Kids have always
wanted to have super powers, and they think it would make life easier. In the
book I Am Number 4 by Pittacus Lore,
the main character named john, has super powers because he is from a different
planet than ours. He is part of an alien race called the Loric from planet Lorian.
This planet has been destroyed by another alien race called the Mogadorians. The
Mogadorians are trying to kill the rest of the Loric and make earth their permanent
home. The Loric race is faster and stronger than a normal human, which also
gives them influence and power over them.
John is
stronger and faster than an average human, so in order to fit in society, he
cannot show his strength. He can also use his strength to fight and most likely
win. “…then I look back at Mark. I could literally break him in half if I
wanted to.” (Lore 33). This just shows that John knows how powerful he is and
how he can easily take down the star of the football team because of his
strength. This also shows that he can control his anger, but if he could not it
would lead him to use his strength uncontrollably.
John also
develops legacies, or super powers in order to fight the Mogadorians. He can use
them at his own will but must train and exercise them to their full potential.
All legacies are triggered by emotions; John’s anger to Mark made a legacy to
appear. Some legacies are used for defensive measures such as resistance to
fire, while others are offensive powers like controlling the weather. In any
case, all legacies give its wielder power over someone else. “I hold my arms
out; my body is straining in concentration. Nothing at first and then very
slowly he begins to rise off the floor.” (Lore 245). John uses his telekinesis
to make a man tell him where the Mogadorians came from. This just shows his
power compared to a normal human and how he has power over them as well.
John also
uses his power over his guardian, or
Cĕpan. Since they are being hunted down, they must leave whenever danger is
close. But John finally makes a friend and gets a girlfriend so he doesn’t want
to leave early. His Guardian, Henri, finds out that the Mogadorians are near so
he gets ready to leave, but John resists. “I raise my hand and point at him and
lift him from the ground. He is too shocked to say anything.” (Lore 258-259).
This just shows that he can use his legacies to get what he wants. He can just
use his powers to lift his guardian and stay a while longer. Personally I think
this is a bad choice because his life is at stake and all he wants to do is
have a normal human life, but what happens if the Mogadorians find him?
Anger is a
very powerful emotion which can lead to violence. John’s Legacies give him
power over many things. Just a trigger of anger can make him use his powers
uncontrollably which could lead him to hurt someone. I think he should listen
to his Cĕpan because that is why they are therefore; to guide John in the right
direction and keep him from danger that may result in his death.
