Long Walk to Freedom

Long Walk to Freedom

by

Nelson Mandela

Long Walk to Freedom: Chapter 72 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Near the end of 1970, a new commanding officer named Colonel Piet Badenhorst comes to the island, and he is particularly brutal. He calls Mandela out at the quarry, provoking him by insulting his mother. When Mandela responds, Badenhorst drops several prisoners’ classification level down from C to D.
Although Mandela’s time in prison is generally one of slow progress, the arrival of Colonel Badenhorst is a reminder of how quickly progress can reverse, as quantified by Badenhorst’s decision to drop several prisoners down a letter grade.
Themes
Racism and Division Theme Icon
Negotiation, Democracy, and Progress Theme Icon