Symbolism in the Novel

Through out the book The Power of One Courtenay uses symbolism to refer to various struggles and challenges that Peekay faces.

The first use of symbolism that the author uses in the symbolism of a snake. In this novel the snake symbolises despair and shame. Peekay was circumcised, in this way he was different to the other (Boer) children at the boarding school that he went to. The fact that he was circumcised symbolised that he was English. Being English he was different from all the other students at the boarding school who were Boers. There was a evident conflict between the Boers and the English, this meant that Peekay was bullied because he was different. When he is bullied the Judge makes fun of him that he is circumcised, this causes Peekay to be ashamed for being different in this way. When Peekay goes back to boarding after his holidays he takes Grandpa Chook with him. Grandpa Chook symbolises friendship. Grandpa chock appears to show his faith in Peekay’s ability to overcome this shame by biting off the head of a real snake, symbolising that Peekay can overcome this shame and dare to be his real self.

Peekay himself analyses and deconstructs the symbol of the Tadpole Angel. In Chapter Twenty-One he finally comes to terms with the black people's legend about him, and tells Morrie that the Tadpole Angel is "a symbol, a symbol of hope." This analysis of the symbol's importance is confirmed by Peekay's experience in the Northern Rhodesian mines, where the black mine workers view him as a beacon of hope. Peekay's acceptance of the symbol is an important turning point in the novel- previous to that point, he experienced embarrassment at the idea of being the Tadpole Angel and tried to shun the symbol. Along with assuming the role of the Tadpole Angel, symbol of hope, Peekay has to confront hope's opposite: after the boxing match with Gideon Mandoma he gains foresight to the atrocities that lie ahead for South Africa.

Throughout the novel the author also creates a symbolism of the full moon. Through out the book Peekay associates death with the full moon. When grandpa chook died, it was a full moon, also when Geel Piet dies Courtenay mentions that it was full moon. Yet the full moon can also symbolise hope despite horror and hopelessness. This is because when at the end of the book Peekay fights the Judge and beats him the author also mentions the full moon.

The Power of One has continuous reference to fairy tale, the main reference is to the fairy tale Alice In Wonderland. Peekay refers to the rose garden behind the Barberton house as a garden out of the Alice in Wonderland. The Twins, the kitten maids that worked for Peekay family, Peekay called Dee and Dum, these are characters, the fairly tale.