Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

          The book, "Unbroken," by Laura Hillenbrand is about an olympic runner, Louie Zamperini, who is forced to join the second world war, and how after getting his plane shot down he is stuck on a raft for the next three months and is forced to fend for himself. There are many different people and groups who have the power in this text at different scenarios.
          One person who has power in this text is Louie. When Louie is a child he is an absolute terror to his family and no one can stop him. "He [Louie] was often chased by people he robbed, and at least two people threatened to shoot him." Louie is an utter terror and whether its stealing money or food he has done it, also he is only six years old at this time. He has the power because he doesnt care what his family says or does to him, he just keeps doing the crimes over and over, "You could beat him to death," said his mother Louise, " and he wouldnt say ouch or even cry out." "The next day he would be back and stealing things." This shows how Louie was just impossible to deal with and could pretty much do whatever he wanted because he didnt care. Through the book Louie does grow up and become more mature as he puts all the effort from crime into running. He is a character that is easy to cheer for and he now uses his power in mischief in something useful and legal.
          Another person who has power in this book is Glenn Cunningham. Glenn Cunningham is a man who got into an extreme car accident and has scars all over his body, but still contests in running. He has power because he is so accomplished and has all of these unbelievable stories to go along with it, and this gives him an edge over other runners. "When he [Louie] and all other young athletes saw Glenn Cunningham standing in front of them they were shocked." This shows how even without doing much of anything he has the power to make people's jaw drop and make them respect him. Cunningham doesnt end up doing very well in the Olympics yet he still has many more people than most come up to him congradulating him.
         A group of people who have power in this text is the Japanese. They have the power because slowly, but progressively they are taking over continent after continent killing millions of innocent people. They are a strong army with huge numbers and destroy tiny countries easily. "Over decades, it [the Japanese army] had crafted a muscular, technologically sophisticated army and navy, it had shaped its people for a war." And as trained, Japan takes over almost the entire western hemisphere not losing much of its army. When Louie goes to war, he and all of his crew is intimidated by this monster of an army. In different parts of the book different people and groups have power over others, such as how the Japanese have power over Louie but he has power over his family.
        A fourth and final example of a group who has power in this text is the Germans. This book is in the Hitler era, and like the Japanese the Germans are taking over portions of the world and making them Nazi. They are killing thousands of Jews and non-arians just because. All reigons in their way are terrified and people are fleeing everywhere. The governments cannot do anything to stop them, they have nearly unlimited power to do as they please. At the olympic running ground, "Each time Hitler entered, the entire crowd [of 100,000] got up with the Nazi salute." This is an example of how Hitler has control over almost all Germans and how 100,000 people are willing to kill millions of Jews. The Germans are really down for the cause and wont stop at anything to take over the world.
      These are four examples of people and groups who have power throughout this books. The power shifts throughout the book and goes to many people. Also many people have power over others. Power and the upper hand is a major theme throughout this book.