Compare And Contrast Nelson Mandela And Long Walk To Freedom

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Rose Castillo Guilbault, the author of "Conveyer Belt Ladies," and Nelson Mandela, the author of "Long Walk to Freedom," both portray an importance of childhood and adulthood in their stories. Imagination also plays an important role in Guilbault 's and Mandela 's articles. Although there are many differences, both of the authors have a unique writing style which consists of symbolism, metaphors, and imagery. The authors use their own voice to describe their story with complex, and ornate sentences yet, it is very straightforward. They also use expository and narrative writing to let their personality come through the page. Both the authors use an emotional, subjective, and intimate tone.
Both the authors have one intention, and that is to …show more content…

The characters in both stories are inferior because of their nationality and illiteracy. In the autobiography, Mandela states that the Chief had insulted the tribe by saying that the promise of becoming a man through circumcision was illusory and South Africans were conquered people. The chief also proclaims that the Xhosa tribe are slaves to their own country and that they have no control, power, or strength. Mandela and the rest of the tribe are offended upon hearing this, but as time goes by, the words start to sink in and come alive. Metaphorically, the chief had planted a seed that laid dormant for a while, and later began to grow, but Mandela realized that it was himself that let it grow. Whereas, Guilbault mentions that the women were referred to as "dirty Mexicans" or "Mexican dogs." The women were also not allowed in certain restaurants. But where is the imagination or adulthood in this? Methodically, inequality highlights the perspective of the characters. It actually impacts the children by making them think that adulthood for them would be the same as the migrant women or the Xhosa tribe, which no one wants. The inferiority of the characters that the authors display count as how adults are treated and how the children see their circumstances. They would think that the same thing would happen to them when they grow up, but that is only their imagination. Mandela thinks that he would be free and have wealth and prosperity, but when the chief proclaims that they will never have power, Mandela realizes the chief is right since he is an experienced and elder man which shows us that Mandela is influenced by him to think like that. In the same way, Guilbault hears from the women how they are treated, and eventually feels appalled and enraged, which also portrays that Guilbault cares for them. That is to say, influence is part of the transition to adulthood since it effects the way you think and

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