"INVICTUS" Journal Questions

Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison, and held onto the poem "Invictus" for inspiration and hope.  He recited it to other prisoners to inspire them as well.  "Invictus" means "unconquered" in Latin. This poem has been quoted by world leaders and US POWs in Vietnam prisons, to call up strength and perseverance within themselves.

The author of the poem (William Henley, 1875) was a young man who, at age 12, suffered from tuberculosis and had to have one of his legs amputated. Henley also suffered from poverty as a child, BUT rather than sit in self-pity, he wrote poetry meant to inspire himself and others--to call on inner strength and perseverance. 

Read the poem and then answer the questions.

"INVICTUS"

Out of the night that covers me, 

      Black as the pit from pole to pole, 

I thank whatever gods may be 

      For my unconquerable soul. 

In the fell clutch of circumstance 

      I have not winced nor cried aloud. 

Under the bludgeonings of chance 

      My head is bloody, but unbowed. 

Beyond this place of wrath and tears 

      Looms but the Horror of the shade, 

And yet the menace of the years 

      Finds and shall find me unafraid. 

It matters not how strait the gate, 

      How charged with punishments the scroll, 

I am the master of my fate, 

    I am the captain of my soul. 

1.  Why do you think Nelson Mandela found hope and strength in this poem?  Which part means the most to you?

2.  What situations might teens (anywhere) find themselves in, where they need to find strength to push ahead and remind themselves "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul"?

Now watch clips of the movie and answer questions about the four speeches...

 Speech #1 to Sports Council
3. The sports council does not like the Springboks, as they represent white apartheid of the past.  Why does Mandela think they need to restore the Springboks instead of do away with them?   Why does Mandela think that?  What does he say they need to "surprise" the enemy with?

 Speech #2 to Francois, team captain:
4. What is Francois's philosophy on leadership?  According to Mandela, How does one inspire others to greatness when nothing less will do?

Speech #3 to his daughter, Zindzi
5. Do you think Zindzi has a right to feel as she does?  What does Mandela call her thinking?  What does he think is a better perspective?  In other words, what should she be thinking of instead?

6.  Is it hard for a middle schooler to get out of selfish thinking, and forgive for the "greater good"?  Give an example. 

Speech #4, Francois to team
7. What are some of the attitudes that Francois has to face from the team? Why does he push ahead for this agenda, even though it is not popular? 

8.  Mandela chose not to receive his full salary, and gave a high percentage to charity.  He was also described in these terms: "With the former president, the smaller guys were invisible.  But to Mandela, no one is invisible..."  How did you see this in the movie?

9.  What is one trait you witnessed in this movie, that you could try to apply to your own life?  How will you do that?