Hoppie Groenewald's Legacy

Hoppie Groenewald’s Legacy upon Peekay’s Life
Humans are ignorant. History has been marked by violence, hate, and discrimination. The name and legacy of Adolf Hitler still brings chills to a world that vividly remembers the millions of Jewish lives lost. Such genocide occurs every day. An obscure, yet no less horrific instance of such prejudice is the prosecution of Englishmen in early 20th century South Africa. After fighting several wars, the Boers develop a sense of loathing and disgust towards the English, and pass it to their children. Courtenay’s novel The Power of One introduces us to Peekay in such a toxic environment. The intellectually precocious Peekay realizes at the age of five that he is targeted for being different:

he is a rooinek. When the Nazi-sympathizing Judge bullies Peekay, the young protagonist is forced to blend in with his surroundings.

After meeting Hoppie and watching him defeat the giant Jackhammer Smit, however, Peekay learns a mantra that will change his life forever: “Fight first with the head, then with the heart” (103). Peekay remembers Hoppie’s slogan for the rest of his life, and applies it not only to boxing, but also to his life; by doing so, he avenges his miserable childhood at the hands of the Judge.
At first, Peekay uses Hoppie’s dictum only in boxing. In every match, he emphasizes the proverb to himself before he fights: “First with your head, then with your heart, first with your head, then with your heart, Hoppie’s words drummed through my brain as I tried to stay alive” (220). Peekay repeats the mantra several times, producing a serious, focused atmosphere. His use of “drummed” emphasizes this methodical repetition. By reiterating the phrase, Peekay stresses the importance of the mantra in his boxing life. And it turns out that following the motto is wise. Peekay realizes that he has to make Bronkhorst step closer to him by using his head and analyzing his opponent. Then, in order to make him do so, Peekay uses his heart: “Come closer, Boer bastard.

Are you scared or something?” (221). By calling him a “Boer bastard”, Peekay is expressing disgust for Bronkhorst and two of his prized possessions: his nationality and his family. This taunting naturally resulted in the desired outcome. In this manner, Peekay defeats Bronkhorst for a second time, using what he learned from Hoppie. While this fight was a rather insignificant one, Hoppie’s advice also comes in handy for more critical fights, such as the one with the Judge in the last chapter. In fact, this fight is so crucial that Peekay implies that his entire boxing career has led up to it. Throughout it all, he never forgets what Hoppie taught him: “It was Hoppie’s voice I heard in my head, and my resolve became a solid force, a pure, clean feeling” (511). Hoppie’s saying has acquired such a significance for Peekay that just remembering it helps him calm down and focus. He analyzes the Judge’s weaknesses: “With his sinuses already severely blocked, I would try to work on his mouth. If i could make him swallow enough blood as well as lead him into frequent charges, he’d soon be winded” (511). By leading him into “frequent charges” and making him “winded”, Peekay uses his head, rather than fighting completely with his heart and trying to land a big punch. Then, after defeating Botha with his head, his heart comes into play, as he “rubbed” the mess “into the Union Jack and into the initials to set up a massive infection” (513). Peekay uses his heart to rid himself of the feelings of inadequacy and timidness acquired from the Judge.
Later, aided by his close friend Morrie, he also applies this mantra in his life outside of boxing.

When Peekay wants Morrie to start betting on the Geldenhuis match, Morrie is doubtful because he is “making book in the dark” (339). Peekay considers Morrie the embodiment of Hoppie’s advice when Morrie says: “No offense Peekay, but next time first the facts then the trust.” (340). Peekay appreciates that Morrie is able to place logic over friendship. When Peekay wins, however, Morrie is able to trust in his skill. Morrie and Peekay also use their head in setting up a gigantic scam. When Geldenhuis and Morrie bet on the outcome of the match, Morrie asks Geldenhuis: “Twenty percent of the winnings or fifty quid now, it’s your choice” (403). Morrie, knowing that Geldenhuis had never seen a 50-quid bill, used his knowledge of psychology to earn a profit, as twenty percent of the winnings would have amounted to far more than 50 pounds. Morrie deliberately uses the word “now”, knowing that Geldenhuis would seek immediate gratification. After Morrie gives Geldenhuis the 50 pounds, Geldenhuis foolishly challenges Peekay to a match, and Morrie bets on Peekay: “I bet you fifty quid Peekay smacks your arse!” (405). By using provocative language such as “smacks your arse”, Morrie is deliberately goading Geldenhuis into accepting the bet. Geldenhuis, a proud man, is in a dilemma: he either bets and, in all probability, loses fifty quid; or he can deny the bet and admit to himself that

Peekay is the superior boxer. By playing on Geldenhuis’s arrogance, Morrie earns back the fifty quid, and pays Geldenhuis back for his snide racial insults. He fights with his head, but was inspired to do so by his heart, which did not accept the torrent of abuse directed towards him. By winning, Morrie and Peekay earn enough to send Peekay to a world-class boxing academy. Hoppie’s phrase not only helped Peekay earn money, but also further his career.
Hoppie Groenewald influenced Peekay far more than just his boxing career. He taught Peekay a way of life: by fighting first with the head, and then the heart, Peekay is ahead from the start. His triumphs as a boxer and his achievements in life outside boxing can be attributed to this phrase. Ultimately, Peekay defeats the Judge, ridding himself of the humiliation he faced as a child. Hoppie didn’t just influence Peekay’s career and success; he helped Peekay find light through the darkness and helped fuel his ultimate victory.