Would you agree that the "depths of oppression" create "heights of character"? How does Mandela illustrate this? Can you add your own examples to this argument?
Yes, I agree that the depths of oppression create heights of character. Extreme hardship and brutality often bring out the finest qualities in human beings.
Mandela illustrates this by explaining how the decades of oppression and brutality under apartheid had an unintended effect — it produced leaders of extraordinary courage, wisdom, and generosity like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo, Bram Fischer, and Robert Sobukwes. He states that perhaps it requires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character.
He further illustrates this by describing how he saw men and women risk and give their lives for an idea, and stand up to attacks and torture without breaking, showing strength and resilience that defies imagination. He learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
Even in the grimmest times in prison, Mandela saw a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, proving that man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.
The examples Mandela provides — of extraordinary patriots rising from the darkest depths of apartheid — powerfully support this argument that severe oppression forges remarkable character.
Explanation
The question has three parts: agreeing/disagreeing with the statement, how Mandela illustrates it, and adding own examples. Mandela directly states 'Perhaps it requires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character' and lists specific leaders produced by apartheid's brutality. He also describes the courage of comrades who endured torture. For own examples, since only context can be used, the guard showing humanity in prison serves as an additional illustration within the text itself.
Solution Steps
Step 1: State agreement with the statement about oppression creating character.
Step 2: Explain Mandela's illustration — apartheid produced extraordinary leaders like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulus, Chief Luthulis, etc.
Step 3: Describe how Mandela witnessed courage in the struggle — people risking lives, enduring torture without breaking.
Step 4: Add supporting example from context — the guard showing humanity in prison proves goodness persists despite oppression.
Step 5: Conclude by reinforcing how the text's examples support the argument.