Num 7: Peekay's construction of Character in "The Power of One"

This blog entry will focus on the character of Peekay and also his construction via generic and language conventions. The construction of the character is a vital part in the success of a story and Bryce Courtenay’s construction of Peekay is what adds to the appeal of this novel. This entry will evaluate the speech, actions and appearance of Peekay and also how his character has been constructed by the language of the story.

In evaluating a character, it is important to look at their speech. The speech of a person often reveals their values and beliefs and it gives people an idea of what they are like. This is also true for Peekay, the main character of the novel, The Power of One. Peekay speaks as an adult looking back on his life from the age of five up until the age of seventeen. Although he usually tells the events as they are experienced we occasionally hear his ‘older voice’ looking ironically back on his younger life. Peekay describes himself as a pretty quiet, reserved character. However because he has his own strong values and attitudes he is not afraid to speak out. In the book he spoke many different languages including Afrikaans and English. He spoke with respect to those around him; no matter what their skin color was. This gives the reader an idea of how Peekay was not racist and he was not easily influenced into copying others. As a young child Peekay seemed polite and respectful, evident also by the fact that the boxing referee said he had good manners

The action of Peekay is another important part of the construction of a character. By studying Peekay’s actions, throughout the novel, the reader is further able to appreciate the kind of person he was. At the beginning of the book Peekay was subject to a lot of bullying and abuse. He succumbs to the constant torture and mistreatment of the judge and the ‘storm troopers’ but he never retaliates. Peekay quietly accepts that he was good-for-nothing. Once Peekay left the school he was influenced by Hoppie Groenewolt, to become welterweight champion. Peekay tries his upmost in everything he does and he has great success in his education and boxing career. Peekay was also treated like a hero, for the help he provided to those in the prison and for his kindness, generosity and respect for others. He was always willing to learn, especially in boxing and he never thought that he knew better. Peekay shows traits of extreme generosity and a love for people of all types of races and he rarely passes judgment on others. It is also interesting to note that Peekay barley did the wrong thing. There is also evidence, that at the beginning, Peekay admits God. Sadly, however, towards the end he becomes hardened to Christianity. His actions were a direct reflection of his own values, attitudes and beliefs.

The book does not include much about the appearance of Peekay himself. In this case it didn’t really matter what he looked like. What we do know, however, was that he was a smaller build, in his younger years and also the fact that he was a welterweight, meant he was fairly light. Being an English person, we also know that he was white. These elements of his appearance are all that the author reveals about Peekay.

Bryce Courtenay has effectively used generic and language conventions in the construction of Peekay. Generic conventions refer to aspects of a novel such as characters, plot, setting and dialogue. Language conventions refer to the words used to represent something or to create imagery in the mind of the reader. Language conventions also include dialogue and description; both of which feature a lot in this novel.  The numerous characters, involved in the story, are an example of generic conventions. The characters provide the reader with insight on what the different groups of people were like at that time, specifically Peekay. The plot, setting and climax of the story all revolve around Peekays life. The setting includes Peekays childhood at the boarding school and from this point the book builds up to the climax, where Peekay defeats formidable opponents to become a champion. The use of the setting and climax constructs Peekay as a person, who although was subject to much abuse, managed to focus and constantly strive to achieve his goals. Peekay is constructed as a character who listened to the advice of others and who worked very hard to get to where he desired to be. This novel is an example of a ‘Buildungsroman’ as it focuses on the building and developing of young Peekay. The fact that we the way Peekay grows up allows us to see his certain characteristics, mostly influenced by his early childhood. Because the book is written from Peekays own POV the reader can see his naivety and therefore sympathize with him. The novel uses language conventions, namely dialogue, to portray Peekay as the young, naive child that he was. The book uses dialogue which can be attributed to a young child as he interacts with the people and the world around him.  Peekay describes, in detail, his traumatic childhood and how later in life he blossoms into a hero. His in-depth description of his childhood allows the reader to see how this haunted him and left him with deep-set insecurity and vulnerability. Ultimately Peekay is constructed as a likable hero with whom we can identify. The detailed descriptions and insight into Peekay’s understanding of certain matters, allows the reader to appreciate how he was a clever and observant character. The dialogue, in the novel, shows Peekays kindness and respect for all those around him and it helps to make Peekay a very likeable character.

The clever construction of Peekay in the novel The Power of One is what makes him a more likeable character and it adds to the appeal of the story. The author has described in detail, Peekay’s speech and actions, and the inclusion of certain language conventions, has contributed to the widespread success of this story.