The Power of One
The Power of One by Bryce Courtney is a thrilling novel in which a young boy struggles and grows through his many childhood difficulties to realize that the most important thing he has is the power of one. The story takes place in South Africa during the time of WWI, which played a big part in his development and led him to understand the problems of racial tension and to be aware of the problems of society because of this. He was able to overcome many difficulties through the help of several key people as well as play an important role in society. This novel becomes a perfect example of a bildungsroman as Peekay grows mentally, psychologically, spiritually as well as emotionally throughout his upbringing.
Peekay is constantly encountering new problems and obstacles that he learns to overcome and prevent. Perhaps the first big obstacle he had to deal with was his uncanny problem of wetting the bed. He would say that his day would always, begin with a bed-wetting caning from Mevrou, after which I would make the tedious journey to the showers to wash my rubber sheet (7). Once he had gotten over that problem, with the help of the medicine man, he encountered the problem of getting abused by his classmates for being English. They would call him a rooinek and come up with punishments for him every day. The school bully told him that, Every day after school you will march around the playground for five thousand steps along with various other punishments he would endure for being a rooninek (38). Another problem he faced was that he lived in a poor family and getting money for the clothes and other things at school proved to be difficult. With the help of several friends and mentors he was able to resolve mostly all of his problems.
Several people in Peekays life played very key roles in his development. The African medicine man helped him solve his childhood bed wetting problem and assured him that, we have crossed the night water to the other side and it is done (16). Though he only knew him for a short time, Hoppie, was very influential in the formation the foundation of Peekays thoughts and also was responsible for setting his life goal of becoming Welterweight Champion of the Word. He taught him that, Small can beat big if you have a plan and that he should do things, first with the head and then with the heart (100,103) Doc, his next and a very important mentor, taught him music, lessons about nature, and was very close to Peekay for many years. Peekay learned many of his life lessons and ways to view the system of life from him. His best friend, Morrie, was also very helpful in making Peekay see the value of money and how it could be made very easily if he was smart.
Peekay plays a very important role in the lives of many of the people that knew him. He was able to touch the hearts of the entire black population of the prison during his years there, and he was also a leader when he went to the Prince of Wales School. Even after he moved on to this other school, at boxing matches, he would still have a huge black audience that would chant things like, He is the chief who comes in our dream time, the caster of spells and the bringer of wisdom and they would refer to him as, Onosobishobi Ingelosi which meant tadpole angel (355).
He was also a great influence and example in trying to overcome the social apartheid of the time. Unlike most of his associates he valued the black people just like all other people. He did many things for the prisoners like bringing in sugar, tobacco, and mail and the people loved him for it because it brought great joy into their depressing lives. He and Doc even organized a special concert for them and at the end when fireworks went off, they were sure of his greatness, For even the heavens spoke of the Tadpole Angel, spoke for all to see (289). Even once he moved to a new school the legend of the Tadpole Angel lived on. They would come and say things like, He will win for the People, he will win for all the people, in all the tribes, the People are his people (355). He also helped his boxing coach, Geel Piet, who was a black man to become loved by the whole boxing team. He showed by his examples of love and care how all men should be treated regardless of the color of their skin.
The excellent character of Peekay is one that can be universally appreciated and loved. He endures struggles and hardships that are relevant to most peoples lives, which make it possible for the reader to make a personal connection with him. He is then helped by several key people to realize the values in life and that the most important and precious gift he has is the power of one. With this knowledge he become a very respected person in society and is also influential in making people realize that black people are people just like anyone else and they should be treated as such. This powerful bildungsroman can be enjoyed by most readers because of its universal theme of life and is highly recommended.
Bibliography
Courtney, Bryce. The Power of One. New York: Ballantine Books,
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