Section B: Identity And Belonging

Question 1

Define identity.

Answer 1

A relatively stable and enduring evaluation of an individual that comprises of their traits, behaviours and characteristics.

Question 2

What are some factors that affect identity?

Answer 2

Age: roles, expectations and responsibilities dependent on age.
Gender: society places certain roles and expectations under a specific gender.
Physical appearance: others reacting to our appearance in either a positive or negative way and typically labelling.
Ethnic background: how we react to situations and beliefs.
Cultural: beliefs and values, view of the world and others around us.
Feelings about your self: how you present you unselfish and how others treat you.

Question 3

How do the following characters of Invictus illustrate ideas about identity and belonging?

• Pienaar’s family
• Eunice
• Black and white security guards
• Mandela’s personal assistant, Brenda

Answer 3

Pienaar’s family: don’t approve of Mandela being elected because he’s black, discriminate against him because of his identity and feel he shouldn’t belong in high authority.
Eunice: is treated relatively fairly but serves as a maid in the Pienaar family. Example of black South Africans being treated as inferior and belonging lower on the hierarchy compared to white society.
Black and white security guards: when the white security guards are hired the blacks feel threatened. Because in a place they’re usually superior in they feel inferior. Sense of belonging is compromised because of this threat, hence why they act hostile towards white security guards.
Brenda: doesn’t approve of Mandela putting so much effort into using the Springboks as a drive for reconciliation because like his daughter she feels cautious of white people.

Question 4

List some character traits and events of Mandela and Francois that sharpe their identities.

Answer 4

Mandela:
- being imprisoned for 27 years
- being elected as the first black president of South Africa
- forgiving, hopeful, kind, devoted, charitable, honourable
Francois:
- being the captain of the Springboks
- meeting with the president
- winning rugby World Cup
- hopeful, determined, honourable, devoted

Question 5

What are some symbols in Invictus that reinforce a sense of identity and belonging?

Answer 5

• reserved territories designated for black population
• springbok uniform, colours and name
• skin colour
• hierarchy; those high up are typically white
• government system; post apartheid

Question 6

What is apartheid?

Answer 6

A policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race.

Question 7

What are some quotes from Invictus that would be relevant to identity and belonging?

Answer 7

Francois: “times change, we need to change as well”
Mandela: “if I cannot change when circumstances demand it, how can I expect others to?”
Mandela: “I have a very large family…42 million”

Question 8

What are some other words for identity?

Answer 8

• self
• ego
• character
• individuality
• personality

Question 9

What are some other words for belonging?

Answer 9

• acceptance
• loneliness
• isolation
• association
• affinity
• inclusion