The Power

The Power

by

Naomi Alderman

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Naomi Alderman Character Analysis

Naomi is a fictionalized version of the author Naomi Alderman herself. She has several correspondences with Neil about his book, The Power. She gives him feedback stating that she doesn’t believe some aspects of the narrative that he has crafted, such as male soldiers and police officers, or that women didn’t have skeins until just before the Cataclysm. She’s skeptical because those facts aren’t supported by history books or the things that everyone in their society learned in school. Naomi’s suggestions for Neil emphasize how, even 5,000 years after the events of the book, sexism still prevails and history, which has been written by those in power, often works to ensure the continuation of those sexist narratives.

Naomi Alderman Quotes in The Power

The The Power quotes below are all either spoken by Naomi Alderman or refer to Naomi Alderman. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Power and Violence Theme Icon
).
Chapter 50 Quotes

As to whether men are naturally more peaceful and nurturing than women... that will be up to the reader to decide, I suppose. But consider this; are patriarchies peaceful because men are peaceful? Or do more peaceful societies tend to allow men to rise to the top because they place less value on the capacity for violence? Just asking the question.

Related Characters: Neil Adam Armon (speaker), Naomi Alderman
Page Number: 377
Explanation and Analysis:

I don’t think it’s at all a stretch to suggest that they picked works to copy that supported their viewpoint and just let the rest molder into flakes of parchment. I mean, why would they re-copy works that said that men used to be stronger and women weaker? That would be heresy, and they’d be damned for it.

This is the trouble with history. You can’t see what’s not there.

Related Characters: Neil Adam Armon (speaker), Allie/Eve, Tunde Edo, Naomi Alderman, Nina
Page Number: 379
Explanation and Analysis:
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Naomi Alderman Quotes in The Power

The The Power quotes below are all either spoken by Naomi Alderman or refer to Naomi Alderman. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Power and Violence Theme Icon
).
Chapter 50 Quotes

As to whether men are naturally more peaceful and nurturing than women... that will be up to the reader to decide, I suppose. But consider this; are patriarchies peaceful because men are peaceful? Or do more peaceful societies tend to allow men to rise to the top because they place less value on the capacity for violence? Just asking the question.

Related Characters: Neil Adam Armon (speaker), Naomi Alderman
Page Number: 377
Explanation and Analysis:

I don’t think it’s at all a stretch to suggest that they picked works to copy that supported their viewpoint and just let the rest molder into flakes of parchment. I mean, why would they re-copy works that said that men used to be stronger and women weaker? That would be heresy, and they’d be damned for it.

This is the trouble with history. You can’t see what’s not there.

Related Characters: Neil Adam Armon (speaker), Allie/Eve, Tunde Edo, Naomi Alderman, Nina
Page Number: 379
Explanation and Analysis: