Summary
Chapter 1: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
It is about the struggle of independence of South-Africa where Mandela was about to swear as the first black president. South Africa was becoming a newly born democratic country and he took an oath as the first black president. Many dignitaries from different countries had come to be the part of that most momentous day. In his speech Mandela showed his gratitude for all the dignitaries and promised his people that his country would never ever experience the repression of one by another. Democracy had been established in South Africa and a government of no prejudice had to be established too. Two National Anthems were sung by the people of South Africa to signify the day. Mandela recalled the Boer movement in which Blacks were exploited by Whites.
In life a man has twin obligations, first towards his family, his parents, wife and children and on the other hand towards his country, people and community.
When Mandela became an adult he understood that his freedom was only a misapprehension in fact he was a slave of exploitation. Freedom is obligatory for those who were suppressed in past. So, Nelson Mandela, the first Black president of South Africa said radiantly that “N ever, never again shall it be that this beau tifulland will again experience the oppression of one by another”. He pays respect to the freedom fighters like Oliver Tambo, Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo who were men of rare courage, insight and kindness. He respects the death of thousand of people who gave their lives for the cause of freedom. He says every man has his duties to his family, to the community and to his country and should perform them with loyalty and honestly.
Chapter 2: Poem – A Tiger in the Zoo
The poem begins with an explanation of a tiger that is very beautiful and is walking in his little cage. He has beau tiful stripes on his skin and has velvet like soft paws. This poem contrasts a tiger when it is in its natural habitat and when it is caged in a zoo. The tiger is unhappy, dissatisfied and quite angry for being kept in the cage. The poet says that if the tiger was not restricted to the zoo cage, he would have been hiding himself behind the long grass near some water body to catch its prey that is the deer. Also, he would have terrorized the residents of the villages around the area. But in reality it is totally different as he was confined to a cage and was a captive. The cage was well-built with strong building material and he was powerless there.
He could not show his power to the visitors and could not terrorize them. The tiger was powerless and tortured by the poet. He says that during night also he was alone, hearing the voice of the patrolling police vehicles and looking at the stars. The cage life had totally changed its personality. The poet is trying to say that the animal which is known for its daring and liberty is restrained in the cage and is sad for being deprived of its freedom by being kept in the zoo cage.