Wielding Power In 'Antaeus' By Borden Deal

“Antaeus”

Wielding power, however it may be done, emphasises strength and authority in a person. It evokes confidence in their voice. Adds authority to their actions, and sense of pleasure from their own accomplishments. People draw ‘power’ from an array of sources, and in the case of a southern boy named T.J, his deep understanding for the effort into the land he cultivates, is his source. In the story, “Antaeus”, the author Borden Deal suggests that, with power, you truly are your strongest. Similarly to the character that T.J plays, a greek, mythological figure, by the name of Antaeus, had drawn his strength and power from the ground beneath him. And fittingly, antaeus is also the title of this short story, which cleverly alludes

He ironically was fitted with an odd tone of voice, which could be described as being “sissy”. This signature characteristic of T.J, set him apart from his new found friends, which they could immediately notice, and get by, for they knew there was more in him. This “sissy” voice, later on shifted to be bigger than just an oddity of T.J’s, when he was put in the situation of defending something he had collectively cared for, with his friends:

T.J started forward. “You can’t do that,” he said. “We toted it up here, and it’s our earth. We planted it and raised it and toted it up here” The man stared at him coldly. “But it’s my building,” he said. “ It’s to be shovelled off tomorrow.” “It’s our earth,” T.J. said desperately. “You ain’t got the

“They ain’t gonna lay a hand on it! Come on.” He had seized a board and thrust it into the soil, scooping it up and flinging it over the parapet into the areaway below. He straightened and look at us. “They can’t touch it,” he said. “I won’t let ’em lay a dirty hand on it!”

It is the fact that T.J was adamant on not letting anyone else, but except those involved in nurturing its growth, to remove it, which was so powerful. It ultimately was a decision he made, that made them the authoritative figure over who would handle the situation, instead of the landowner. And what a powerful statement they had left, by being the ones that do it themselves. ‘

In most cases where taking back to an adult is considered arrogant, and acting on the frustration and anger of conflicting decision is childish, this scenario was different. These are not just deviants that want thing to go their way. They were part of the making of something that they collectively thought was beautiful and worth the effort, and approached wisely at a resolve to the differences they faced. They might have lost that one thing that was so dear to them, but the satisfaction that derives from their accomplishments, sticks with them. Not only were they able to make a rooftop garden a reality, they were also the ones who took it down. Not because of the decision the landowner had forced on them, but rather the power that T.J and his friends gave themselves, by taking