Unit # 02: HOPE AND ASPIRATION
Reading selection 2.1 I HAVE A DREAM (Speech) Martin Luther King
Study Questions:-
Q1. Who does Dr. King refer to by the epithet, “great American”?
Ans: By the epithet “great American”, Dr. King refers to the former great president of America, Abraham Lincoln. He was the 16th president of USA. King makes an oblique reference to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. He says that “Five Score Years Ago” Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation for freedom of all communities especially for the black people who were highly victimized and maltreated by the white community.
Q2. After reading the first paragraph, can you guess what the Emancipation Proclamation might mean?
Ans: The Emancipation Proclamation was a presidential proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, which freed millions of slaves. It declared that “all persons held as slaves-----shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free”. It was a momentous decree which came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. They were given equal civil rights and citizenship. “It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity.”
Q3. How does King describe the life of Negro in the US one hundred years after the Emancipation Proclamation?
Ans: Martin Luther King describes the miserable and appalling condition of the Negros in the US one hundred years after the Emancipation Proclamation. King asserts in his speech that in American society, the Negroes are still not free. They still live in segregation and are leading the life of exile in their own country. They are hated, neglected and tortured and are forced to live in poverty among the vast ocean of material prosperity. They are deprived of their rights because of their race and colour.
Q4. Why is 1963, according to Dr. King, not an end but a beginning? A beginning of what?
Ans: According to Dr. King“1963 is not an end but a beginning”, it is a beginning of protest against racial discrimination, injustice, hatred and other inequalities between whites and blacks. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. He stressed that the Negroes should be determined to carry on their struggle until the acceptance of their demands. “The whirlwind of revolt will continue to shake the foundation of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.”
Q5. What is Dr. King’s advice to the Black people while marching on the road to freedom?
Ans: Dr. King advised black people not to adopt violent means while marching on the road to freedom. In gaining their rightful place they must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. He said that they should fight for their rights without causing physical violence which may cause bitterness and hatred. They must carry on their struggle to gain their freedom in a dignified and disciplined way and should establish equality, peace, and brotherhood peacefully.
“Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred”.
Q6. When will they, the Negro, be satisfied or not satisfied, according to Dr. King?
Ans: According to Dr. King, the Negros will not be satisfied until, the chains of hatred, racial discrimination, injustice, and inequalities will be broken. According to Dr. King Negros will never be satisfied until they are the victims of police brutality. They cannot be satisfied until they are given basic rights and facilities. Till the achievement of equal social status and civil rights, right to vote, they cannot be satisfied. “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream”
Q7. Dr. King speaks repeatedly of his dream. What is his dream?
Ans: Luther king says that his dream is the dream of America. His dream is the dream of freedom, justice, and equality for black people. He says that, “my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character”. He dreams of a day when rank discrimination will be abolished and brotherhood will reign in all states of America.
Q8. What does Dr. King mean by “This is the faith with which I return to the South”? What faith? Faith in what?
Ans: Dr. King has a strong faith that one day, the chains of hatred, racial discrimination, injustice, and inequalities will be broken. He is hopeful that one day his dream will come true and black people will get their due position and rights in American society He has a faith that the new sun will rise with the rays of liberty, equality, peace, and brotherhood. He has a faith that his struggle will bear sweet fruits of freedom, justice, and equality. “With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope”.
Interpreting:
Q1. What does Dr. King mean by cashing a cheque, bad cheque, and a cheque that has come back marked “insufficient funds”?
Ans: Dr. King makes a comparison between the promises of an American constitution and a bad cheque. The constitution of America promised fundamental and equal rights to the entire citizen irrespective of colour and creed but America has defaulted in giving justice to the black people that was promised a hundred years ago. They are given a bad cheque that has come back marked “insufficient funds” which means insufficient justice to black citizens. “We refuse to believe that bank of justice is bankrupt”.
Q2. Read the last few paragraphs aloud, beginning with “this will be the day” followed by the poem until the end, placing emphasis on “let freedom ring”. What effect is produced by the repetition of the phrase? Don’t forget that Dr. King refers to mountains all the time; and when you shout in the mountains, what happens?
Ans: The reference to the mountains depicts that Dr. King wants the message about their freedom to echo. In the mountain, the voice carries on, echoing throughout the valley. The repetition of the words is carried out for the same result as he hopes for everyone to gain awareness about the importance of freedom. The repetition reinforces the message and emphasizes its importance.
Q.3. Granting that King knew his audience, examine the appropriateness of his word choice, his sentence structure, his use of metaphor and analogy?
OR
Write a note on the stylistic devices used by the author?
Ans: The audience of King comprised negroes who were the most oppressed class of America. In order to enliven their spirits, he has laden his speech with very appropriately used metaphors and analogies. For example, to highlight the exceptional sufferings of black Americans, Luther compares the destructive quality of storms and winds with persecution and police brutality. Repetition of words and phrases like ‘I have a dream’ stress on Martin Luther’s struggle and vision to get freedom for black Americans. The language of the speech is simple and reference of various places gives the speech a realistic touch.
Q4. What is the most prominent structural feature in his speech?
Ans: The most prominent structural feature of this speech is the use of refrain. There are two sentences which have been repeatedly used by Martin Luther. One is “I Have a Dream” while the other is “Let Freedom Ring”. The phrase “I have a dream” stress the strength and power of Martin Luther struggle for equal rights and his vision to get freedom for black Americans. “Let Freedom Ring” emphasizes the importance and necessity of independence for black citizens of America.
Q.5.Briefly write Martin Luther King efforts in creating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965?
OR
Briefly write the achievements and efforts of Martin Luther King?
ANS: Martin Luther King Jr. was the most charismatic leader of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. He led sit-ins and demonstrations throughout the South. In his speeches, he advocated the rights of Negroes and stressed on the negation of racial segregation. It was his struggle for liberty that prompted the 1964 civil rights act which ensured equal rights for all Orientals in America and it was his effort that Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law which restored and protected the voting rights of African Americans.
Q.6. Why Martin Luther King was assassinated in April 1968?
ANS: Martin Luther King Jr., an American clergyman, and civil rights leader, was fatally shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, at 6; 01 p.m. The King family and others believe the assassination was the result of a conspiracy involving the U.S government, Mafia and Memphis police, as alleged by Loyd Jowers.
Reading selection 2.2 GLORY AND HOPE (Speech) Nelson Mandela
Study Questions:-
Q1. Who are the people Nelson Mandela is addressing and what is the occasion?
Ans: Nelson Mandela was addressing both South African and international audience. There were heads of different states and other dignitaries including distinguished guests, comrades, and friends at the auspicious occasion. This was the oath-taking ceremony of Nelson Mandela when he was elected democratically as the first President of South Africa on May 10, 1994.
Q2. What figurative language does Nelson Mandela use to communicate his profound feelings of patriotism and a sense of belonging to his homeland?
Ans: Nelson Mandela has used the most beautiful and moving language to express his feelings of patriotism and a sense of belonging to his homeland. There are different figures of speech and other devices in his speech. He has used simile e.g “Each one of us is as intimately attached to the soil of this beautiful country as are famous Jacaranda trees of Pretoria and Mimosa trees of Bushveld”. The line “humanity has taken us back to its bosom” is an example of personification. “Rainbow Nation” is a metaphor which is used to show multicultural people living together.
Q3. What was the situation like in South Africa before this very celebration of liberty and glory that Nelson Mandela is speaking about?
Ans: There was a very deplorable situation in South Africa before this very celebration of liberty and glory that Nelson Mandela is speaking about. There was absolute discrimination between the communities on the basis of caste and colour and a deep chasm existed between the black and white communities. The black people were deprived of their citizenship rights. They were oppressed, maltreated and were living in the bondage of poverty, deprivation, and suffering.
Q4. What emancipation and liberation are Nelson Mandela speaking about?
Ans: Nelson Mandela is speaking about “Political emancipation”, which they have achieved after a long struggle against the apartheid system. He was elected democratically as the first black president of South Africa in 1994. In the former political system in South Africa, there was absolute discrimination between the communities, so he is speaking about emancipation from racism and racial oppression. He is speaking about the liberation movement of black people of South Africa when he became successful in dismantling the country’s apartheid system.
Q5. What does Nelson Mandela mean by South Africa being once the “skunk of the world”?
Ans: Nelson Mandela means by the phrase “Skunk of the world”, that South Africa was once the most despicable and disgusting nation of the world. The people of South Africa were given no respect by the rest of the world because of pernicious ideology and practice of racism. Due to
“Apartheid System”, South Africa not only went through poverty, deprivation but also it was rejected with contempt and isolated by the countries of the world.
Q6. Considering that South Africa was once “the skunk of the world” why does Nelson Mandela give his speech the title” Glory and Hope”? Glory of what and hope for what?
Ans: Nelson Mandela gives his speech the title of “Glory and Hope”, which hints at the content of it. He talks about the glorious achievement of peaceful, non-violent freedom from racial oppression. He hopes for prosperity, equality and lasting justice. He hopes firmly that freedom will reign on the South African land. There will be no racial oppression and discrimination and both black and white people will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts.
Q7. What does Nelson Mandela mean by “a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world”?
Ans: “A rainbow nation at peace with itself and world”, by saying this he is comparing his nation with a rainbow. Rainbow nation refers to a multicultural or multiracial country used especially for South Africa in the past apartheid era. Nelson Mandela means that now all the communities, especially white and black people, will live in harmony and peace on the land of South Africa. They will also develop cordial and peaceful relations with the world.
Q8. What does Nelson Mandela mean by “humanity has taken us back into its bosom……. who were outlaws not so long ago”?
Ans: “Humanity has taken us back into its bosom” ……. Nelson Mandela has indirectly compared South Africa being accepted back into the international community with a child taken to its mother bosoms. He means that humanity has shown affection for the black people and brought them under legal protection. He means to say that we have now become dignified human beings and are not isolated from the rest of the world. We were suffering from lawlessness a few years ago but now we have achieved a politically accepted status.
Q.9. Both Dr. King and Mandela use the word freedom in their speeches. Compare and contrast King’s and Mandela’s use of the word in an attempt to arrive at each man’s definition of freedom?
Ans:Both King and Mandela were inspirational symbols for huge freedom struggles that happened in both countries. The word “Freedom” in their speeches means a fight against racial discrimination. In the United States, blacks were in minority and were denied all basic human rights. Martin Luther King, Jr., fought for the civil rights of the black population in America and he wanted freedom from oppression, whereas in South Africa blacks were in majority and Nelson Mandela fought for the freedom of blacks from apartheid (The official govt. policy of racial segregation).
Q. 10. Nelson Mandela also uses another word, liberty in his speech which Dr. King does not. Are they different in meanings or similar?
ANS: Both words “freedom” and “liberty” are synonyms. The term “liberty” is a form of “freedom”. It is defined as the right and the power to believe, act and express oneself as one chooses, of being free from restriction. Freedom, on the other hand, is defined as “the state of being free to enjoy political, social, and civil liberties. It is the power to decide one’s actions and the state of being free from restraints or confinement. Nelson Mandela has used Liberty in his speech because blacks were in majority in South Africa and he wanted freedom from apartheid.
Q. 11. Both Dr. King and Mandela are advocating emancipation and freedom for the black people of their countries, fourteen hundred years after the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in his “Farewell Sermon” granting freedom and equality to all humanity, declared: a white has no superiority over a black nor does a black has any superiority over a white except by piety and good actions”. Discuss?
ANS: Fourteen hundred years ago, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized high regard for humanity irrespective of color or race: “a white has no superiority over a black nor does…. This clearly proves that racist attitudes are abhorred and condemned in Islam. Islam with its universal concept of brotherhood rejects all artificial and man-made marks of distinction. This mindset was also adopted by Dr. King and Nelson Mandela (both belonging to the western community) who strongly condemned racial segregation in their speeches.
Q. 12. Describe in your own words the struggles and efforts of Nelson Mandela for the liberation of the people of South Africa.
ANS: Nelson Mandela (July 18, 1918-------- December 5, 2013) was a nonviolence antiapartheid activist, politician, and philanthropist. He became a civil rights leader, leading many against the Apartheid government. He spent 27 years of his life in prison from 1964 till 1990. After his release, he and President F.W.de Klerk negotiated an end to apartheid. In 1993 he won Nobel peace prize and established himself as the country’s leading political figures. In 1994, he became the first black president of South Africa by leading his party to victory in the first multiracial elections in the country.
Q. 13. Analyze the speech Glory and Hope delivered by Nelson Mandela.
ANS: Nelson Mandela in his speech expresses his gratitude towards those who had aided them and reminds everybody of the hardships they suffered, their success and their goals for the future. Through his word choice, like “compatriots”, “we”, and “us”, Mandela is able to bring a sense of belonging and togetherness. His tone is appreciative, formal, and hopeful. He is hopeful about his newfound freedom, equality, and democratic government. He has used various figures of speech to express his feelings of patriotism and a sense of belonging to his homeland.
Reading selection 2.3: I DREAM A WORLD (POEM) Langston Hughes
Study Questions:
Q.1. What were the circumstances that led Dr. King, Nelson Mandela, and Langston Hughes to be so passionate, so vocal, and so forceful? Who do you think is more forceful?
ANS: In America the dominant community was white and Blacks were treated as 2nd-grade citizens whereas in South Africa, Blacks were in majority but there was strong racial segregation due to apartheid. This racism led civil right leaders like Dr. King and Nelson Mandela to be so vocal against it. Whereas Langston Hughes was a black poet and writer who through his writings envisioned a world free of racism. All three played a big part in bringing about awareness regarding racial freedom but the approach adopted by Dr. King and Mandela proved more forceful as it reached a greater number of people.
Q.2. Compare and contrast Dr. King’s dream and Nelson Mandela’s hope with that of Langston Hughes?
ANS: Dr. King, Nelson Mandela and Langston Hughes, all three spoke about the racial segregation. Dr. King and Langston Hughes approached this topic in the United States while Mandela was the leader of the movement in South Africa. Both Dr. King and Mandela adopted an oral approach where their oration skills helped them to convey their fight for black rights. On the other hand, Langston Hughes took a written approach, he did not address hundreds of people in person. Instead, he inspired them through his writing, where he simply showed an image to black people about a life free from oppression and slavery.
Q.3. Do you think such a world is possible? If not, why not?
Ans: This simple but beautiful poem presents before us the dream vision of a Utopia, an ideal world where everyone lives a blessed life, a world which grants freedom to everyone, where no racial boundaries are apparent, where everyone can live in peace and harmony and there is no deprivation, sufferings, and poverty. But such an ideal world, in reality, is not possible. Everywhere around us hatred, greed for materialistic things, lust for power reigns. These instincts weaken one’s spirit and character thus making it impossible to create a perfect world.
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