AP Chiefs discussion

After finishing The Power of One I, and I’m sure many of you, felt that Bryce had left many loose ends. We never heard what becomes of Peekay’s goal to be welterweight champion, or about his life in Oxford. I am particularly bothered by absence of influence of the story of the Tadpole Angel: I felt that, in this situation, Bryce had developed the sanctity of Peekay’s relationship with the black population throughout the book but gave it no conclusive purpose. I had expected Peekay to, in some manner, lead black Africa to a higher social status and understanding with the whites. It appeared that Bryce simply got tired of writing about Peekay so he desperately ended the book with an, admittedly, climactic end leaving out many important factors of the story.

At first, I was irritated by the lack of closure at the novel's end. However, I believe it was intentional. The author wanted to emphasize the point that, in the light of Peekay's ultimate victory, nothing else mattered. The purpose of the story wasn't for Peekay to become welterweight champion of the world or to go to Oxford. What's important is that Peekay (small) defeated the Judge (big) using first his head and then his heart. Peekay "defeats his demons" that have been dictating him from the very first chapter. His slate is clear and he is moving on.

On the other hand, I do agree that the myth of the Tadpole Angel should have had more influence in the novel's conclusion. The author introduces a sense of unity in Africa created by the Tadpole Angel but never completely develops the idea. In my opinion, the power of unity and the power of one represent the same concept, and considering the novel is titled The Power of One, this topic should have received more attention.