The Struggle For Power In Ernest Gaines A Gathering Of Old Men

212 Words1 Pages
Power is very seductive to humans and can corrupt even the strongest minds. The want for power is embedded in human nature and is a recurring theme in both history and literature. Whether it is a roman military leader declaring himself dictator for life or an eye that will stop at nothing to find the tenth ring that rules them all. Ernest Gaines’ A Gathering of Old Men, a combination of history and literature, is no different. The struggle for power amongst races, characters, and relationships are constant in the story. Furthermore, the want for power affects the characters and their actions throughout the novel. There are three different “races” in A Gathering of Old Men. There are the whites who are the highest authority in the hierarchy.