Magnanimity In The Power Of One Comparison

Two brilliant movies depict the magnanimity of characters who do things for the greater good. In the The Power of One, directed by John G. Avildsen, the character PK faces and fights discrimination in South Africa by leading the people in need. In Les Miserables, directed by Bille August, Jean Valjean is an ex-convict who constantly tries to repent his sins by helping others with his stolen silver, while running away from the relentless pursuit of inspector, Javert. These characters’ similarities and differences shows their characteristics and magnanimity. In The Power of One, PK shows magnanimity with his cleverness, leadership, and persistence. For example, While in the prison, PK befriends Geel Peit, and shows cleverness when he secretly gives the

Geel Peit tells PK, “Little beat big when little smart, first with the head then with the heart” (John G. Avildsen, 3). He knows the risk of giving them tobacco, but does it anyway, knowing that it will make the prisoners happy. Another example of his magnanimity is when he is required to give a concert with Doc in thanks to the general. He leads the Zuluu people to come together and sing as one single voice, and is known as the rainmaker. Geel Pie tells PK, “Where there is drought… people are in conflict. The rainmaker cools things down. He stops the conflict. He brings the rain; he brings the peace… You like the Zuluu. You cool things down. You write letters for all the tribes; you bring tobacco for all the tribes. Naturally, they think maybe you are the one from the myth. They sing to honor you” (John G. Avildsen, 4). He goes as far as to make the lyrics risky by having them be offensive to the establishment for being bad. They all sing “they are cowards, they run” and that brings them together with what they believe in. PK’s leadership not only proves his courage and goodness, but his