58 pages 1 hour read

Brandon Sanderson

Steelheart

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Symbols & Motifs

Superpowers

The superpower motif plays a key role in exposing how unmitigated power corrupts people. Megan reflects, “I think [Epics are] a test of some kind. […] I mean a test of what we’ll do, if we have power” (228). The narrative evidence proves that tasting power makes Epics greedier and more narcissistic. In typical superhero stories, the presence of superpowers justifies a new persona distinct from the character’s human counterpart: Clark Kent is Superman; Bruce Wayne is Batman; and Peter Parker is Spider-Man. Often, these characters adopt superhero personas to hide their true identities and live normal lives. However, in Sanderson’s inverted depiction of superpowers, Epics’ abilities change their inmost being so drastically that their power-drunk personalities warrant an entirely new identity. David notices these personality changes whenever Prof or Megan uses powers, even if used to defend friends: “[Megan’s] eyes were angry. I don’t think I’d ever seen an expression like that in a person’s eyes before—not directed at me at least. It was like I could feel the hate coming off her” (204). This inversion, therefore, highlights the novel’s themes about how power inherently alters people to become less human.

Related Titles

By Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Elantris

Brandon Sanderson

Elantris

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Mistborn

Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn: The Final Empire

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Oathbringer

Brandon Sanderson

Oathbringer

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Rhythm of War

Brandon Sanderson

Rhythm of War

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Shadows of Self

Brandon Sanderson

Shadows of Self

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Skyward

Brandon Sanderson

Skyward

Brandon Sanderson

Plot Summary

logo

The Rithmatist

Brandon Sanderson

The Rithmatist

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

The Way of Kings

Brandon Sanderson

The Way of Kings

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Tress of the Emerald Sea

Brandon Sanderson

Tress of the Emerald Sea

Brandon Sanderson

Plot Summary

logo

Words of Radiance

Brandon Sanderson

Words of Radiance

Brandon Sanderson