Sex and Power in Chapter 17


The motif of Sex is seen when Brother Tod Clifton enters the Brotherhood Committee meeting, and causes a woman to emit a "pleasurable sigh" (363). Brother Clifton is one of the few characters to ever be described as particularly physically striking, and this adds to his dynamism and establishes him as a character of significance. In this same moment, the motif of Power is at play, as Brother Clifton enters the meeting late. From what we know of the Brotherhood so far, this would be seen as an indefensible sin, as they are a very militant, all for one, one for all organization. But Clifton is given a pass by Jack "Still, he should be on time-very well" (362). Power and Sex also mix here, because Clifton has a lot of power among the youth of the Brotherhood because the girls are attracted to him.