NCERT Solutions For Class 10 English First Flight: Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom

Oral Comprehension Check (Part I)

Question 1: Where did the ceremonies take place?

Answer-

The ceremonies took place in the $\text{\underline{lovely sandstone amphitheatre}}$ formed by the $\text{\underline{Union Buildings in Pretoria}}$. Historically, this location had been the $\text{\underline{seat of white supremacy}}$, but it was now the site for the installation of South Africa’s first $\text{\underline{democratic, non-racial government}}$.

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

Answer-

The text mentions that the inauguration took place on a $\text{\underline{lovely autumn day}}$. Since South Africa is located in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, May marks the $\text{\underline{transition into the autumn season}}$ in South Africa.

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 the $\text{\underline{system of apartheid}}$. This was a system of $\text{\underline{racial domination}}$ that created one of the $\text{\underline{harshest, most inhumane, societies}}$ the world has ever known. The “glorious $\text{\underline{human achievement}}$” he speaks of is the establishment of South Africa’s $\text{\underline{first democratic, non-racial government}}$—the triumph of $\text{\underline{newborn liberty}}$ and the end of racial oppression.

Question 4: What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

Answer-

Mandela thanked the $\text{\underline{distinguished international guests}}$ for coming to South Africa to take possession with the people of his country of what is, ultimately, a $\text{\underline{common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity}}$.

Question 5: What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?

Answer-

Mandela sets out the ideals of achieving $\text{\underline{political emancipation}}$ and pledging to liberate all the people from the continuing $\text{\underline{bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination}}$. The core ideal is the guarantee that the land will $\text{\underline{never again experience the oppression of one by another}}$.

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Oral Comprehension Check (Part II)

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

Answer-

The highest generals of the South African defence force and police $\text{\underline{saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty}}$ to the new democracy. Their attitude had changed profoundly because $\text{\underline{not so many years before they would have arrested him}}$. The change occurred because the generals were now demonstrating the military’s loyalty to a $\text{\underline{new government that had been freely and fairly elected}}$.

Question 2: Why were two national anthems sung?

Answer-

Two national anthems were sung to symbolize the $\text{\underline{equality and unity}}$ of the new nation. The whites sang ‘$\text{\underline{Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika}}$’ and the blacks sang ‘$\text{\underline{Die Stem}}$’ (the old anthem of the Republic). This joint performance showed that both groups were now included, even though neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem they once $\text{\underline{despised}}$.

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 $\text{\underline{first decade}}$ of the twentieth century, the white-skinned peoples created a $\text{\underline{system of racial domination}}$ that formed the basis of one of the $\text{\underline{harshest, most inhumane, societies}}$ the world has ever known.
(ii) In the $\text{\underline{final decade}}$ of the twentieth century, that system was $\text{\underline{overturned forever}}$ and replaced by one that $\text{\underline{recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples}}$, regardless of the colour of their skin.

Question 4: What does courage mean to Mandela?

Answer-

To Mandela, courage was $\text{\underline{not the absence of fear}}$, but rather the $\text{\underline{triumph over it}}$. He learned that the $\text{\underline{brave man is not he who does not feel afraid}}$, but he who $\text{\underline{conquers that fear}}$.

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

Answer-

Mandela believes that $\text{\underline{love}}$ is more natural. He states that people $\text{\underline{must learn to hate}}$, but love $\text{\underline{comes more naturally to the human heart}}$ than its opposite.

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Oral Comprehension Check (Part III)

Question 1: What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?

Answer-

Mandela mentions that every man has $\text{\underline{twin obligations}}$: (1) obligations to his $\text{\underline{family}}$—to his parents, wife, and children; and (2) obligations to his $\text{\underline{people}}$, 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-

As a boy, being free meant enjoying $\text{\underline{transitory freedoms}}$ like running in the fields, swimming in the stream, roasting mealies, and riding bulls, as long as he obeyed his father and tribal customs. As a student, freedom was the $\text{\underline{transitory freedom}}$ of staying out late, reading what he pleased, and going where he chose. He contrasts these with the $\text{\underline{basic and honourable freedoms}}$ desired later, which included the freedom to $\text{\underline{achieve his potential}}$, $\text{\underline{earn his keep}}$, marry, and have a family—in short, the freedom $\text{\underline{not to be obstructed in a lawful life}}$.

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

Answer-

No, Mandela believes the $\text{\underline{oppressor is not free}}$ and $\text{\underline{must be liberated}}$ just as surely as the oppressed. He reasons that a man who takes away another man’s freedom is a $\text{\underline{prisoner of hatred}}$ and is locked behind the $\text{\underline{bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness}}$. Both the oppressed and the oppressor are $\text{\underline{robbed of their humanity}}$.

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Thinking about the Text Questions

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

Answer-

A large number of $\text{\underline{politicians and dignitaries from more than 140 countries}}$ attended the inauguration to pay their respects and witness the installation of South Africa’s $\text{\underline{first democratic, non-racial government}}$. Their presence signified the triumph of a $\text{\underline{common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity}}$, and they came to $\text{\underline{confer glory and hope to newborn liberty}}$ after the end of the $\text{\underline{extraordinary human disaster}}$ of apartheid.

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-

Mandela means that he is the $\text{\underline{embodiment}}$ of the efforts and $\text{\underline{unimaginable sacrifices}}$ of thousands of his people—the $\text{\underline{African patriots}}$—who fought against racial oppression. He felt that the victory achieved on that day was $\text{\underline{wrought}}$ by that $\text{\underline{long and noble line}}$ of people whose courage allowed him to finally achieve liberation.

Question 3: Would you agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”? How does Mandela illustrate this?

Answer-

Yes, Mandela agrees that $\text{\underline{such depths of oppression}}$ might be necessary $\text{\underline{to create such heights of character}}$. He illustrates this by stating that the decades of $\text{\underline{brutality}}$ and oppression produced leaders of $\text{\underline{extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity}}$, such as the $\text{\underline{Oliver Tambos}}$, $\text{\underline{Walter Sisulus}}$, and $\text{\underline{Chief Luthulis}}$. These men showed $\text{\underline{strength and resilience that defies the imagination}}$ by standing up to attacks and $\text{\underline{torture without breaking}}$.

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

Answer-

As a boy, Mandela understood freedom as $\text{\underline{transitory freedoms}}$ (running, swimming) related to tribal customs. As a student, he desired $\text{\underline{transitory freedoms}}$ like staying out late. As a young man, he sought $\text{\underline{basic and honourable freedoms}}$ related to earning his living, marrying, and raising a family. However, he realized that his freedom was an $\text{\underline{illusion}}$ because his people were not free. His personal $\text{\underline{hunger for freedom}}$ transformed into the $\text{\underline{greater hunger for the freedom of his people}}$—the freedom to live with $\text{\underline{dignity and self-respect}}$. He concluded that $\text{\underline{Freedom is indivisible}}$.

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

Answer-

Mandela’s $\text{\underline{desire for the freedom of his people}}$ became the defining force that $\text{\underline{animated his life}}$. This hunger transformed him from a $\text{\underline{frightened young man into a bold one}}$, drove a $\text{\underline{law-abiding attorney to become a criminal}}$, forced a $\text{\underline{family-loving husband into a man without a home}}$, and made a $\text{\underline{life-loving man live like a monk}}$. He gave up his limited personal freedoms to dedicate himself entirely to the struggle for liberation.