Abuse Of Power In Steelheart

In Brandon Sanderson’s novel, Steelheart, it is suggested that power is nothing without the intelligence to produce an effective outcome.
Sanderson’s ability to insert symbolism as a way to give the characters depth is extraordinary. David, the main character, has been studying Epics since his father was murdered. Epics are humans that were gifted special powers that work against the laws of nature. The most powerful Epics are trying to take over the world. David decides that he wants to join a group of rebels, The Reckoners, so that he can hunt down and kill the Epic who murdered his father. One of the Epics that David studied was Firefight. Firefight is a very powerful Epic with the ability to create illusions. David thinks that he has learned
The theme that the story encompasses is the fact that power corrupts. Power is authority and strength that gives the ability to control. In Steelheart, the Epics are given power because of the fear they place on the civilians of the world. Without this fear, the Epics would be nothing because they would hold no power. “I looked up at him. A murderer outlined in brilliant light. Seen like that, he was just a shadow. Darkness. A nothingness before real power” (375). Steelheart, an Epic whose power is fraudulent, was too immersed within his image of power to realize that he was not intelligent enough to produce his wanted outcome. David was one step ahead realizing that if he wanted to defeat Steelheart he would have to find the one way to corrupt his power. “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. And as that arrogant, self-confident sneer implied, Steelheart did not fear himself. He was, perhaps, the only person alive who did not” (376). When David was able to see past Steelheart’s aura he was able to find the pieces needed to defeat him. People who gain absolute power suffer a complete moral breakdown. Those who have too much power are hidden behind a mirage that leads them to believe they are the ones in complete