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What Is The Power Of One Essay

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Growing up is a journey filled with hardships, some of which will break you down and some that will make you stronger. In Bryce Courtenay’s ‘The Power of One’, a small English boy dubbed Peekay grows up in a series of harsh environments and difficult situations that force him to adapt. Peekay spends the majority of his earlier years in a Boer boarding school, which causes him to be singled out, due to the tensions between the Boers and the English. He is humiliated and physically hurt on a daily basis, most of which occurs at the hands of an older boy, nicknamed the ‘Judge’. As he grows older and progresses through life, Peekay meets different people, such as a pet chicken he names ‘Granpa Chook’, a boxer and train conductor named Hoppie, …show more content…

Boxing was an example of the Power of One, a goal that Peekay strove for, with a single-minded determination. This is showed when Peekay stated that “the gloves felt like old friends” (68). After suffering at the hands of the Judge, Peekay had finally found a goal, to be the best welterweight champion of the world. Boxing is a good example of the power of one, because it is a sport that relies on the individual. Peekay recognized this, and embraced it. It was also then, when Peekay had the hope that he could be something good, something other than a rooniek and that he could defend himself against larger opponents. Hoppie also built Peekay up, because brotherly affection helped Peekay accept who he was, and develop confidence in himself. Hoppie is constantly calling Peekay little brother, most notably when he said “No worries little brother…” (63). Peekay hadn’t had someone to care about only him for years, excluding Granpa Chook, who had just recently died. Hoppie treated Peekay with respect, and like a real person. Hoppie took Peekay’s best interests to heart, and comforted him about his ‘hatless snake, and nationality, telling him about a good English boxer, “You know that bloke who beat me for the title in Pretoria? Well he was English, a rooinek like you. He had this left hook, every time it connected it was like a …show more content…

Doc was constantly telling Peekay to think with himself, and analyze the world around him, like when he told the boy, “Your brain Peekay, has two functions; it is a place for original thought, but also a reference library.” (157) The power of one is defined by being able to think for oneself and being independent, and Doc drums both characteristics into Peekay. The quote encompasses a good majority of what Doc taught Peekay, to analyze, and think outside the box. He taught Peekay to challenge the norm, for the sake of challenging the norm. Doc was also a fatherly figure that encouraged Peekay to grow and stop holding back: “To be smart is not a sin. To be smart and not use it, that is a sin, Peekay.” (162). In the Beginning of the book, Peekay talked about his camouflage, something that the used to protect himself against the Judge. His decision to be painfully average conflicts with his dream to be the next welterweight champion of the world, and that is something that holds him back from achieving the power of one. He holds himself back in school, something that Doc does not approve of. After this quote, Peekay starts to succeed, and starts to stand out in a good

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