QUESTIONS FOR PLAYING THE ENEMY (chapters 3 - 6)

I hope you're enjoying the book and I suppose you have already answered the questions for the introduction and the first two chapters. We'll make corrections next week in class.

I copy here the questions for the following chapters (3 -  6).
Don't forget to make a kind of glossary with the names of the characters that appear in the book as there are so many that you could easily get lost while reading.

Chapter 3    Separate Amenities

1. What does Carlin call townships?
2. Describe Justice’s memory of his allegiance to Mandela.
3. What did Van Dyk ask the blacks to do on 13^th November?  Describe what happened
4. Who was Lucas Sethwala?

Chapter 4     Bagging the Croc

1. What mission did Botha give Niel Barnard?
2. Discuss how you think Mandela must have felt when Botha’s government was cracking down on the blacks but treating him well.
3. What was Sexwale’s reaction when he saw two TVs in Mandela’s house in Victor Verster prison?
4. What did Barnard warn Mandela not to do in his meeting with Botha?  Describe Barnard & Mandela’s relationship.
5. How did Mandela compare his people to the Afrikaaners?

Chapter 5     Different Planets

1. What surprised the Pienaar family while watching the Springboks tour of New Zealand?
2. Discuss the fact that the Pienaars had maids despite the fact they were considered lower class.
3. How did Stofile define sport?
4. Describe how Judge Basson behaved at the trial.
5. Who do you think killed Lubowski  Why?

Chapter 6    Ayatollah Mandela

1. Why did the government feel it was urgent to release Mandela?
2. Why was his release delayed?
3. What big hurdle did Mandela have to face soon after he came out of prison? Give your opinion of Mandela’s statement to the press. about his 27 years in prison    “Despite the hard times in prison…” p.85
4. How did François Pienaar feel about Mandela’s speech?
5. How did the international journalists react at the end of the speech?
6. How did the Afrikaans press react?
7. Talk about Rossow’s opinion of Mandela. (p.88)

QUESTIONS FOR 'PLAYING THE ENEMY' (Introduction & chapters 1 & 2)

Answers the following questions as you read the book. We'll make corrections in class on March 13th & 14th.

Introduction 

1. Where and when did John Carlin speak to Mandela about writing the book?
2. What other sportsmen does Carlin mention as having been a shaper on political perceptions?
3. Who did Carlin have a very emotional interview with and why did this surprise him?
4. What does Carlin say are the basic conditions for a fairy story?  Do you agree?
5. In what way does Carlin say Mandela had the edge over other charismatic politicians?

Chapter 1  Breakfast in Houghton

1. What ritual could Mandela never fail to do no matter where he was?
2. What ritual annoyed his cell mates on Robben Island?
3. How did the Springboks feel that they could play a part in politics by winning the final?
4. What figure did Mandela’s bodyguard, Moonsamy, compare Mandela to on entering the stadium?
5. Name two things they were afraid could happen in the stadium to upset the atmosphere.

Chapter 2    The Minister of Justice

1. What made white people in South Africa leave and go to Britain, Australia and the USA in 1985?
2. Why did Botha decide to set up a meeting between Mandela and Coetsee?
3. Describe what happened when Mandela’s lawyer, Bizos, visited him in prison.
4. Describe Badenhorst and his management of the prison.  Describe how things improved when he left.
5. What changed when Mandela returned to prison after being discharged?
6. Describe Mandela’s relationship with Christo Brand.
7. How did Mandela win over Van Sittert?

EXTRA ACTIVITIES AFTER READING TEACHER MAN

Now that you have finished the book and we have analyzed it chapter by chapter, you are invited to do some extra activities.

- Watch this video (or any other you can find on the Internet)

Frank McCourt at the NYS writers’ Institute in 2006

- now, had you had the chance to interview him, what other questions would you have liked to ask him?

Leave your comments, thoughts, ideas and questions on the blog!

SCOTTISH DANCING ACTIVITY

Dear Students,

Tomorrow Thursday 19th you can enjoy the evening dancing in English!
David Vivanco, a famous Scottish teacher, is in Las Rozas. He'll teach us to learn Scottish dances and have a really good time dancing and practising English.

There are 2 sessions: 16.30 and 18.30. Both will be held in I.E.S. Burgo de Las Rozas (entrada Parque de París).
The price is just 2€ and they'll provide you with a bottle of water.
If you are interested, you can see me or any other teacher today or before the performance.

Here you have a link to have a look at the activity:
Ceilidh dance