Previous
Chapter 33
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
On March 30, Mandela again hears a knock at his door that he’s sure is the police. They tear his home apart for evidence, and he’s taken to a local station. The accommodations are filthy and he gets only meager food. Mandela gets singled out by an officer for being “cheeky” because he was standing with his hands in his pockets. He’s taken to a commander’s office and finds that Resha is also there. Things get tense between Mandela and the commander, but then Mandela is informed that he has to go to Pretoria to continue his treason trial.
This passage shows how the government is going out of its way to antagonize Mandela, punishing him for even the smallest offenses like keeping his hands in his pockets. This passage makes it clear that what the government really wants is to control Mandela, and they will use any excuse as a pretext to do so, putting Mandela in an unwinnable position. Mandela’s refusal to lose hope during this difficult time shows his optimistic spirit.
Themes
