Power

One of the major preoccupations of the novel is the various ways in which characters accumulate power and use it, and how they justify their use of power. While it would be wholly inaccurate to describe Kyoshi as being weak in any way, she is reluctant and unsure of her own powers, unable to use care and precision with Earthbending, and unable to accept herself as the Avatar. When Kyoshi is forced to accept herself as the Avatar, however, she slowly begins to learn how to hone her strength and use it, not merely to her own advantage but to try and improve the world. Still, Kyoshi is amazed at the joy she feels when she stops purposefully limiting herself. This is shown in a spiritual manner when Kyoshi meditates with Jianzhu and Yun: “Kyoshi didn’t know how to control her energy. But if Jianzhu...