Self Control

Author's Note: This is a piece I wrote on conflict resolution for the novel Graceling.

Control. We all hope we have it.  But for Kasta in the novel "Graceling" it is crucial.  So throughout the book the person vs self conflict of self control reigns. In the beginning of the book Kasta struggles to control her frustration at her uncle, King Randa, because she fears her ability to kill him.  This problem escalates to the point where her self control is tested almost beyond the limit.  Fortunately she is able to walk away.  But this explains why in the second half of the book Kasta fears King Leck.

Leck can take away people's self control just by speaking.  This means when Kasta must face him it is something like her worst nightmare.  With no control and  a secret about to be revealed Kasta does something she has always feared she is capable of.  She uses a knife to stop Leck from talking.  Yet somehow it is this act of violence that leads her to accept her violent nature and frees her to live a better life.