The poem "Invictus" was written in 1875 by William Ernest Henley while in the hospital recovering from an amputated leg. It discusses an unconquerable soul that remains unbowed in the face of adversity. The poem became culturally significant and was recited by Timothy McVeigh before his execution. The document provides historical context about South Africa, including the apartheid system of racial segregation and Nelson Mandela's imprisonment for fighting for African rights. It discusses how the movie "Invictus" depicts Mandela's use of the 1995 Rugby World Cup to help unite South Africa after the end of apartheid.

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