Power can be expressed in various forms by an influential person, group or organisations. Power is the ability to change a second party's mind whether it be individual or in a group.
These factors are clearly shown in the novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee and the film "Schindler's List" by Stephen Spielberg.
In "To Kill a Mockingbird" power is explored through the prominent theme of racial prejudice and injustice.
Set in 1933-35 in the fictional town of Maycomb County, Alabama during the depression, "To Kill a Mockingbird" explores the relationship between white and negro communities and how the power of the whites dominated the negro's.
The film "Schindler's List", based on a true story during WWII, demonstrates the abuse of power which the Germans had over the Jews and how one man heroically stood up against his society to save over 1000 Jewish lives. Oskar Schindler used his authority and power as an individual to make history by saving so many Jews from execution.
During the 1930's in the southern states of America, the white communities looked down at negros as being inferior to themselves which created the conflict throughout "To Kill a Mockingbird"
One of many instances involves a scene outside the courthouse where Tom Robinson a negro was on trial for the rape of Myalla Ewell who was a member of the white society.
A group known as the Old Sarum bunch that were considered influential as they had the power in numbers, arrived outside the court house determined to take matters into their own hands by killing Tom Robinson without a fair trial. Atticus Finch, who was defending Tom Robinson, was on guard outside the courthouse knowing that the tension would bring trouble. A member of the Old Sarum bunch stated "You know what we want." "Get aside from the door, Mr. Finch". This shows that power in numbers can be effective and change the way one individual would think if by himself. By becoming a part of a mob, behaviour and attitudes change as you have others to support your actions.
This scene was interrupted by Atticus' children Jem and Scout along with friend Dill running to Atticus's side. Scout recognised Mr Cunningham, a friend amongst the Old Sarum Bunch and innocently said "Hey, Mr Cunningham, How's your entailment getting along?" As Scout continued talking Mr. Cunningham began to feel embarrassed and called the mob off by saying "Lets clear it out, let's get going boys"
It was the innocence of a child that was able to dissolve the angry, irate mob through sympathy. This shows whilst in a group, power can be effective, but when individuals are singled out situations can change.
Another concept of power displayed in the novel was the trial of Tom Robinson. It was here the power of the whites dominated the court proceedings. This is evident from the start as the blacks filed in last and are seated in the balcony, and the jury consisted of only white people.
As the hearing proceeds all evidence showed Tom Robinson's innocence but the verdict was already decided before the trail began as the majority of the white community were prejudice against blacks and he didn't stand a chance, because he was negro.
During the court hearing the states lawyer, Mr Gilmore asked Tom Robinson why he stopped to help Mayella and for no money. Tom states that he saw Mayella struggling and felt sorry for her. Mr Gilmore acknowledges loudly, "you felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?"
This shows that racism was acceptable in court, with Mr Gilmore saying how ludicrous it is for a black man to feel sorry for a white woman under any circumstance. This clearly shows the power and control the whites had in the courtroom.
In the film "Schindler's List" in 1933 the Nazi Party led by Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany.
Oskar Schindler was part of the Nazi Party, but when he saw first hand the slaughtering of innocent Jews he said "I am now resolved to do everything in my power to defeat the system"
Oskar Schindler ran a factory in which he produced poor quality tank and artillery shells. In the factory, the Jewish people worked hard, and no Jews were killed or mistreated. All the money Schindler made in the factory went towards buying more Jews and bribing SS
Officials. By 1942 he had 500 Jews working for him, and when Schindler diverted Jewish people to the factory from concentration camps he had housed over 1400 Jews. When asked why he was helping the Jews, he simply said " if you saw a dog going to be crushed under a car, wouldn't you help it?"
Schindler was amongst a few of the Nazi people who had the power to intervene against the abuse that German society accepted. He used his power as an individual and risked his own life to save over 1000 lives. Before Schindler made the "shell" factory he ran a pot and pan factory which made him rich. Oskar could have left Germany any time with wealth, but he used his power and money to ensure that many lives of Jews were saved.
As a result of this, after the war Oskar Schindler had no money to his name, but he had saved many Jewish people from execution because he used his power as an individual to stand up against evil.
One of the main techniques used in "Schindler's List" was a young girl wearing a red dress in the black and white film which highlighted the innocence of the Jewish people.
As shown in both texts, power can be depicted individually or in groups. Power sometimes involves standing up against a society to do what is morally right as shown in "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Schindlers list".
