Talk about a one-track mind! From the first part of the novel Peekay assigns himself a life goal after meeting an acquaintance on a train: to become the welterweight boxing champion of the world, and he accepts the challenge with a ferocity that only a six-year-old kid can possess. The Power of One spends a lot of time talking about how exactly the protagonist hangs onto his goal, what he does to go about achieving it, and also what he gives up in order to fulfill his plans, including the possibility of marrying his elementary-school teacher at the ripe, old age of eight.
Questions About Dreams, Hopes, and Plans
- Why do you think that Peekay latches onto the dream that Hoppie assigns to him, even though he'd never heard of boxing before that day?
- What are the techniques and methods that Peekay uses to achieve his goals?
- What sacrifices must Peekay make because of his dreams? Do you think that they are worthwhile?
Chew on This
The novel shows how far a person can go when they are guided by a goal.
Peekay thinks that his goal is to become the welterweight champion of the world, but in reality it is to take revenge on the Judge.