A Question of Power

The motif of God and evil underpins the theme of Power and Helplessness in the narrative. Elizabeth’s quest turns power into an umbrella term that includes both God and evil. Power separates people and creates hierarchies that allow for domination. Dan and Medusa have power, and they use it to torture and oppress Elizabeth. The Christian God has power, and the God is separate from the people. Around Christmastime, Elizabeth hears a chorus sing, “Glory be to God on high, on earth peace, goodwill toward men,” and she’s “appalled” (109). She believes that if God is supposed to be good, he shouldn’t be above people—that’s where evil resides. Remembering what Sello told her, Elizabeth thinks, “God is people. There’s nothing up there. It’s all down here” (109). She believes a good God doesn’t seek power over people, nor does a good God want to make people feel helpless—a good God lives among people, and the focus on people accounts for Elizabeth’s interest in Buddha, who rejected his royal wealth and embraced a simple, reflective life.

The motif of God and evil also supports the theme of

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