Linda Hogan’s novel, Power, presents two different ways of perceiving the world from a couple female perspectives. The beauty of this novel is that it reveals the similarities and differences, uncovering the dangers in both and the ways in which power is used within both belief systems, for good and bad purposes. The story starts off very strong, with the storm scene and the climax of the panther’s death. I found this section very powerful and expressive.
“She. She has always watched for it. She has always believed it is there. Sometimes at night she has looked out into the darkness and seen its eyes. They have exchanged glances.” (57)
Ama is in complete control of her destiny, her actions directed toward bringing Omishto into the clan. Omishto finally connects the dots and realizes that Ama knows what she’s doing even if the panther is endangered. The sick panther represents the death of the old ways of the clan as Omishto represents their future. The language flows so well here, I felt embedded with the story. The world is portrayed here as hostile, not literally, but through the language. A split occurs after the initial storm scene. I feel that the remainder of the novel consists of Omishto’s journey to settle this schism and more importantly to understand it and where she belongs within it. Power in this novel is represented by the storm, the clan, and feminist power, in which Omishto’s power has potential in both worlds.
“She. She has always watched for it. She has always believed it is there. Sometimes at night she has looked out into the darkness and seen its eyes. They have exchanged glances.” (57)
Ama is in complete control of her destiny, her actions directed toward bringing Omishto into the clan. Omishto finally connects the dots and realizes that Ama knows what she’s doing even if the panther is endangered. The sick panther represents the death of the old ways of the clan as Omishto represents their future. The language flows so well here, I felt embedded with the story. The world is portrayed here as hostile, not literally, but through the language. A split occurs after the initial storm scene. I feel that the remainder of the novel consists of Omishto’s journey to settle this schism and more importantly to understand it and where she belongs within it. Power in this novel is represented by the storm, the clan, and feminist power, in which Omishto’s power has potential in both worlds.
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