Power of one essay

The Power Of One

Describe at least one way that a character or individual changed in the text. Explain how this change was important to the text as a whole.

In the power of one by Bryce Courtenay, Peekay being the main character changed drastically throughout the text. He displayed a variety of growth aspects. Peekay learnt from the treatments he received and grew stronger with the punishments he got. He grew from suffering and changed with resistance.  

At the beginning of the book, Peekay was sent to a boarding school when he was five years old and was bullied and treated badly because of his race and religion. As he got older he changed a lot and ended up making many lifelong friends and meeting people who guided him. He overcame multiple challenges, some examples include being excluded from society because of his morals, beliefs and background, and being bullied for his physical features. One of the biggest things that changed Peekay was when Hoppie Groenewald came in, he was a strong role model and inspired Peekay by showing care and determination through life. Peekay needed Hoppie to fill the loneliness he had built. A male role model was exactly what Peekay needed.

The importance of this character change in the book was that he grew stronger with punishments and defied what people said. He built up independence the first act being his name change, when peter (as he went by) first came to the boarding school he got bullied for wetting the bed the older boys in the boarding school gave him the nickname “Pisskop” which translates to Pisshead but eventually it got changed to Peekay and he then took on this name to leave the past behind him. After Peekay leaves boarding school he makes new friends that change his life drastically by teaching him things that he never thought would be possible. One of the first friends is Doc, Doc helps him grow mentally which makes Peekay think more like an adult. Another friend Peekay makes is Geel Piet. Geel teaches Peekay how to box, this has changed Peekay for the better, teaching him determination and strength. Geel Piet later dies trying to protect Peekay, he is forever grateful. 

In conclusion,