In The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay, Hoppie Groenewald is a train attendant, conductor and star welterweight boxer. As the reader reads the book, he will notice that Hoppie does not have as extensive a role as some of the other characters, but is undoubtedly the strongest male presence in Peekay's life. Until now, Peekay needs a male figure: someone who is a good role model for him, someone who will inspire him forever. As the first male figure to look after Peekay, it is very important to be a good role model and make a good first impression. Courtenay creates Hoppie as a caring and determined individual whose traits allow him to inspire many others, including Peekay. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayPeekay needs someone to look up to and care for him, someone who sincerely cares about him because he feels a deep loneliness. Courtenay deploys Hoppie specifically to do this, to fill the hole in Peekay's empty pit of loneliness. Hoppie is a very caring person; he feeds Peekay and makes sure he is well dressed and comfortable at all times. When Peekay first meets Hoppie, he embarrasses himself by tripping while going up a steep staircase. After this happens, Hoppie says, "Don't worry, little brother, I've fallen down those Verdome steps several times too" (63). Hoppie says this because he knows Peekay feels embarrassed about having to ride the train with these people for the next two days. They now know him as “the boy who fell down the steps”. This shows that Hoppie cares about people, mainly Peekay, in many ways. One way is that he goes out of his way to notice that Peekay is embarrassed and tries to solve the problem. Additionally, Hoppie uses the term of endearment, "little brother", to make Peekay feel cared for. This is a key moment for their relationship. Peekay feels a connection with Hoppie as they both share the same embarrassment of falling down the stairs. It is also a key moment because it is one of the first times that he is not called “rooinek”, a derogatory term for people of English origin. Later in the story, after they have gotten to know each other and become closer, Peekay begins to cry. Hoppie says, “Sometimes it’s good to cry, sometimes you fight better when you’ve had a good cry.” Now tell old Hoppie what’s going on” (69). This shows that Hoppie cares deeply for Peekay. He puts Peekay at ease while he cries. He could have told Peekay not to cry, but instead he asks Peekay what's wrong and tells him it's okay to cry. This shows his deep affection and liking for young Peekay. Whom he just met and barely knows. Even though he has just met him, he wants to know him better. While befriending Peekay, Hoppie reluctantly becomes his first role model. As an essential personal quality, determination is something Peekay will need if he is to survive the rest of his life. Hoppie, as Peekay's role model, will be able to teach him this trait. He is the most determined individual Peekay has ever met and being determined is an important character trait to have during this time in South Africa. Hoppie introduces himself to Peekay as: “I am a guardian and soon also a conductor” (63). Hoppie knows that he has worked very hard at his job and is determined to get a promotion because he wants to become a conductor. He is excellent at his job and even goes out of his way to make sure Peekay is well taken care of”(103).