1. Poem, Background, Historical Context, Characters

2. The Poem
 Written by William Ernest Henly in 1875,
Victorian England
 He wrote it from his hospital bed after
having his leg amputated
 The poem has become important in pop
culture and history- it will feature in the
movie “Invictus” and was also recited by
Timothy McVeigh- the Oklahoma City
bomber before he was executed

3. The Poem Text
 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.

4. Background on South Africa
 Originally colonized by the Dutch, who
brought their culture and language
(Afrikaans), call themselves Afrikaners
 The English fought the Dutch and took
over South African in the Boer War
 The system of Apartheid in South Africa
was set up to maintain control and
power of the whites in the country

5. Background on South Africa
 Apartheid lasted from 1948-1994
 It oppressed blacks- made them
separate in all areas of life- medical,
social, educational, etc, and their
services were terrible compared to
whites
 It also bred hatred and violence, killings,
rapes, hangings of blacks and many
were put in jail, including Nelson
Mandela

6. Background on South Africa

7. Background on South Africa
 Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27
for fighting for African rights
 He was released in 1990 and started to
talk with the government about ending
Apartheid

8. “Invictus” The Movie
 Madiba was elected the first African
President in 1994 after all South Africans
were considered equal (no more
segregation).
 Huge task to unite the country – Blacks not
entirely “equal” and whites resisting an
African government.
 Used the Rugby World Cup as a way to
unite the country, enter the film “Invictus”

9. “Invictus” The Movie
 Starts in 1994 before the World Cup
 Nelson Mandela is president and trying
to reunite a very divided and chaotic
country
 Characters:
Nelson Mandela- Morgan Freeman
Francis Pienaar- Matt Damon
South African Team- Springboks
Opponents- New Zealand All Blacks