Invictus

Today at school, we watched a movie called «Invictus», directed by Clint Eastwood. The story takes place in South-Africa. The movie starts in 1990 when Nelson Mandela (played by Morgan Freeman) was released from Robbin-Island, and it ends when the South-African rugby team, wins the 1995 World Cup.

The movie is named after a British poem with the same name, and here is the poem.

Invictus  by William Earnest Henley

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 the 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 straight the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul

 

Both Mandela and Francois were inspired by the poem in the way that even though how difficult the challenges might be, they will prevail. The comforting words inspire them to keep going and not to give up, even though the odds may not be in their favor. I interpret the meaning of the poem, that you are the boss of your own life. I believe that this poem made Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) think about his time in prison, and the fact that he had to fight to become what he is. Francois probably was inspired by everything Mandela had accomplished, and when he faced the challenges in the World Cup, I think the poem helped him not to give up, and fight even harder. The poem might not have been a major part of the storyline in the movie, but I believe it is important for the understanding of why both Mandela and Francois never gave up.