Comments and discussion

When you analyse the speech “I Am Prepared to Die” by Nelson Mandela, you can consider focusing more on the most interesting or controversial statements made by the speaker, and commenting on them.

For instance, the ending of the speech is considered the most persuasive and powerful part (starting with l. 1156). Here, Mandela talks about the grievances of South Africans, the ideal of racial unity, and the fact that he is prepared to fight and die for equal rights:

I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die. (ll. 1199-1203)

According to some who were present in court, this part was the most moving for non-white South Africans in the audience. In retrospect, this is also the most widely known part of the speech, which made Nelson Mandela famous. It shows the speaker’s resilient and unapologetic attitude and it even became the popular title of the speech.

Another interesting aspect of the speech is the fact that it...