Kristen Character Analysis in The Power

Kirsten is one of the TV anchors in a recurring sketch in the book. At first, Kristen is given the lighter material and her colleague Tom is given the hard-hitting pieces to report. Gradually this dynamic shifts, and after Tom has a sexist outburst and is fired, he is replaced by a younger man named Matt, while Kristen becomes the lead anchor on the program. This change in their workplace underscores the larger thematic correlation between the capacity to hurt and other kinds of power; as women gain physical power, Kristen gains professional power.

Kristen Character Timeline in The Power

The timeline below shows where the character Kristen appears in The Power. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...a few marine biologists to talk about electric eels, and two news anchors (Tom and Kristen) joke about using the girls to power Christmas tree lights. (full context)

Stories, History, and Perspective Theme Icon

...goddess who wielded lightning and bathed in the blood of her enemies. Tom says to Kristen, the other anchor: “That doesn’t sound like much of a beauty regime, now, does it,... (full context)

...girls teach each other. He says they should be trying to cure the power instead. Kristen cuts in, saying that a new study is finding that the power is caused by... (full context)

On the local news, Kristen’s face is grim as she announces that a terrorist group called Male Power has claimed... (full context)

The more Jocelyn tells the story, the easier it gets. She does an interview with Kristen and Matt, the young, attractive new anchor who has replaced Tom. Matt says it’s great... (full context)

The narration flashes to Kristen and Matt, discussing the issue. She assures him that they’re not talking about great guys... (full context)