Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Power, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Power and Violence
Corruption
Gender Reversals and Sexism
Stories, History, and Perspective
Religion and Manipulation
Revolution and Social Change
Summary
Analysis
Allie is in the castle’s chapel just before the party. Most of the paintings have been “replaced and reimagined according to the New Scripture.” There is even a picture of herself with a symbolic tree behind her, the eyes in the center of her hands.
Alderman again references how Allie has essentially rewritten religious history, overwriting Scripture and replacing old artwork with new artwork that supports her beliefs.
Themes
Jocelyn has requested a private meeting with Eve. Jocelyn explains that she feels very lost, and starts to cry. As soon as Eve puts a hand on Jocelyn, she understands Jocelyn’s issues. Jocelyn asks if she can heal her. Eve says that all they can do is pray. As the two pray together, Allie gives a few pushes of power to Jocelyn’s system. Jocelyn gasps: her skein is “humming steadily.” She is shocked that she has been healed. She thanks Eve profusely.
Allie performs another seeming miracle in the name of the Holy Mother, though of course she really uses her power rather than prayer. It leads to a powerful faith in Jocelyn, but one that is easily manipulated, as she would do nearly anything for Eve after she has been cured.
Themes
Eve goes down to the party. Tatiana is there, guarded by two young men in very tight clothing. Tatiana speaks about the cruelty done by the North Moldovans. Tatiana then tells one of the men behind her (Peter) to go get wine for her. When he returns, he accidentally interrupts a joke she is telling. Tatiana berates him: “Just like a man,” she says, “Does not know how to be silent.” She shatters the bottle on the floor and demands he lick the wine up, which he does. Allie is repulsed, but the voice tells her that if she says anything she will weaken her power.
The power truly goes to Tatiana’s head here. Not only does she constantly strive for security in her own power, but she now branches into being extremely cruel to this young man simply because she is able to. It is here that Alderman demonstrates her point that women may not necessarily be better leaders than men: anyone who holds power can be corrupted by it.
Themes
