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Chapter 38
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 29, 1961, the date of the verdict of the treason trial, the courthouse is crowded. The judge declares that the prosecution has failed to prove that ANC is a Communist organization, and people cheer. Mandela is allowed to go free, but he knows that he has only made the state angrier with him. Still, he commends the judges for overcoming their prejudices and seeing his case fairly.
Although Mandela’s troubles with the government are far from over, this small early victory is a sign that it is possible for Mandela to win over even people who hold very different beliefs from him. In spite of all of Mandela’s criticisms of the South African justice system, he maintains an optimistic belief that in the long run, justice will prevail.
Themes
