) In the first decade of the
century, the whites erected a system of racial domination against the blacks,
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 20th century, the . previous system had been overturned and
replaced by one which recognised rights and freedom of all people regardless
of color of their skin.
Question 4.
What does courage mean to
Mandela?
Answer:
For Mandela courage does not mean the absence of fear but a victory over
fear. According to him brave men need not be fearless but should be able to
conquer fear.
Question 5.
Which does Mandela think is
natural, to love or to hate?
Answer:
For Mandela, love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate.
Page 4
Question 1.
What “twin obligations” does
Mandela mention?
Answer:
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.
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 honourable freedoms”?
Answer:
Like any other kid, for Mandela
freedom meant to make merry and enjoy the blissful life. Once one becomes an
adult, antics of childhood looks like transitory because most of the childish
activities are wasteful from an adult’s perspective. Once you are adult, you
have to earn a livelihood to bring the bacon home. Its only then when you get
an honourable existence in the family and in the society.
Question 3.
Does Mandela think the
oppressor is free? Why/why not?
Answer:
Mandela does not think that the
oppressor is free because according to him an oppressor is a victim of hatred
who is behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He realises that
both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of their humanity and peace.
Thinking about the Text
(Page 24)
Question 1.
Why did such a large number
of international leaders attend the inauguration ? What did it signify the
triumph of?
Answer:
To be the part of the inauguration, international leaders showed a gesture
of solidarity from international community to the idea of end of apartheid. It
was the significance of the victory of good over evil and triumph of a
tolerant society without any discrimination.
Question 2.
What does Mandela mean when
he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots”, who had gone
before him ?
Answer:
By saying that he is simply the sum of all those African patriots, Mandela
wants to pay his tribute to all the people who have sacrificed their lives for
the sake of freedom. He says that he is grateful to those who had gone before
him because those heroes of past had 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.
Question 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 ?
Answer:
I 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 inspired to sacrifice their lives in the
long freedom struggle.
India is full of
such examples, during our freedom struggle there was a galaxy of leaders of
great characters and the oppression of British rule created and encouraged
people of noble characters like Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai, JL Nehru,
Chandra Shekhar Ajad, Sardar Bhagat Singh and many more. If we compare them
with the quality of political leaders India is having today, then Nelson
Mandela seems to be absolutely right;
Question 4.
How did Mandela’s
understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Answer:
With age and experience,
Mandela understood the real meaning of freedom. As a young boy, he thought
that he was born free and believed that as long as he obeyed his father and
abided by the customs of his tribe, he was free in every possible manner. As
he grew older, freedom to raise a family and freedom to earn livelihood
started dominating his thoughts. Gradually he realised that he was selfish
during his boyhood. He slowly understood that it was not just his freedom that
was being curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. It was the freedom from
fear and prejudice. Age and experience widened his perspective of freedom.
Question 5.
How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for
freedom’ change his life?
Answer:
Mandela realised in his youth that it was not just his freedom that was
being curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. This changed the fearfulman to
a fearless rebel.
He sacrificed the
comforts of a settled family life to fight for a greater cause. He joined the
African National Congress and this changed him from a frightened young man
into a bold one who fought against racial prejudice.
Thinking about Language
(Page 24,25,26)
Questions
1. There are nouns in the text
(formation, government) which are formed from the corresponding verbs (form,
govern) by suffixing – (at)ion or ment. There may be change in the spelling of
some verb – noun pairs ; such as rebel, rebellion; constitute,
constitution.
Make a list of such pairs
of nouns and verbs in the text
| Noun | Verb |
| Rebellion | Rebel |
| Constitution | Constitute |
2. 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’)
(i) Mr Singh
regularly invites the Amitabh Bachchans and the Shah Rukh Khans to his
parties.
(ii) Many people think that
Madhuri Dixit is the Madhubala of our times.
(in) History is not only the story of the Alexanders, the Napoleons and the
Hitlers, but of ordinary people as well.
3. 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.)
| A | B | |
| 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 |
Answers:
1. Ans:
| Noun | Verb |
| Rebellion | Rebel |
| Constitution | Constitute |
| Formation | Form |
| Government | Govern |
| Obligation | Oblige |
| Transformation | Transform |
| Discrimination | Discriminate |
| Deprivation | Deprive |
| Demonstration | Demonstrate |
| Oppression | Oppress |
| Imagination | Imagine |
2. Ans:
(i) : This means that Mr
Singh regularly invites famous personalities as of the calibre of Amitabh
Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan to his parties.
(ii) This means that Madhuri Dixit is compared to a landmark in acting in
the form of legendary actress Madhubala.
(iii) 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.
3. Ans:
| A | B | ||
| 1. | I was not unmindful of the fact | (i) | had not forgotten;was aware of the fact not endure the |
| 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 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 |