Difference between revisions of "The Power of One - Response 2 - Chap 4-6 - Themes"

Revision as of 01:06, 25 September 2006

English 10 The Power of One Response 2 – Chap 4-6 - Themes

Original, Page 2

(edited)

Although the book The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay seems to only be about one boy’s travels, it actually contains many important themes whose reach stretches out beyond that of the single boy. For example in the book, the narrator, Peekay doesn’t fully realize the horrors of Apartheid. Therefore, you can say that one’s age affects one’s understanding of society. Also, the book repeatedly shows the value of friends and the benefits of having them. Peekay sees how being around friendly people is better then being around people who hate him. Peekay also starts realizing the benefits boxing can have on one’s self through Hoppie.

Peekay is unable to fully realize the horrors of racism in pre-Apartheid South Africa at this point in the story. However, he does start noticing bits and pieces of the difference between races. For example on page 55, Peekay sees a sign marked “Blacks Only.” He wonders why they would not let whites in. Also, on pages 76-80 Peekay wonders why Indians, who weren’t kaffirs, are treated badly. However, most of the terror of Apartheid is not apparent to Peekay. He doesn’t seem to notice on page 65 when Hoppie calls the kaffirs stinky or on page 63 when Hoppie purposely scares the blacks and starts the train without them. Because Peekay was raised thinking this separation was acceptable, he has no way of knowing how wrong we consider it today. In addition, he is still only a young child. He is not able to fully comprehend why people are thought of as different based on the color of their skin.

In chapter 4-6 in The Power of One, Peekay learns the importance of friends, and being around friendly people. The first three chapters, with the exception of the time he is with nanny, were terrible for him. He was tortured and repeatedly hurt at his boarding school. He found a friend in a chicken, but then it was killed by his enemies. However, once he waves goodbye to Mevrou on page 68, he is in another world as he meets Hoppie. Hoppie is really nice to Peekay. On page 70, Hoppie buys Peekay a mixed grill and a milkshake. On page 71, Hoppie throws out his sandwiches and feeds him real breakfast from the train. On page 78, Hoppie negotiates a deal to exchange Peekay’s tackies and even pays the extra money himself. On page 84, Hoppie bring Peekay home with him and allows him to take a shower. Later Hoppie bring Peekay to his fight. On page 102, Hoppie is nice enough to pay him back his rightful winnings, even though he could have easily taken it, and Peekay would not have been able to get it back. All throughout the time Hoppie is there, Hoppie protects him and calls him the “next welterweight champion of the South African Railways.” As you could see, the benefits of being exposed to friendly people and having friends can not be understated in Peekay’s life. However, the benefits of having friends don’t just apply to Peekay. Everyone gains by being around friendly people and having friends. This is a theme that The Power of One shows.

Boxing helps one overcome bad situations and is a fun hobby. Peekay is starting to learn boxing from Hoppie in chapters 5 and 6 of The Power of One. Boxing provides Hoppie a sense of importance and fame. Everyone knows Hoppie and always asks him about boxing wherever he goes. Boxing also provides Hoppie with something fun to do besides his job. Because Hoppie possibly sees boxing as an escape, it might help him overcome bad situations.

The Power of One explores how one’s age determines one’s understanding of society; the value of having friends and being around friendly people; as well as the fact that boxing can be a fun hobby.