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Chapter 2
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Long Walk to Freedom, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Racism and Division
Negotiation, Democracy, and Progress
Nonviolent Protest vs. Violent Protest
The Value of Optimism
Summary
Analysis
One day when Mandela is nine years old, his father comes home with a bad coughing fit, and Mandela knows immediately that his father will die soon. His father’s death leaves Mandela feeling adrift, and his mother tells him it’s time for him to leave Qunu. Mandela packs and goes west with his mother, not questioning her. They arrive at the impressive home of Jongintaba, the current regent of the Thembu people. Jongintaba has offered to be Mandela’s guardian, a role he fulfills for a decade. Mandela’s mother goes back to Qunu.
A regent is an acting temporary ruler. Jongintaba’s status as a ruler clearly parallels Mandela’s father and the status his father might still have if he hadn’t lost it in a dispute with the magistrate. Mandela’s departure from his birth home marks a coming-of-age moment for him as without his biological parents to guide him, he begins to take stock of the things that he values in life.
Themes
Young Mandela quickly adapts to life in Mqhekezweni, the temporary capital of Thembuland, where Jongintaba lives. He gets along well with Justice, the regent’s son, and Nomafu, the regent’s daughter. Mandela enjoys doing chores for Jongintaba, like pressing his Western-style suits. He also gets involved in Christianity, largely due to Reverend Matyolo, an impressive local preacher.
This passage is another early example of how, in spite of the prejudice that many White South Africans have against Black South Africans, Mandela still finds elements of European culture (like suits and Christianity) fascinating. This helps him to develop the idea that it’s perhaps better to find common ground between people of different races and cultures, rather than simply elevating one group.
Themes
Mandela picks up many of his future philosophies about leadership by watching Jongintaba in his court. All men in court are free to give their opinions, although women still don’t have a say, as Mandela regretfully notes. Mandela also takes an interest in African history. Chief Joyi, one of the most experienced elders, tells fiery stories about how White men have tried to turn Xhosa against each other.
Mandela’s interest in history is something that stays with him throughout his life. For Mandela, history reminds him that the current White leadership of South Africa is a relatively recent development, and that this means that one day it too could become something from the past. Mandela also learns about how this White rule is based on keeping the various African groups divided, something that Mandela himself will try to avoid doing in his career.
Themes
Many initially see Mandela as a bit of a “yokel” from the village, and this causes problems when he asks out Winnie, the daughter of Reverend Matyolo. Winnie’s older sister, nomaMpondo, invites Mandela to lunch to try to embarrass him with his bad manners and how he uses silverware wrong. Winnie still likes Mandela, however. They correspond for a few years and eventually lose touch, and Mandela learns to improve his table etiquette.
This is not the same Winnie that Mandela later marries, but like many other elements of his childhood, this experience helps prepare Mandela for his future. This passage is an early example of how Mandela’s rural status makes it difficult for him sometimes to adapt to new traditions. But rather than sticking to his traditions, Mandela dedicates himself to learning the new ways so that he can fit in with both worlds.
Themes
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