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Essay: The Power of one Peekay s perceptions of humanity have been shaped by the society he grew up in. This is a society were there is immense racism among the different racial communities because the recent war between the Boers and the English. There is the belief of white superiority that degrades the black Africans. Black Africans brought up Peekay and so this has contributed to the way he looks at humanity. Peekay was also abused by Boers when he was young, however later in life he befriended with other Boers and this also shaped the way he looks at humanity. Probably the important issue that shapes Peekay is the desire for power that people have.
Peekay, although born from an English mother, suckled on the soft black breasts of an African woman. She was Peekay s nanny and she tended him until the age of five. Nanny was a person made of laughter, warmth and softness and together, the two had a tender relationship until they were separated when returned home from boarding and left for Barbarton. Peekay also meet a witch doctor, Inkosi-Inkosikazi, who cured his bed-wetting problem and taught him how to overcome his doubts and fears. Because Peekay s upbringing was by the black Africans, he does not develop a sense of hatred amongst other races. He does not judge a person by their skin colour.
And so it is evident that the society that Peekay has grown up with has shaped his perception of humanity. During Peekay s predicament at boarding school, Peekay developed a sense of intimidation and felt anger towards the Judge and Jury who where Boers. However, this only had a slight affect on the way he looks at Boers. This is because he befriends a Boer named Hoppie Greonwald shortly after his time spent in boarding school.
Hoppie is a train guard and also a boxer who is to look after Peekay on his trip to Barbarton. Peekay learns that Hoppie has no discrimination against's him for being an English. Through their short friendship, Peekay is given the answer to his future, and that is to become a welterweight champion boxer. This happening leads Peekay to trust other Boers. They are warders at Barbarton prison who train Peekay to box.
This incident entices Peekay to believe that there are good Boers and bad Boers, just like everyone else. And it shows that the people around Peekay have guided him to interpret things the way he does. The belief of white superiority plays a major part in the book and also in the life of Peekay. Because being tendered for when he was a baby until five by a black African, Peekay is does not discriminate them.
Also the fact that he has spent a lot of time with the different races the Africans, Boers, Germans and Jews Peekay does not look down on someone because of their skin colour. He had great influence from Professor Von Vollensteen also known as Doc. He was taught to treat everybody as an equal; whether they are black, white or Jewish. Peekay's belief of being equal is an example of how the society has shaped his point of view about humanity.
Probably the issue that has the most dramatic effect on changing Peekay s acknowledgment is the desire or greed for power. This is based basically on racism that is developed in the book. From the beginning, the war between the Boers and English at the turn of the century was mention. This war caused the tension between the two races for power over the other. The belief of white superiority put the black race at the bottom of the ladder giving white man power over them.
There was also the issue of power on a smaller scale. After a fight with Hopkins and Snotnose Bronkhorst my (Peekay s) status at school improved immeasurably. With some forty or so kids of my own age I was now the undisputed leader. Peekay himself unfolds the desire for power. He discovers that with power, one can bring affect upon the way society perceives things.
This is clearly evident when Peekay decides to start a school for the black Africans. Hymie rejects the idea saying educate the black bustards and before you know where you are they ll want to take over the country. Hymie is afraid that if the Black Africans become educated and gain more power, they may take back what was originally theirs. He argues to keep the buggers in the dark as long as possible. This shows the greed for power over others.
Through the community that desires power, it has an influence on Peekay s perception of humanity. He believes the need to have power to raise ones status and standing. He also believes that power should not be used to put someone down, as do the English and Boers do to the Africans. Peekay s perception of the power of one is generally different to the society created in the novel. And it is the society that has made Peekay choose his path and make his standing.
The people Peekay has grown up beside yearned for power. The society he has grown up beside yearned for power; whether it is the power of an individual or the power of a race. Some people in his life were racists against other groups, while others were not. It seems that Peekay has chosen the correct path, or at least what he believes to be right, and stood firmly by his beliefs.
Peekay has chosen to look at everyone equally. The society Peekay has grown up in shaped his perceptions of humanity.
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Research essay sample on Greed For Power Desire For Power
