Calling all feminists, The Power by Naomi Alderman illustrates a fictional version of society in which women are the dominant gender. In this future dystopia, all women suddenly develop the natural ability to create electrical jolts from their fingertips. With this newfound weapon, only existent in the female body, women now have a physical highground over men.
Alderman’s science-fiction twist on society provides an eye-opening perspective on conventional gender roles: women’s physical threat to men reflects upon their social expectations, femininity becomes a synonym for strength, men begin wearing women’s clothing in order to appear stronger, and women become elected as figures of authority. By providing an opposite outlook, the fictional story shines a light on the presence of gender roles in our reality, and how those roles can be brought to extremities.
The Power is not only an intriguing story created for sci-fi lovers, but a conversation-starter. This novel is a strong tool in bringing attention to the equality–or lack thereof–of men and women.