Power by Hope Mathumbu
In Power by Hope Mathumbu we have the theme of faith, power, innocence, jealousy, sibling rivalry and friendship. Narrated in the first person by Mathumbu herself the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Mathumbu may be exploring the theme of faith and the power of faith over an individual. Though Mathumbu wants to go to Jenny’s birthday party she still nonetheless understands the importance of faith in her and her family’s lives. She knows that her mother has a powerful faith regardless of what she might think of others. Though some critics might suggest that Mathumbu’s mother is hypocritical when it comes to Auntie Grace. She does after all never visit her home and does not allow for Mathumbu to babysit for Auntie Grace. If anything it is possible that Mathumbu’s mother’s faith is superficial and she judges other people and considers them not to be as good as her.
It may also be a case that Mathumbu is exploring the theme of innocence. Mathumbu doesn’t really know why she can’t babysit for Auntie Grace and doesn’t fully understand that her mother might consider Auntie Grace to be shameful because she has two children from two different men. Jenny’s relationship with Mathumbu is also worth mentioning. Their friendship is interracial. With Jenny being Asian and Mathumbu being African. If anything they overcome any difficulties they might incur due to their backgrounds and accept each other for who they are. Even if both girls might at times find the other strange. Mathumbu’s relationship with her sister, Naledi, is interesting as it would appear that Naledi is jealous of Mathumbu. Particularly when Mathumbu faints and Oliver sits beside her on the way to the party at Violet’s home.
There may be some symbolism in the story that might be important. The setting, the church, could symbolize the coming together of people as one or at least pretending to be one. This is especially true for Mathumbu’s mother. Mathumbu’s hair might also be significant as it is not as well looked after as other people’s hair. This could suggest that Mathumbu’s mother does not have the money for Mathumbu to style her hair or it may symbolize Mathumbu’s mother’s desire to stay connected with Africa. Either way Mathumbu does not like it and wants to look like others in the congregation. Mathumbu’s favourite song, ‘There is Power in the Blood’ may also have some significance as it lifts Mathumbu from her seat and she feels at one with God.
The end of the story is interesting as Mathumbu forgets all about Jenny’s birthday party when Oliver sits beside her in the car. There is no disputing that Mathumbu has a crush on Oliver. Even though Naledi has suggested he is gay because he wears unique clothes. This never effects Mathumbu and she doesn’t believe that Oliver is gay. As to whether Oliver is gay is difficult to say and it may be a case that Naledi is again jealous of Mathumbu and does not wish for her to be happy. Any faith that Mathumbu has is also restored by the fact that Oliver is in the car with her. It is only a small thing but Mathumbu accepts it as an act of God. From the beginning of the story right to the end God has played a significant part in Mathumbu’s life or at least Mathumbu thinks so.
"Mchoro wa ""Power by Hope Mathumbu"" unaonyesha jinsi imani, nguvu, ubinafsi, wivu, ushindani wa ndugu na marafiki wanavyoweza kuathiri maisha ya watu." Kwa mujibu wa Mathumbu mwenyewe, msomaji anatambua tangu mwanzo wa hadithi kwamba Mathumbu anaweza kuwa akichunguza mandhari ya imani na nguvu ya imani juu ya mtu binafsi. Ingawa Mathumbu anataka kwenda kwenye sherehe ya siku ya kuzaliwa ya Jenny bado anaelewa umuhimu wa imani katika maisha yake na ya familia yake. Anajua kwamba mama yake ana imani yenye nguvu bila kujali kile ambacho huenda akafikiri kuhusu wengine. Ingawa baadhi ya wakosoaji wanaweza kupendekeza kwamba mama Mathumbu ni unafiki linapokuja Auntie Grace. Baada ya yote yeye kamwe kutembelea nyumba yake na hauruhusu Mathumbu babysit kwa ajili ya shangazi Grace. Kwa kweli, inawezekana kwamba imani ya mama ya Mathumbu ni ya juu na yeye huwahukumu watu wengine na kuwaona kuwa si wazuri kama yeye. Inaweza pia kuwa kesi kwamba Mathumbu ni kuchunguza mandhari ya kutokuwa na hatia. Mathumbu hajui kwa nini hawezi kumtunza shangazi Grace na haelewi kabisa kwamba mama yake anaweza kumwona shangazi Grace kuwa na aibu kwa sababu ana watoto wawili kutoka kwa wanaume wawili tofauti. Uhusiano wa Jenny na Mathumbu pia unastahili kutajwa. Urafiki wao ni wa rangi mbalimbali. Jenny ni wa Asia na Mathumbu ni wa Afrika. Kwa hivyo, wanashinda shida zozote ambazo zinaweza kutokea kwa sababu ya asili yao na kukubaliana kwa sababu wao ni nani. Hata ingawa nyakati nyingine wasichana hao wawili huenda wakahisi kwamba mwenzake ni mgeni. Uhusiano wa Mathumbu na dada yake, Naledi, ni wa kuvutia kama ingekuwa inaonekana kwamba Naledi ni wivu wa Mathumbu. Hasa wakati Mathumbu anapopoteza fahamu na Oliver anakaa kando yake njiani kwenda kwenye sherehe nyumbani kwa Violet. Kuna baadhi ya ishara katika hadithi ambayo inaweza kuwa muhimu. Mzunguko, kanisa, lingeweza kufananisha kukusanyika kwa watu kama mmoja au angalau kujifanya kuwa mmoja. Hilo ni kweli hasa kwa mama ya Mathumbu. Nywele za Mathumbu zinaweza pia kuwa muhimu kwa kuwa hazitunzwi vizuri kama nywele za watu wengine. Hii inaweza kupendekeza kwamba mama ya Mathumbu hana pesa kwa Mathumbu kuunda nywele zake au inaweza kuashiria hamu ya mama ya Mathumbu ya kukaa kushikamana na Afrika. Kwa vyovyote vile, Mathumbu hapendi na anataka kufanana na wengine katika kutaniko. Wimbo unaopendwa na Mathumbu, "There is Power in the Blood" unaweza pia kuwa na umuhimu fulani kwani unamwinua Mathumbu kutoka kwenye kiti chake na anahisi kuwa mmoja na Mungu. Mwisho wa hadithi ni ya kuvutia kama Mathumbu husahau yote kuhusu sherehe ya siku ya kuzaliwa ya Jenny wakati Oliver anakaa kando yake katika gari. Hakuna ubishi kwamba Mathumbu anapendezwa na Oliver. Hata ingawa Naledi amedokeza kwamba yeye ni mashoga kwa sababu anavaa nguo za kipekee. Hii haikuathiri Mathumbu na haamini kwamba Oliver ni mashoga. Kama Oliver ni mashoga ni vigumu kusema na inaweza kuwa kesi kwamba Naledi ni tena wivu wa Mathumbu na hataki kwa ajili yake kuwa na furaha. Imani yoyote ambayo Mathumbu ana pia inarudishwa na ukweli kwamba Oliver yuko ndani ya gari pamoja naye. Ni jambo dogo tu lakini Mathumbu anakubali kama tendo la Mungu. Kuanzia mwanzo wa hadithi hadi mwisho Mungu amecheza sehemu muhimu katika maisha ya Mathumbu au angalau Mathumbu anafikiri hivyo.