How Does Peekay Show Courage

In the novel, The Power of One, the protagonist led an exceedingly difficult life. He, Peekay, was constantly tormented by his peers for being an english in South Africa. Through the guidance of Hoppie Groenewald, Peekay would discover meaning in a life perceived to be harsh and incomplete. Hoppie inspired him to follow his dreams. Hoppie allowed Peekay to see what his true passion was. Although only knowing him for a day, Hoppie had imprinted upon Peekay unlike all else had done before, as when he states, “Hoppie had passed briefly through my life, like a train passing in the night” (103). Hoppie Groenewald was the primary inspiration to whom Peekay would become and one of the main factors to the plot of The Power of One. The first encounter Peekay experienced of Hoppie was as Peekay boarded the train to return from boarding school. Hoppie

Hoppie had appointed Peekay this goal in which developed his obsession with fighting and incredible talent. Peekay followed Hoppie’s advice, devoting his life to the art of fighting. Peekay even goes as far as to say, “...He gave me a defense system and with it he gave me hope” (103). Without the inspiration of Hoppie, Peekay’s life would have been much different. Peekay eventually becomes an incredible fighter. Peekay would one day “beat big” when he defeats the judge and is absolved of all hatred towards his past. Hoppie Groenewald was not just a friend to Peekay. Hoppie stimulated Peekay all throughout his life. He encouraged Peekay to not allow hatred to fuel his life, saying, “You can’t go feeding hate on the past, it’s not natural” (86). Hoppie gave Peekay the tools to overcome his rough upbringing and to fight “...first with the heat and then with the heart” (100). Peekay referred to Hoppie’s wisdom years after first meeting the young boxer. Hoppie laid the road map that would be Peekay’s