Chapter 2
Free ncert solutions for class10 English First flight chapter 2- Nelson Mandela. We provides you chapter summary and important questions with solutions to help you to revise complete syllabus and score more in your examination.
SUMMARY
Nelson Mandela has become South Africa's first black President after more than three countries of white rule. 'Mr. Mandela's African National Congress (ANC) party won 252 of the 400 seats in the first democratic elections of the Africa's history.
On 10th may 1994, Nelson Mandela swears in as the first black president of the South Africa. The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheater formed 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 colors and nations for the installation of South Africa's first democratic, non-racial government. At the time of his swearing two national anthem were sung - the vision of whites singing 'Nkosi Sikelel - iAfrika' and black singing 'Die Stem'. He wished that freedom in Africa should reign.
He recalls back the history and pays homage to national martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their motherland. He tells about the martyrs were the man of extraordinary courage and wisdom and generosity.
He tells no one is born hating another person because of the skin color, his background and his religion. If the people learn to hate, they can be taught to love too. He talks about the twin obligations- obligation towards his family and obligation towards his nation.
While discharging his duties he found he was not free. Hence, he joined African National Congress fought for the freedom of his country. He well known about the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed are alike are robbed of their humanity.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public building in India that are made of sandstone?
Ans The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheater formed by the union Buildings in Pretoria.
Red Fort in Delhi, Amer Fort in Jaipur, Hama Masjid in Delhi are some examples of such buildings.
2. Can you say how May 10 is 'an autumn day' in South Africa?
Ans 10th May is 'an autumn day' in South Africa as African people achieved their political emancipation on this day. They got freedom from the white supremacy. A first democratic, non-racial government was installed in South Africa on this day
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 Mandela means the policy of 'apartheid' by this. Due to this many countries had earlier broken off diplomatic relations with South Africa. This was an extraordinary human disaster for South Africa.
The 'glorious... human achievement' he speaks of at the end is the installation of a democratic and non-racial government in South Africa. It has got freedom from the decades of white supremacy.
4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Ans Mandela thanks the international leaders for having come to take possession with the people of their country. This is after all, a common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity. According to Mandela it's great achievement for the African people to have international leaders present on this autumn day.
5. What do the military do? How has their attitude changed and why?
Ans The military generals saluted Nelson Mandela and pledged their loyalty to democracy. The military generals discharge their duties. They owe allegiance to their country. They do their duties as per the military provision.
Their attitude has now changed. They care more for personal gains than their true duties as per the defense rules.
6. Why were two national anthems sung?
Ans The two national anthems were sung on the occasion of inauguration. One for whites and other for black. These were sung inorder to respect the feelings of both the whites and blacks.
7. Whar does courage mean to Mandela?
Ans For Mandela courage means to overcome from the fear. The man who has no fear is not brave further but the man who wins that fear, who removes that fear from his life is brave in actual meaning.
8. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Ans Nelson Mandela sets out for the future of his country. Some of them are-
i). All people will be free from poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.
ii). They will never experience oppression of one by another.
iii). Thus glorious human achievement will never be blown out.
9. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
Ans He thinks love is natural in comparison to hate. It comes more naturally the human heart than its opposite.
10. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/ why not?
Ans Mandela thinks that the oppressor is not free like the oppressed. A person who takes away another man's freedom is a prisoner of hatred. He is locked in prejudice and narrow-mindless.
11. 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 because it was a common victory for justice, for peace and for human dignity. It was the complete end of racial discrimination in South Africa. It signified the triumph of humanity and against oppression, fear, suffering, and gender discrimination. It recognized the rights and freedom of all the people regardless of their color.
12. What does Mandela mean when he says he is 'simply the sum of all those African Patriots' who had gone before him?
Ans During the apartheid movement, thousands of people gave sacrifices and suffered a lot. It was impossible for Mandela to repay their courage. But he could simply say that he himself was their part and parcel in the struggle. He was deeply concerned that they were not able to see the result of their sacrifices.
13. How does Mandela describe the system 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 removed their difference. They erected a system of racial discrimination against the blacks. This created the most inhuman structure.
(ii). In the final decade of the twentieth century, that system was overturned by Mandela. All are equally free to enjoy their rights.
14. How did the Mandela's 'hunger for freedom' change his life?
Ans Mandela now understands what is freedom for any man and for any community. He became a fighter from a coward general man. He became a criminal out of law abiding attorney. He became a monk turning from a family loving husband.
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. How did Mandela's understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Ans Mandela's understanding changed of freedom with age and experience. As a boy he thought freedom of running, swimming and eating what he liked. As he became student, going outside the house without restriction and wearing which he liked was freedom for him. Then he grew up sone more and married had a family that time living freely enjoying with them was freedom.
As he grew matured and watched his country people were suffering from slavery and discrimination then he actually meant freedom that could not be alone for him. The freedom must be for all country men along with him. And then he started fighting for freedom in actual sense.
2. What 'twin obligations' does Mandela mention?
Ans Mandela has mention here twin obligations of every human being. One obligation for his country and countrymen. And second obligation for his family, his parents, his son and his wife. If he goes with his family then he will be aparted from his duties for country and while he goes with country his duties for family scared. But as a good citizen everyone must have his foremost obligation for his own nation because you belong to your country.
3. Would you agree that the 'depth of oppression' create 'heights of character '? How does Mandela illustrate this? Can you add your own examples to this arguement?
Ans Yes, I would agree that the 'depth of oppression' create 'heights of character'. Mandela illustrates this by saying that the decades of oppression and brutality had another, unintended effect. The depths of oppression produced the Oliver. Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, the Bram Fischers, the Robert Sobukwes- some of the prominent names in the struggle against apartheid. These men were of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity. Their like may never be known again.
We have the examples of Indian freedom fighters who suffered a lot at the hands of British. They passed years in prisons in inhuman conditions. But finally they emerged strong and victorious.
4. How does Mandela describe the scene of the inauguration?
Ans Nelson Mandela describe the scene of inauguration graphically. It took place on the bright and clear day, the 10th of May in Sandstone amphitheater. It is formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. It is now the site of a rainbow-like gathering of different colors and nations. There are world leaders sitting all around. Great personalities and other freedom fighters like Mr. De Klerk, Thabo Mbeki are to be sworn in. There sit the highest military and police generals also. They have medals and ribbon on their chests. Helicopters and jets fly in the sky. They leave a smoke trail of the black, red, green, blue and gold colours of the new South African flag. There is thus, much, hustle and bustle.
5. What does the author think of the black people who fought for the country's political independence?
Ans The author says that the county's political freedom is due to the great sacrifices of thousands of his own people. He thinks himself the sum of all those African Patriots. He regrets that he won't be able to thank them. He states that the policy of apartheid greatly wounded the people. Recovering from that was not possible. It would take centuries to heal. But decades of oppression and brutality produced great freedom fighters like Oliver Tambis, Walter Sisulus, Luthuli, Dadoo, Fischer, Sobukwe etc. They were the men of courage, wisdom and large-heartedness. They really underwent great sufferings for the political independence of the country.
6. 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 honorable freedoms"?
Ans Mandela as a boy thought that he was born free in every way that he could know. He was free to run in the fields near mother's hut. He was free to swim in the clear stream that ran through his village. He was free to ride the broad backs of slow-moving bulls.
Mandela as a student wanted the freedom only for himself . He just wanted the transitory freedoms of being able to stay out at night. He wanted to read what he pleased and go where he chose.
He contrasts "transitory freedoms" with the "basic and honourable freedoms" by saying that whatever he thought as a boy and as a student was not real freedom. It was not permanent. He discovered as a young man that his freedom had already been taken from him, and that he began hunger for it. He yearned or wished for the basic and honourable freedoms of achieving his potential, of earning his keep, of marrying and having a family. This sort of freedom was not to be obstructed in a lawful life.
7. What are the twin obligations Mandela speak of? Why could he not fulfill these obligations?
Ans Mandela believes that every man has two obligations-
First obligation for his family.
Second obligation for his community or his country.
In a civil and human society everyman tries to fulfill these obligations according to his ability and his inclination. But in a country like South Africa of those days, it was almost impossible for a dark-skinned man to fulfill both these obligations. If one tried to live as a human being he was punished and sent to jail. He was torn from his family and his people. He was forced to live a secret life. Mandela found that if he tried to fulfill his obligation to his people, he could not fulfil his obligation to his family as a son, a brother, a father and a husband.
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