Long Walk to Freedom

Long Walk to Freedom

by

Nelson Mandela

Long Walk to Freedom: Chapter 91 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Before Christmas in 1986, Lieutenant Colonel Gawie Marx, deputy commander at Pollsmoor, takes Mandela out to see Cape Town. People tend not to recognize Mandela because the last published photo of him was from 1962. Mandela sees the tranquility of the White suburbs, which are oblivious to the conflict going on elsewhere. He believes that the prison authorities are trying to make him get used to life outside prison so that he’ll strike a deal for his freedom.
Mandela’s lack of recent photographs shows how, despite Mandela’s best efforts, the government has in some ways succeeded in minimizing his presence. While the colonel seems to want to show Mandela how well people are living in the White suburbs, Mandela isn’t impressed, because as usual, he disapproves of situations where only some people get rights and privileges.
Themes
Racism and Division Theme Icon
Negotiation, Democracy, and Progress Theme Icon