CBSE Class 10 English Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom Important Questions Set 03

Short Answer Questions

Question 1. What according to Mr. Mandela are the ‘twin obligations’ that every man has?
Answer: The two obligations that every man has are: one, towards his family, parents, wife and children, and the other towards his people, his community and his country.

Question 2. What does Mr. Mandela say about the oppressor?
Answer: About the oppressor, Mr. Mandela says that an oppressor who takes away the freedom of someone else is not free either. An oppressor is a prisoner of hatred. Such a person is a captive of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. Mr. Mandela feels that the oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.

Question 3. Can you tell how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa? (NCERT)
Answer: South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, hence it has the autumn season during the month of May.

Question 4. 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? (NCERT)
Answer: The system of government in the first decade of the twentieth century was that of discrimination, oppression and cruelty. In the final decade, it had changed to a system based on equality and justice.

Question 5. What did being free means to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does he contrast these “transitory freedoms” with “the basic and honourable freedoms”? (NCERT)
Answer: As a boy, freedom to Mandela meant being able to run in the fields near his mother’s hut. As a student, it meant being able to read what one wanted, do what one wanted and go where one wanted. These were transitory freedoms. He contrasts these with the basic freedom to live a life of dignity and self respect, not under any oppression. He realised that he and his people did not have these basic and honourable freedoms.

Question 6. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not? (NCERT)
Answer: Mandela does not think that the oppressor is free. He believes that the oppressor is a prisoner of hatred. He is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness.

Question 7. 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? (NCERT)
Answer: I agree with Mandela when he says that it is only when the oppression is at its deepest that the characters of those fighting it, touch new heights. He himself is an example of how, on being a part of the oppression, he could have greatness of thought and see even the oppressor as a slave of hatred.

Question 8. Who all took oath of office along with Nelson Mandela?
Answer: Along with Nelson Mandela taking oath as the first Black President of South Africa, Mr de Klerk was sworn in as second deputy president and Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first deputy president.

Question 9. What did the display of air power at the ceremony demonstrate?
Answer: The spectacular array of South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers not only displayed pinpoint precision and military force but also demonstrated the military’s loyalty to democracy, to a new government that had been freely and fairly elected.

Question 10. Which event symbolised the day for Nelson Mandela?
Answer: The day was symbolised for Mandela by playing the two national anthems with the whites singing ‘Nkosi Sikelel–iAfrika’ and the blacks singing ‘Die Stem’, the old anthem of the Republic.

Question 11. Where did the inauguration ceremony of the first African President, Nelson Mandela take place?
Answer: The inauguration ceremony of the first African President, Nelson Mandela took place in the Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of White supremacy, and now it was the gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.

Question 12. What does Mandela mean by the phrase ‘rainbow gathering'?
Answer: By the phrase ‘rainbow gathering' Mandela meant the presence of different dignitaries from different nations across the world at the amphitheatre for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government. For decades South Africa was the seat of White supremacy.

Long Answer Questions

Question 1. Man is a social animal. He has some obligations to society. What twin obligations does Mandela mention? How can one fulfil these obligations?
Answer: Man is a social animal and has some social obligations to society. Nelson Mandela understood the importance of being social. Mandela talks about twin obligations—obligation to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children. This is the first and the most important obligation that every man has to fulfil in his life. Another obligation is to his people, to his community and to his nation. He emphasises that in a civil society, each one of us should fulfil these obligations. It is the responsibility of the government to provide an atmosphere where a person can fulfil these obligations. But in a country like South Africa, it was not possible to fulfil these obligations because of discrimination. It was an era of oppression and torture for the black Africans in their own country. They were not allowed even the basic freedom of living a dignified life.

Question 2. Nelson Mandela points out some human qualities in his speech. Which of these qualities impresses you the most? Do you think these qualities have become rare nowadays?
Answer: In the truest sense, nowadays human qualities that Nelson Mandela points out in his speech are hardly found. Today, people almost lack qualities like love, compassion and truthfulness. According to Nelson Mandela, love, compassion and truthfulness are essential human qualities. He fought against the discrimination meted out to his people in South Africa and realised that those who are oppressors lack the qualities of a human being. Those who deny basic freedoms to all are not real human beings. The real human being is one who has love, kindness and respect for all.

Question 3. How did Nelson Mandela pay a tribute to the black people who sacrificed their lives for attaining freedom for their country? How can we do it for our country?
Answer: Nelson Mandela had to fight against the inhumane government in South Africa. He fought against the policy of apartheid. He was not the first leader to initiate this movement. He joined them and succeeded. But he did not take entire credit for his success. He recognised their contribution and paid them a befitting tribute. He called himself simply the sum of all those Africans patriots who had laid the path towards the achievement of success. He continued the movement started by them. On the day of installation of the government, he missed all of them and expressed his gratitude towards them.

Question 4. Why was Nelson Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of victory? How did he succeed in ending the apartheid regime in South Africa? (Delhi 2020)
Answer: Nelson Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of victory. He was overwhelmed by man’s struggle against oppression and exploitations. It was a fight against the inhumane government in South Africa. He fought against the policy of Apartheid. He was not the first leader to initiate this movement. He joined other leaders who started it. He recognized their contribution and paid a befitting tribute. He called himself simply the sum of all those African patriots who had laid the path towards the achievement of success. He continued the struggle against Apartheid. The oppression, exploitation and discrimination against the blacks came to an end. It was a great victory after a long fight. It was an end of inhumane government in South Africa. The elected government was a victory for democracy.

Question 5. After having read the lesson on the oppression that communities faced in South Africa, you were deeply hurt. You could also relate to the struggles and hardships of millions of Indians who fought against the oppressive British rule. Write a diary entry expressing your feelings about the oppression faced by people in their homeland.
You may begin like this:
24 August 20XX, Monday, 9:00 pm
My heart is filled with sadness as I think of the oppressed and how they had to tolerate the inhuman attitude of the oppressors in their own land...
Answer: 24 August 20XX, Monday
9:00 pm
Dear Diary,
My heart is filled with sadness as I think of the oppressed and how they had to tolerate the inhuman attitude of the oppressors in their own land. The sufferings of the people in South Africa reminded me of the same oppression that the people of India faced under British rule. Indians were brutally deprived of their riches, rights and freedom. They weren’t even allowed to raise a voice against that oppression. People were treated like slaves in their own country. Due to that ill-treatment, people suffered drastic losses of physical and mental health.
I wonder how brave those people must have been who fought against the oppression and led their countries to freedom. We should be grateful to them. It is because of those freedom fighters that we live with liberty in our homelands today.
XYZ

Question 6. Describe the significance of freedom for individuals and its role in the growth of civilisation and humanism, as portrayed in the lesson ‘Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’.
Answer: A person who has never experienced freedom is better able to appreciate its worth. Freedom is more valuable to someone who is confined by strict rules and unable to carry out his responsibilities without hindrance. For example, Mandela, who spent a large part of his life in prison, had a greater understanding of the value of freedom. A bird or animal that is caged is used to living with full freedom, but in the cage it is not free and its condition is pitiable. Similarly, life becomes hell if we are deprived of freedom. Civilisation cannot develop until individuals are free. Similarly, humanism grows only in an atmosphere of freedom.

Question 7. 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? (NCERT)
Answer: I agree with the statement that the 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 character. The oppression of British rule created and encouraged people of noble character like Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai, Jawaharlal Nehru, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh and many more. If we compare them with many political leaders of today, Nelson Mandela seems to be absolutely right.

Question 8. You have been chosen to address a student gathering from the neighbourhood schools, to speak on the resilience of the human spirit required to transcend discrimination. Prepare the speech draft in not more than 120 words, with reference to the commonality of themes in ‘Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ and ‘The Trees’ by Adrienne Rich.
You may begin this way:
Good morning, everyone. Today, I’d like to discuss two pieces of literature that offer a powerful insight into the resilience of the human spirit required to transcend discrimination.
You may end this way:
To conclude, I’d like to say that ... Thank you. (CBSE SQP 2023)
Answer: Good morning, everyone. Today, I’d like to discuss two pieces of literature that offer a powerful insight into the resilience of the human spirit required to transcend discrimination. These pieces are ‘Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ and ‘The Trees’.
In both pieces, the resilience of the human spirit proves able to overcome discrimination. Mandela had the grit and determination to abolish the racism that prevailed against black people in South Africa. He fought that discrimination while facing many challenges in his life only because he was resilient.
Similarly, in the poem ‘The Trees’, the poet uses the image of trees to depict the journey of women in the world fighting for their rights. She shows how hard work, perseverance and grit can defeat any challenge in the way of attaining our human rights.
To conclude, I’d like to say that we should learn from these pieces that no matter what comes in our way, we should have the resilience of spirit to transcend discrimination and speak up for our rights.
Thank you.

Question 9. In the story ‘A Letter to God’, despite the loss, Lencho maintains hope in the help of God. Similarly, the theme of hope and resilience is prevalent in Nelson Mandela’s inauguration speech. You have been asked to present an evaluation of the theme of both the stories. Write this presentation draft including your insights, in about 120 words.
You may begin like this:
In both ‘A Letter to God’ and Nelson Mandela’s inauguration speech, the theme of hope and resilience shines...
Answer: In both ‘A Letter to God’ and Nelson Mandela’s inauguration speech, the theme of hope and resilience shines brightly. Lencho loses his entire crop to a hailstorm, yet he does not lose heart. His faith in God gives him the strength to write a letter asking for help, and his hope is rewarded through the kindness of the postmaster.
Mandela’s hope is on a much larger scale. After decades of oppression and years in prison, he stands as the first black President of South Africa and pledges to free all people from poverty and discrimination.
Lencho’s resilience is personal and rooted in faith, while Mandela’s is collective and rooted in struggle. Both show that hope keeps people going through the darkest times.

Question 10. Freedom is inconsequential if it is behind bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. Comment. Support your answer with suitable examples from the real world.
Answer: Mandela says that a man who takes away another’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. Such a person may be politically free, but his mind is not. True freedom means respecting the freedom of others.
In the real world, a nation may be independent, yet if its people discriminate on the basis of caste, religion, colour or gender, freedom remains incomplete. Racial segregation in many countries continued long after independence. In India, social evils like untouchability persisted even after 1947 until laws and awareness challenged them.
Hence, freedom becomes meaningful only when people free their minds from prejudice and accept everyone as equal.

Question 11. What do you think about the obligations which the author is talking about? Also describe his feelings for them.
Answer: In the chapter, the author has talked about two obligations of every man. The first obligation is towards his family, parents, his wife and children. The second is towards his community and his country. Being a social person one has to fulfil these obligations.
But being a person of colour in South Africa, a man was not free to perform his obligations and got punished if he tried to do so.
As a child, the author never thought of such obligations, but when he did, he fought for the people and the country to be free so that they could enjoy the freedom of performing their personal and social duties.

Question 12. How did Mr. Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life? What does Mr. Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?
Answer: Mr. Mandela realised in his youth that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed but the freedom of all blacks. He joined the African National Congress and this transformed the fearful man into a fearless rebel. He sacrificed the comforts of a settled family life to fight for a greater cause, to end racial prejudice.
By saying that he is simply the sum of all those African patriots, Mr. Mandela wants to pay his tribute to all the people who 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 the past had paved the path of cooperation and unity for him. Therefore, he could come to power to bring equality for his people with their support.

Question 13. “Depths of oppression” create “heights of character.” How does Mandela illustrate this? Can you draw similarities between the freedom struggles of Africa and India?
Answer: “Depths of oppression” certainly create “heights of character”. Mr. Mandela described how the decades of brutality and oppression by the white people made African patriots like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo and many more out of ordinary people. They all were men of courage, wisdom and large-heartedness. They suffered a lot for the freedom of the nation and the equal rights of the black people.
In our country too, there were many extraordinary patriots like Mahatma Gandhi, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and many more who struggled a lot for the freedom of our country and her people but remained courageous while facing utmost cruelty at the hands of the British.

Question 14. How did Mr. Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Answer: With age and experience, Mr. 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, the freedom to raise a family and the freedom to earn a livelihood started dominating his thoughts. Gradually, he realised that he had been selfish during his boyhood. He understood that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all black people. It was freedom from fear and prejudice. Age and experience widened his perspective of freedom.

Question 15. How valuable is freedom for human beings, and how is it important for the growth of civilisation and humanism?
Answer: Everybody, whether human or other creature, wants to live free, as freedom is natural to all living beings. The value of freedom is better known to those human beings who have not tasted it till they get it. A person who is chained by limits and not allowed to perform his duties freely values freedom more than anyone else. For instance, the value of freedom is known better to Mr. Mandela, who remained in jail for a large part of his life.
Life becomes hell if we are deprived of freedom. There is no growth of civilisation, as it grows only when one has freedom. Humanism thrives when there is freedom. A man who is free to do his duties can produce better results, unlike an oppressed man who is not even free to think on his own and make his own decisions. Hence, freedom is extremely valuable to all and important for the growth of civilisation and humanism.

Question 16. Why was Nelson Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history? How did he succeed in ending the apartheid regime in South Africa?
Answer: Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of history because in the first decade of the twentieth century which was even before his own birth, 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. But now, in the last decade of the twentieth century, and his own eighth decade as a man, that system had been overturned forever and replaced by the one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all people, regardless of the colour of their skin. Nelson Mandela set the ideals of liberating people from the bondage of poverty, deprivation and suffering. He had also set the ideal for a society where there would be no discrimination based on the gender or racial origin of the person.