All through life people face problems of racism and prejudice. Also people have to work their way through the system and adopt the surroundings around them. In the novel, The Power of One, the author, Bryce Courtenay, creates these two themes of interest to the reader. The novel takes place in South Africa where the idea of racism is very prevalent. Not only does the main character, Peekay, experience this hatred, but other characters throughout …showed first 75 words of 850 total…

…showed last 75 words of 850 total…my spot in your favor.” (378 Courtenay). Peekay realizes that Morrie had read the headmaster perfectly and worked within the system to his benefit. Throughout the life people have to work within the system to their own advantage. They also have to deal with racism and hatred towards groups of people. In the novel, the characters have to face the same problems people today tolerate. Courtenay proves that these two themes are true throughout the novel.