Anna Paul Week 11: Obtaining Power
Obtaining Power
Like my previous blogs, I am continuing to write more about some of the books that I have currently read. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black follows a protagonist that wants to fight into a farie community. Jude Duarte, wants nothing more than to fit into a new society that she wants to call home, believing that she needs to gain more power in order to be respected and seen as a faerie and not mortal.
As many protagonists, Jude is already an odd one out because she is mortal. When she was young, her parents were murder which caused her and her sister, Taryn Duarte to be brought to the farie world. Despite the circumstances for why they were in that world in the first place, they both spend the next couple of years living and becoming accustomed to the traditions and expectations. 
"Pinterest."
Jude and her sister were shunned by many because they were mortal; faeries are known to have immortality which is something that Jude could never have. She feels as if she needs to prove herself to her community that she is more than just a mortal and that she can be just like them. Her goal in the beginning of the novel is to become a knight.
The concept of power in The Cruel Prince is shown through status. Like in reality, many who have power, have status in society. Jude’s growth throughout the book only shows that anyone can be able to obtain such respect through work and effort.
Hello, Anna! Here I am tuning into another round of book reviews with Anna Paul. Similar to last, last week I have also heard of the Cruel Prince book before but never actually read through it. Ironic almost how you keep reviewing the books that show up on my recommended. Anyway, going back to the review. I find it interesting that oftentimes in books and movies, fitting in is a common reason for people to try to get power and better themselves. It is a bit counterproductive to the modern day where it is common for people to be middle class or without much power whereas those with excessive amounts of power (like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates) are seen as anomalies in society and unable to ever fully be a “normal person.” But that begs the question if power really separates us as people. Maybe we aren’t faeries or immortal, but we have power distinctions in society nonetheless. I wonder if like Jude and her sister, it is impossible for those with different amounts of power to feel like they belong or blend into common day society. A big trope often seen in the media is that at a certain level of power and prestige, people begin to feel lonely and lose the ability to relate. It's a bit scary to think about and I am curious to see how that power play turns out in the book and if Jude finds the belonging she seeks.
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