Introduction
Power is the ability to exert force on another person or thing, directly or indirectly. Power is a multifaceted term that may mean different things to different people. Some define power as the capacity to exert influence or command over another.
Power may mean other things to different people. For some, it is the capacity to accomplish what they want with their lives. Characters exhibit a unique idea of power in “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway and in the poem “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar.
Power and Character Comparison
“Hills Like White Elephants”
Two characters in Ernest Hemingway’s short story “Hills Like White Elephants” scrutinize one another in a hotel room in Spain. The story’s main female character, “Jig,” personifies Hemingway’s conception of strength. Jig is a woman in control over her male partner, powerless to stop her from following through on her own decision. As the narrative develops, Jig’s colleague explains his perspective on a proposed procedure to him.
Although Jig is largely mute and passive throughout the story, she is not helpless despite this (Hemingway 1). Through her stillness and attentive listening, Jig can challenge the narrator’s authority. According to Hemingway, this is shown when Jig says, “I feel fine,” ending the couple’s argument by ignoring the man’s concerns (2).
Jig’s speech is brief, but it indicates her authority among the group. She refuses to let her lover impose his will on her, even if he tries to control her with words (Hemingway 3). Jig’s ability to express her authority without speaking demonstrates that words are not always necessary.
The narrative ends on a cliffhanger, but it seems likely that Jig will ultimately have her way and assert her autonomy over the path she takes. The lesson to be learned from Jig is that true strength comes from inside and is not necessarily expressed by forceful language. Instead, Hemingway argues that true power lies in the ability to chart one’s course. Jig’s understated authority exemplifies Hemingway’s superb portrayal of strength in the novel.
“We Wear the Mask”
In contrast, Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “We Wear the Mask” explores power in several contexts through several characters and themes. His concept of power as resilience is reflected in the mask. It suggests that the speaker recognizes the difficulty of a specific circumstance but yet opts to persevere (Dunbar 4). The poem restates that people keep going despite problems, even when they hide their genuine feelings behind a front of happiness.
The speaker carries a mask over their anguish as they move through life, yet real strength lies in overcoming adversity. The poem is a testament to the power of the human will, proving that despite life’s difficulties, people can find it within themselves to persevere. The mask is highly potent in terms of its physical and mental effects. It is a formidable defense system that protects the body from grief and anguish.
It symbolizes the power to overcome misfortune and emerge stronger on the other side, a well of inner strength to draw. It is necessary to conceal our feelings from those who criticize or take advantage of us, as “it hides our cheeks and shades our eyes” (Dunbar 8). The mask is quite potent psychologically. It can make people seem more confident and specific than they are, helping them accomplish more than they would have otherwise. It may also serve as a shield against apprehension and uncertainty, enabling people to achieve results they never imagined possible.
Ultimately, the mask grants its wearer the ability to present an idealized image of oneself. It allows people to give the impression that they are more capable, confident, and competent than they are. The mask symbolizes the wearer’s inner strength and will, empowering them to make decisions and shape their destiny. But its influence extends well beyond the confines of any one person.
The mask’s strength may be transferred to people around us, encouraging them to take risks and achieve their goals. Poetically said, “To thee from tortured souls arise”: “We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries.” (Dunbar 13). The mask’s power lies in its ability to inspire optimism and fortitude in the face of adversity, opening doors of possibility for others to follow in the wearer’s footsteps.
When illustrating the idea of authority, the mask in “We Wear the Mask” is hard to beat. Its strength lies in its ability to shield its users from the scrutiny of others and to help them project an image of themselves to the world. Individuals can have the self-assurance, self-control, and motivation to influence people around them positively. It symbolizes the bravery and fortitude required to forge one’s path to power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, each protagonist exemplifies a different conception of authority. The protagonist in “Hills Like White Elephants” demonstrates power through command, whereas the speaker in “We Wear the Mask” personifies it through grit under pressure. There are several meanings of power, and these two figures represent two. Despite these variations, their experiences show that power may take many forms and is a potent and essential global factor.
Works Cited
Hemingway, Ernest. Hills Like White Elephants. The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway: The Finca Vigía Edition, Scribner, 1987, pp. 211-214.
Dunbar, Paul Laurence. We Wear the Mask. The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar, Dodd, Mead and Company, 1913, p. 71.