Power is often conceived as an evil force used only for the benefit of the one obtaining that power. Consequently, we are led to believe that all methods to procure power are forceful and evil-spirited, when, in fact, that is far from the truth. Friedrich Nietzsche’s “On the Doctrine of the Feeling of Power” explains that benefit is indeed a way of attaining power, and how it is attained through the dependency of those whom the powerful have power over. Both the latter and former ways of obtaining power are demonstrated by the feared and venerated El Patrón in The House of the Scorpion. This character exerts forceful power by never letting go of anything he thinks is his, be it gifts, possessions, or people. He also shows power over Matt, his