To Wield or Not to Wield, THAT is the Question

Power struggle has always been a popular topic. Especially between political candidates, or even countries. But this power struggle is not an external one that you can see. This power struggle takes place within everyone, battling with themselves for how much power the will use and can handle. I think of this eternal internal battle, when asked the question how much power does an individual wield? This vague question about humanity has many correct answers. In the novel, The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, the author explores this all most impossible to answer question in a multitude of ways. One way to look at an individuals power is shown through the chapter "The Man I Killed". Power is shown in its simplest form, one man's power to take another man's life. O'Brien writes, "I was afraid of him- afraid of something- and as he passed me on the trail I threw a grenade that exploded at his feet and killed him" (O'Brien 125). It was so simple, physically, for O'Brien to kill this man, just a flick of his wrist and the threat is gone. In this moment, O'Brien chose to use or wield his power, even though mentally after he was a wreck for destroying another living person. Another way the author portrays an individuals power is through the character Jimmy Cross. In the chapter "In the Field", Jimmy Cross places his troops in a "shit field" (O'Brien 158) and Kiowa dies. Some readers may argue that it was not Cross' fault, because "the order had come from higher" (O'Brien 157). But, that very statement represents Cross' use of his individual power. Cross chose not to wield it and cost a life. Now if  Cross went against higher orders, would have been consequences? Quite likely. But, Kiowa would have probably survived that night. Both O'Brien and Cross chose to when to wield or withhold their internal power. In both circumstances there are consequences. This is what makes power tricky. How does a person decide when it is good time to use it? Who is so in control that they will know the outcome of the destruction power can lead to? The answer? No one. So how much power does an individual wield? A lot, they just chose when they want to show it.