How much power does an individual yield?
A definition of power is an ability to act or produce an effect. Through ideas and perseverance, the individual can make a dream become reality. The only limiting factor in a person's power is the mind.
In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Huck initially has little power. He only had the power to go to school and obey his guardians. Power, however, is not stagnant. Huck's adventures allow his power to grow significantly. One of the first ways Huck demonstrates an improvement in power is when his father kidnapped him. While in the cabin, Huck is able to use intelligence to escape. He even stages his own death and manages to deceive the whole town. Despite the fact that Huck is more of a follower than a leader, he still has the power to change a life for the better. At the end of the novel, Huck shows that he has the power to escape from home, survive with Jim during a long journey, and ensure Jim's freedom. Although he had internal conflicts, Huck is an example of how mindset affects power.
Power does not come from concrete things like money or strength, but rather it comes from what you can do to change a situation. In the novel 1984 by George Orwell, Winston is merely a worker in the eyes of Big Brother. The omniscient telescreens instill fear or the citizens of Oceana. Even though Winston lives in a dystopian society, he still has power through the mind and his belief in the Resistance. Winston is completely devoted to Julia and changing society. He is, however, caught in the process. Although the totalitarian government depletes Winston of his dignity, he still demonstrates the power of perseverance.
Famous inventors like Thomas Edison have power. Ordinary workers who help the community have power. From the little kid down the street to the CEO of Apple, everyone has the potential to increase their power. As to how much power does an individual yield? It all depends on how much the individual strives for and what he/she intends to do with that power. After all, "with great power comes great responsibility."
i agee, power does not just come from material objects and family heritage, power comes from what an indiviaual does in a situation and how he/she applies himself to make a difference. everyone has the opportunity to be great, but few people take it and use it for all it's worth
ReplyDeleteI agree with your idea that people are as powerful as they believe they can be. I also like that you mentioned that power comes with responsibility, because people can choose to either use their power in a beneficial or harmful way.
ReplyDeleteI, too, agree that people derive their power from their own efforts to achieve more. Everyone does have power, just in different ways and amounts. It is what they do which will lesson or heighten the amount of power they possess.
ReplyDeleteI, too, agree, in the view that the power one wields come from what they desire do with it. Maybe that's why people constantly tell others to dream bigger dreams; so that they can achieve more.
ReplyDeleteContrary to your point, I believe that power comes from attracting a group of people willing to follow you, and this group becomes the base of your power. Also, not everyone has the potential to increase their power, it all depends on his/her luck, luck to be born with a charisma that attracts others, luck to be born into money, luck to be born strong or smart. Of course everyone with a will to improve their situation can do so to a certain extent, but beyond that is put into chance
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