A Long Walk to Free

A Long Walk to independence EssayThis extract is an autobiography by Nelson Mandela talking about the transition from a small light child to a contri plainlying factor in society. The source engages our munificence by effective subroutine of vocabulary, various linguistic techniques and by dint of his nostalgic tone. In the title, Long Walk to Freedom, the long, drawn out vowels desire ee and o reflects the struggles and difficulties in this exhausting walk. Even the word walk co notates to the, strive for the proficiency of immunity and rights of all individuals. There is a gradual flow of ideas in this extract which has a wide impact as it bringing out the emergence and understanding through the passage of fourth dimension. In the beginning, a somber serious mood is created as they f bewell their last links to childhood and step into a wider mature conception of adulthood.The speeches, songs and gift-giving portray the African culture the sons of Xhosa have just b een circumcised again reflecting African customs. repayable to this, the writer gains a heady olfactory modality of confidence and his body gestures straighter, taller, firmer effectively illustrate his inner ghost of pride and satisfaction. Suddenly the gaily colored dreams darken, as the young adults now have to face the sharp reality. There is a sense of clouding of the future as the Chief would give a speech, continuing a tradition. The lecture act like a source of inspiration and encouragement, enlightening the youngsters to the disgruntled society. It is in their hands that the future lyes, and imperative that they are exposed to the reality around them. Calling their sons young hearty and handsome, Meligqili begins his speech in an assertive tone.In addition to this, he also calls them flower of the Xhosa sketching a metaphoric image of budding life and the true potential and pride of the nation. He castns the juvenile adults with jolting words naming the ritual a n empty, illusory promise. There is a dejected, turbid sense of negation as they have no strength, no power, no control over their own destiny. Furthermore, their bleak future is ragged off their rightful(prenominal) position as they are nothing more than slaves in their own country, and tenants in their own soil.The acerbity irony behind these juxtaposed words hits us hard, as they are left with no comfort or significance in the very own home grease their possession which has been snatched a instruction from them by the dust coats. The caustic issue of racism is raised as all South Africans, are a conquered people. Moreover, in the land of their birth, they suffer the discomfort of shacks and cheap alcohol since they are deprived of their own land to prosper and multiply. These lines ingeminately highlight the struggles, injustice and discrimination the unfortunate people endure everyday in their native soil, but further not theirs.In addition to this, it is them who cou gh their lungs out deep in the bowels of the uninfected valet de chambres mines. This is the most impactful metaphor and alliteration as it allows us to visualize the inhuman, merciless conditions the people are made to work in, detrimental to their health and all for the robbed treasures of the whites. They have lost every bit of potence or belongingness of their own possessions and rather their energy, labor and efforts are wasted in filling the greed of the white men.Piling up such dreadful, pathetic images, our sympathy and compassion is drawn.We can understand the brutalizing agony internally and externally torturing these innocent people regularly due to unequalled prosperity. Their abilities, intelligence, are all squandered. The writer uses superlatives like simplest, mindless chores, which show their powerless nature and attempt to eke out a living for the white men. Furthermore, the words of the principal are at the peak of disappointment where he wants a chance to s hake Qamata awake and tell him that the flower of Xhosa nation are dying. Their state is so helpless that is seems even their theology is dozing and he repeats the flower of Xhosa, to underline the youth the future, beauty, innocence and strength of their fading nation.All these horrific visions illustrated and the bitter, harsh words of truth leave an undying, unbelievable and undeniable impact on the reader. The words pierce through our ears, almost allowing us to feel the pain. It arouses a number of questions in our minds especially due to the irony, and great sympathy for the Africans. Yet, the young adults are totally more and more quiet and more and more angry. By these repeated comparatives, the writer contrasts their present feeling of resentment to their mood of celebration earlier. All the words are tardily transudeing in but it unless made them rather cross as they thought the chief was being selfish and ignorant, in his abusive comments, since he was not noticing the positive side the whites brought them value of the instruction and the moral cultures and etiquettes taught by them. Their tender age has almost blinded them to the oppressor behind what they think is the benefactor. In all, the only thing the chief ended up doing was spoiling the proud feelings with wrong headed remarks, for the teenagers.Gradually, the pace slows and there is growth of mental maturity and realization as the true meaning of the chiefs words began to seep in Mandelas mind. The real essence of the words had sown a seed to the development of a potential future, although it had been dormant for a long season. Now, the tables turn as Mandela realizes its him who was the actual ignorant man, not the chief. Adding on to the different metaphorical images is when Mandela watches the river meander on its way. These phrases reflect back to the title and theme of a long walk which is a route with its curves and junctions. Finally, the river empties into the Indian Ocean , symbolizing his outpour of emotional success as subsequently many miles distant, he sees a vision of success liberty and happiness. Although, this young adult had not yet crossed that river and his future seems very bleak, but he is now ready to face the challenges of life and competitiveness the rocks that hinder his route, with a lot of power, struggle and hard work.His foresight is still limited as he knows little or nothing of the world beyond, that beckoned him. Under these words, the writer expresses how none of them had yet tasted the gift of emancipation and independence but right now, for all he knew, darkness was descending it was sunset already and time for him to prepare. Furthermore, we get a little more idea of the African tradition as it was forbidden to manner back while the lodges were burning, probably because we can never go back to the past and remembering it will only sadden us more and build hesitance to step into a new world.This feeling is even unders tood as Mandela is unable to resist and looks back at two pyramids of ashes by a large mimosa tree. These ashes metaphorically symbolize the loss and fading away of a delightful world of childhood and the sweet irresponsible days. There is complete dilemma as, when he looks back, there are only faded ashes and ahead darkness enveloping him. Also the mimosa tree in a way symbolizes the survival of the fittest, as it is a sturdy, giant tree that continuously bears the pain of memories burning by it. later a pause, there is a new picture illustrated now he was a man. There is a deep sense of negation and remorse as never again would he get back those youthful, playful, mischievous days. afterward many years he has finally become a man but now its like a re-birth to attain independence. All in all, the extract country childhood brings out the offset printing steps of Mandela through inspirational words and encouragement to the celebrated statesman he is now. He is a potent symbol o f resistance striving out his life to attain his goal of victorious freedom and in this autobiography, he embodies the spirit of dignity and triumph of hope over despair and hatred.