Roots - Comparison
- acer, acid, acri - bitter, sour, sharp
- acu - sharp
- ali, allo, alter - other
The Power of One - Essay Topics
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- Consider one of the themes that Courtenay expresses in
the book. Write an essay that examines how and more importantly why Courtenay would choose this theme
for his novel.
Some possibilities…
·
The way to survive is to blend
in—camouflage.
·
First with your head, then
with your heart.
·
Little can beat big (if you
are smart).
·
Any other themes that you can
think of?
2. How does Peekay’s coming of age story compare to other
book(s) with characters who make similar journeys: Ender in Ender’s Game, Harry Potter, Siddhartha,
(other coming of age stories that you can think of). [The technical name for a
coming of age story is a Bildungsroman].
3. Is
there any significance to the idea of “the power of one” in this novel beyond
the individual? Is Courtenay suggesting that South Africa itself must, like
Peekay, develop this power in order to survive?
4. Both
boxing and music are important to Peekay and to The Power of One. At times, Bryce Courtenay contrasts them, while
at other times he stresses their commonalities, and even describes one in terms
of the other–as, for example, when Peekay boxes “like a Mozart concerto” (249).
Identify more of these contrasts and commonalities. Why do you think the author
emphasizes them so much?
5. Do
you rely upon something like the power of one in your own life? What is it, and
how did you develop it? How is it similar to or different from Peekay’s power
of one?
6. Assuming
that the novel is Courtenay’s message to South Africa, what advice is he giving
to help people change a nation’s mentality (about racism or any other
oppression)?
7. Or…you
can propose your own essay topic. Come and talk with me.
HW: Pick a prompt and write your CAB style thesis. You may also bring a notecard with quotes on it to class tomorrow. No digital books allowed!
